Acid reflux or more commonly called heartburn is a chronic digestive disease. This condition happens when there is an accumulation of bile or acid in the esophagus. If it happens a couple of times a week or for weeks, the constant passage of acid can irritate your esophagus causing it to inflame. This inflammation can break down the lining of the esophagus and cause ulcers, narrowing of the esophagus, or Barrett’s esophagus which is a pre-cancerous condition.
About Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is very common in middle-aged and older populations. Although younger populations have been developing this condition at an alarming rate. There are some factors that can increase the odds of developing heartburn like obesity, smoking, asthma, and caffeine intake. However, a reversal in the lower and mid-back can increase the pressure on the stomach and the esophagus, inhibiting the stomach muscles reflex activity.
What’s even more interesting is that an abnormal curvature of the low and mid-back can increase pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that come out of the spine that is responsible for every human body function. This pressure can be very harmful to the nerves and affect the function of the digestive system.
Causes of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is also referred to as heartburn. When you have heartburn for a long period of time, it can damage your esophagus and in some people it can even cause cancer. This is a serious condition that can be way more severe than just discomfort.
The most common causes of acid reflux are the lfollowing:
- Hiatal hernias – this is when your stomach is pushing through a hole in the diaphragm called hiatus. The stomach can press on that part of the esophagus and cause food and acid to come back up.
- Obesity – Excessive fat can put pressure on your stomach and promote acid flow from your stomach to the esophagus.
- Poor eating habits – If you eat a lot of fatty and spicy foods this can cause acid reflux.
- Pregnancy – growing another human inside you can push your organs up and cause heartburn.
There are other things that can be linked to acid reflux like:
- Poor posture
- Smoking
- Some medications
- stress
Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Symptoms and signs of acid reflux include:
- Acidic taste in mouth
- Chest pain
- A choking feeling in throat
- Feeling like the esophagus is blocked
- Difficulty swallowing
- Burning sensation down the throat
- Nausea
How Chiropractic Can Help With Acid Reflux
Getting regular spinal adjustments can help normalize and reactivate the nerves supply to your abdomen. This will start healing the damage in the esophagus and stomach once nervous activity increases and blood and nutrients start flowing again.
When there is more normal nervous supply to your abdomen it can strengthen your stomach muscles and reduce the pressure that is placed on it.
By using precise measurements of your spinal curvatures, chiropractors can restore these curvatures to their normal position. This will decrease the pressure on your spinal nerves and the esophagus.
Other Ways You Can Relieve Acid Reflux
- Eat smaller meals and more frequently in your day
- Eat slowly to allow your body to digest
- Avoid fried, spicy foods
- Wait three hours after eating a meal to exercise or lie down
- Take daily probiotics to improve the healthy gut biome
- Strengthen your abdomen muscles to help relieve pressure on the stomach.
Chiropractic Care In The Orlando Area
If you’re having acid reflux issues and need some relief, chiropractic care can help. Schedule an appointment at one of our 9 Mauricio Chiropractic locations and start feeling better!
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We provide advanced spinal correction utilizing “state of the art” chiropractic techniques. Never in the history of chiropractic have we been able to provide the level of help and expertise that now exists. These newer correction methods are even safer, more comfortable and more effective than ever before. As Doctors of Chiropractic,Our Team has years of training and experience in spinal adjustment.