Looking for a Chiropractor Near Me in Calgary AB to fix you Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia?
Dr. Matt McManus at Associate Chiropractic Clinic can help!
A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of someone’s stomach bulges through the large muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest.
The Chiropractic treatment for this condition is not your typical adjustment that people think of with quick movements and joints cavitating. It is called a Hiatal Hernia Reduction and it is non-invasive and uses gentle manipulation inward to hook the top edge of the stomach and strong yet slow downward pull to ease the stomach back to its natural position. This frees the hiatus from the pressure. It usually takes several adjustments to achieve optimal results, but most people notice mild to moderate improvement immediately after just a single adjustment. Pairing this technique with a standard chiropractic adjustment to the spine to target the joints, muscles and nervous system provide the most optimal treatment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from this condition call Associate Chiropractic Clinic in Calgary AB and book with Dr. Matt McManus to get relief today.
CALL: 403-230-9003
Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia develops when a part of your stomach bulges up through the muscle separating your abdomen from your diaphragm. The diaphragm features a small hole that allows food to pass through and move into the stomach. When someone has a hiatal hernia, the stomach passes into that hole.
Hiatal hernias can be large or small.
Smaller hernias rarely cause problems. Many people have them and don’t even realize it. However, if a hiatal hernia is large, it means food and stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus.
There are also two types of hiatal hernias:
Sliding, which occurs when a portion of the stomach moves up
Paraesophageal, which occurs when another abdominal organ moves upwards
Causes
Weak muscles and weak diaphragm are the primary cause of a hiatal hernia. Muscles might weaken due to:
Aging
Injury
Poor Posture/Breathing
Chronic coughing
Frequent vomiting
Straining during bowel movements
Exercising
Lifting heavy objects
Birth defects
Pregnancy
Symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of a hiatal hernia is heartburn, which is often severe. Other symptoms include:
Regurgitation of food or liquids into the mouth
Swallowing difficulties
Backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus (acid reflux)
Pain in the chest or abdomen
Feeling full with just a small amount of food
Shortness of breath
Vomiting blood
Passing black stool due to gastrointestinal bleeding
How Chiropractors Can Help Hiatal Hernias
Chiropractic treatment effectively alleviates a hiatal hernia because it targets the underlying issues. Chiropractors use specific manipulation techniques to ease the hernia back into place called the Hiatal Hernia Reduction.
Chiropractic Adjustments and Hiatal Hernias
Chiropractic adjustments help the nerves that run into the diaphragm, which relieves the pressure and tightness associated with a hiatal hernia. It might not “cure” the problem, but it improves digestive function and relaxes the muscles in the abdomen and is an essential part of the overall treatment in conjunction with the Hiatal Hernia Reduction technique.
Home Care for Hiatal Hernias
Self-massage is an effective at-home treatment for easing the effects of a hiatal hernia. A professional, therapeutic massage offers even more relief.
The massage technique used to treat a hiatal hernia is as follows:
Locate the breastbone
Place the tips of your fingers about an inch or so below the base of your breastbone
Press in three directions: first up, then in, and then down
Using a constant rolling motion, press the tips of your fingers into this soft area an inch or so from the base of the breastbone in an upward
Continue this for about one minute
Do this for one minute, three or more times each day
Lifestyle Tips to Help Hiatal Hernias Heal At Home
In addition to chiropractic adjustment, lifestyle changes also help manage the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Your chiropractor can help you make adjustments to your lifestyle, including:
Dietary changes
Decreasing serving/portion sizes
Eating smaller, more frequent meals
Losing weight
Sleeping with your head elevated by approximately 8 inches higher than your abdomen
Not eating at least two to three hours before going to bed
Avoid eating certain triggers, such as fried, spicy, or high-fat foods, caffeine, alcohol, and more (triggers vary from person to person)
Quitting smoking
Avoiding tight-fitting clothing
Conclusion
A hiatal hernia is usually not a serious medical problem, but it can be extremely uncomfortable and disruptive. Moderate to severe hiatal hernias cause pain and make everyday life challenging.
You should contact a doctor if you experience any of the following in conjunction with a hiatal hernia:
Can’t pass gas
Can’t have a bowel movement
Feelings of nausea
Vomiting
Chest pain
In addition to the lifestyle changes that can help you manage hiatal hernia, a chiropractic adjustment gets to the underlying cause of the problem and helps you alleviate the discomfort associated with the condition.
If you or a loved one is suffering from this condition call Associate Chiropractic Clinic in Calgary AB and book with Dr. Matt McManus to get relief today.
CALL: 403-230-9003
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