Can Chiropractic Care Help GERD?
The Effects of GERD
GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the items in the stomach reflux back into the esophagus. The esophagus is what transfers food and drink from the mouth into the acidic stomach, and that leads to the burning taste in your throat and chest pain (aka heartburn).
Treatment for GERD includes lifestyle modifications or using proton pump inhibitors. For those who don’t find relief from these two options, a doctor would recommend surgery to tighten the hiatus, or putting an opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus travels before it connects with the stomach. Because there is a risk for long term effects with PPI use, as well as the want to avoid surgery, most sufferers seek out alternative approaches to manage their GERD. Today, we will go over some of these approaches.
Can Chiropractic Care Help GERD?
Some recent studies have been done on the use of manual therapies and conservative approaches to strengthen the surrounding muscles of the esophagus in order to prevent acid relfux coming from the stomach. One study was done that looked at the benefit of respiratory exercises that could strengthen the crura of the diaphragm. Researchers found that these exercises increased the sufferers quality of life and decreased their GERD symptoms.
Not only that, but their PPI use went down significantly. It was noted that the crura of the diaphragm is an important component of the anti reflux barrier because it functions as an extrinsic esophagogastric junction sphincter, A seperate study done also found that visceral manipulation had also led to significant improvements in all of these categories.
The most recent study done with 30 GERD patients looked at how myofascial release worked to improve GERD symptoms. Those involved in the study either had four 25 minute myofascial release sessions over two weeks, or four sham treatments in that same time frame. The participants in the myofascial group reported improvements in all categories directly after the treatment, and a month following. It has been found that myofasical release immediately lowers esophageal sphincter pressure.
Dr Golab's Chiropractic Can Help with GERD
Through these studies, we can see that there are alternative and conservative options for those struggling with GERD. You don’t have to worry about suffering from long term side effects or recovering from surgery to experience relief. Just call us today!
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