Hiatal hernias occur when a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest. This condition can cause discomfort, heartburn, and digestive issues. While medications and surgery are common treatments, many people are seeking alternative approaches, such as chiropractic care, to address the symptoms and even help with the healing process. In this blog, we will explore how chiropractors can assist with managing hiatal hernias and improving digestive health.
What is a Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia develops when the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen, has an opening that is too large. This opening allows a part of the stomach to move up into the chest cavity. While small hiatal hernias may not cause any symptoms, larger ones can lead to pain, acid reflux, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing.
How Chiropractors Help with Hiatal Hernias
Hiatal Hernia Chiropractor offers a non-invasive treatment option to help alleviate the symptoms of hiatal hernias. Through a combination of manual adjustments, therapeutic techniques, and lifestyle advice, chiropractic care can support the body’s natural healing process.
Adjusting Hiatal Hernias
One of the most effective ways a chiropractor can help is by adjusting the position of the stomach. Chiropractors use specific spinal adjustments, particularly around the upper and mid-back, to relieve pressure on the diaphragm. This can help reposition the stomach and prevent the hernia from worsening. These adjustments not only help relieve discomfort but can also support better digestion.
By working on the spine, a chiropractor can improve the communication between the brain and the digestive system. This improves overall digestive function and helps manage symptoms like acid reflux and bloating that are often associated with hiatal hernias.
Therapeutic Massage for Hiatal Hernias
Another technique that can be beneficial for those suffering from a hiatal hernia is therapeutic massage. Therapeutic massage for hiatal hernias focuses on releasing tension in the muscles around the diaphragm and abdominal area. By relaxing these muscles, blood circulation improves, which can enhance the body’s ability to heal itself.
Therapeutic massage can also alleviate the pressure on the diaphragm and reduce discomfort caused by the hernia. Regular massage sessions can improve the elasticity of the diaphragm and other supporting muscles, helping them function more effectively. This, in turn, can ease symptoms like heartburn and indigestion.
A skilled chiropractor who offers therapeutic massage as part of their practice can also help break up adhesions that might form around the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, promoting better movement and comfort.
Lifestyle Tips to Help Hiatal Hernias Heal at Home
While chiropractic care is highly effective, lifestyle changes can also play an important role in managing hiatal hernias. Below are some tips to support healing and reduce discomfort at home.
- Eating Smaller Meals: Large meals can put pressure on the diaphragm and exacerbate symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Eating smaller, more frequent meals helps prevent this pressure and can aid digestion.
- Avoiding Trigger Foods: Certain foods can aggravate acid reflux, a common symptom of hiatal hernias. Spicy foods, citrus, caffeine, and fatty foods should be avoided to minimize flare-ups.
- Sleeping with the Head Elevated: When lying down, the stomach can put more pressure on the diaphragm, worsening symptoms. Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated can help reduce this pressure and prevent acid reflux.
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, can worsen hiatal hernia symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can ease the pressure on the diaphragm and support digestive health.
- Practicing Stress Management: Stress can contribute to digestive issues, including those associated with hiatal hernias. Finding time for relaxation techniques, such as yoga, deep breathing, or meditation, can help alleviate some of the discomforts caused by this condition.
By combining chiropractic care with these lifestyle changes, individuals can effectively manage their hiatal hernia symptoms and potentially speed up the healing process.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Digestive Health
Chiropractors focus on the relationship between the spine and nervous system. Since the nervous system plays a key role in controlling digestive function, chiropractic care can positively affect digestion. A chiropractor may use adjustments to the spine and surrounding muscles to reduce tension and restore proper function to the digestive system.
A digestive health chiropractor will work to improve the alignment of the spine and correct any misalignments that may interfere with nerve function. These misalignments, known as subluxations, can affect the nerves that control the stomach and intestines, potentially leading to digestive problems. By realigning the spine, chiropractic care can help the body function more efficiently, reducing symptoms like acid reflux, bloating, and indigestion that often accompany hiatal hernias.
Conclusion
Hiatal hernias can be uncomfortable and disrupt daily life, but chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive way to help manage symptoms and support healing. Through spinal adjustments, therapeutic massage, and lifestyle changes, chiropractors can address the underlying causes of the hernia and improve overall digestive health.
If you are struggling with a hiatal hernia and are looking for a holistic approach to healing, consulting a chiropractor might be a beneficial step. They can provide the treatment and advice you need to help manage symptoms and support your body’s natural ability to heal.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit The Brost Clinic.