Chiropractic Care for Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges through the large muscle to separate your abdomen and diaphragm. Also known as the hiatus, the diaphragm is a small opening that connects the esophagus with the stomach. When you have a hiatal hernia, the stomach is pushing up into the chest.

Many people actually walk around with small hiatal hernias without any awareness. It isn’t until hiatal hernias grow larger that people begin to experience symptoms. Large hiatal hernias create constant misery because they allow food and acid to back up into the esophagus.

While we know that hiatal hernias occur when weakened tissue allows the stomach to bulge up into the diaphragm, there isn’t always a clear answer behind why some people develop this condition. However, common risk factors are often to blame. Take a look:

It’s also not uncommon for people with hiatal hernias to experience anxiety. In fact, a “hernia attack” can easily be confused with a panic attack. Over time, the distressing symptoms of a hiatal hernia can also begin to trigger anxiety and dread. If you’re living with a hiatal hernia, you may already be at the point where you dread eating and drinking because you never know when a severe episode will be triggered.

Many people living with hiatal hernias find that certain foods trigger symptoms. Foods that trigger hiatal hernia symptoms are known to contain components that weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. While the goal should be to address the cause of a hiatal sphincter at the source, knowing which foods to avoid while you’re on the road to recovery can save you from unneeded misery. Here’s a look:

Many people living with hiatal hernias never get the proper treatment needed to finally live a symptom-free life. Unfortunately, hiatal hernias are often improperly diagnosed. Many people wrongly assume that they are living with a simple case of acid reflux. As a result, they try to manage symptoms without actually addressing the underlying issue. This often leads people to become reliant on antacids and heartburn medication. However, these treatments never actually resolve the underlying cause of why acid is reaching the esophagus. Over time, acid reaching the esophagus creates long-term damage and dysfunction. This is why treating issues related to acid reflux at the root is essential.

The treatment required for a hernia is very different from the treatment needed for acid reflux. A hernia can only be repaired by shifting the stomach back into place to remove pressure from the diaphragm. Next, discover how chiropractors make it possible to repair a hiatal hernia without drugs, surgery, or long-term recovery.

Isn’t chiropractic care just for the spine? Many people don’t realize that chiropractic care can help to successfully treat a myriad of digestive issues. While chiropractors have expertise in back, neck, and spinal issues, they are actually trained to treat and support the entire musculoskeletal system.

Chiropractors can approach hiatal hernias from a number of different angles. In most cases, a gentle manual adjustment is all that’s needed to restore balance. During a manual adjustment for a hiatal hernia, the chiropractor physically pulls the stomach back down below the diaphragm using a procedure called the hiatal hernia technique. The patient will either be positioned standing up or reclined on a treatment table while this technique is performed.

Knowing what to expect while the hiatal hernia technique is being performed can be helpful. It’s not uncommon for the patient to experience some degree of discomfort while the hiatal hernia technique is being performed. However, most patients experience immediate relief once the technique is completed. In fact, you may find that you can suddenly take a much deeper, fuller breath than you could once the pain and pressure of the hernia subside following an adjustment. However, this immediate relief is not a sign that the hernia has been completely resolved. Multiple adjustments are often needed to produce lasting results.

While the hiatal hernia technique is the most common natural treatment for a hiatal hernia, chiropractors can perform a number of other adjustments that help to support and strengthen the muscles of the digestive system. For instance, an adjustment called the diaphragmatic release is used to reduce the tension within the diaphragm that could be contributing to spasms. This adjustment can also help to relieve tension surrounding the rib cage.

Chiropractors may also focus on the neck and back when treating a hiatal hernia. Adjustments in these areas can affect nerves that connect to the diaphragm. Finally, chiropractors will look for any misalignments that could be causing tension and inflammation that contribute to spasms within the digestive system.

According to doctors at Johns Hopkins University, repeated exposure to stomach acid increases a person’s risk for esophageal cancer. This only makes the need to get your hiatal hernia treated more urgent. In addition, chronic acid exposure can cause dental erosion that dissolves tooth enamel to make teeth more susceptible to damage and decay.