Reflux

​Esophageal hernia

• • A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity. The esophagus passes down through the diaphragm (the muscular plate that separates the chest cavity and the abdominal cavity) to the stomach.

• • The diaphragm separates the esophagus and stomach and helps the esophageal sphincter prevent food from flowing back into the esophagus after a meal and causing reflux (acid reflux).

• • ​In the United States, over 60 million people experience acid reflux and burning pain behind the breastbone (heartburn) at least once a month, and approximately 25 million suffer from the same problems daily.

Symptoms of GERD & Esophageal Hernia

• Burning pain behind the breastbone
• Acid reflux, especially when bending forward
• Problems lying on the left side
• Heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing​

Causes of GERD, hiatal hernia, reflux (acid reflux): Approximately 50% of these cases occur without a specific reason.

Other causes:

• Decreased tension (elasticity) of the sphincter muscle
• Decreased tension (elasticity) in the esophagus or stomach (neurological or thoracic spine locking)
• Altered blood circulation in the area (often due to high blood pressure in the veins)
• Decreased elasticity and movement of the esophagus
• Decreased tension (elasticity) and function of the diaphragm (the respiratory muscle)
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Osteopathic approach to GERD & esophageal hernia

Osteopathic treatment is effective for GERD, hiatal hernia, reflux (acid reflux) and for some esophageal problems.

• • Correct the tension (elasticity) of the esophagus, sphincter and stomach neurologically by correcting the back.

• • Normalize the pressure difference between the chest cavity and the abdomen by making the chest (back, sternum and ribs) flexible and by working with bloating from the abdominal region.

• • Manually stretch the esophagus, sphincter, and stomach to improve mobility of these structures.

• • Correct the tension (elasticity) and function of the diaphragm via the neck and thoracic spine.