This post is part of our complete guide to Chiropractic Care in Medical Lake. Browse the guide for more in-depth information on treatments, exercises, and recovery strategies.
The Effects of GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known, as GERD occurs when the contents of the stomach reflux back into the esophagus. This causes a burning taste and heartburn in the chest. The esophagus transfers food back up from the stomach into the throat. Can be painful. Common GERD treatment includes lifestyle, changes, and the use of a PPI or proton pump inhibitor. Sometimes, patients don’t find relief from either of these treatments. You may ask, what happens then?
A doctor would most likely recommend surgery to take in the hiatus, or add an opening into the diaphragm where the esophagus travels before connecting to the stomach. With surgery comes many risks, but did you know that the PPI Comes with the risk of long-term side effects? Because of these risks, patients are constantly looking for alternative, more conservative treatments to help with their GERD symptoms. Let’s take a look into some of these today.
Ready to feel better?
The team at Essential Health Group can help. Same-week appointments available in Medical Lake & Spokane.
Can Chiropractic Treatment Help GERD?
Some studies have been done on the use of manual therapies to treat GERD. What these therapies do is strengthen the esophagus and surrounding muscles. This prevents acid reflux from coming up from the stomach and into the throats. One study looked at the benefit of respiratory exercises to strengthen the crura of the diaphragm. The study found that these exercises did increase the patient’s quality of life by decreasing GERD symptoms. The use of the PPI went down following these exercises as well. The crura of the diaphragm is an important component of the antireflux barrier, which is important to mention because the antireflux barrier functions as an extrinsic esophagogastric junction sphincter. A seperate study found that visceral manipulation has also led to improvements for patients in the above categories.
The most recent study took 30 patients with GERD and divided them in half. The goal was to look at the difference between myofascial release and sham treatments. 15 patients received four 25 minute myofascial release sessions over two weeks. 15 other patients received four sham treatments in the same timeframe. Those in the myofascial group reported improvements in all categories, directly after treatment, as well as a month after. Those in the sham group treatment did not experience the same results.
Through these studies, we can see that conservative approaches are much more safe, and can even be more affordable than treatments like surgery and the use of PPI. Long-term effects and pain are something you don’t need to worry about when it comes to treating your GERD. Call us today for an appointment if you have been struggling with GERD symptoms.
Essential Health Group and GERD
At Essential Health Group, we can certainly help with the effects of GERD through our manual manipulation care.
We aim to get all patients out of pain and back to feeling great again. We accept insurances and would love to help you. Schedule a time to come and and we’ll sit down with you and get you help you need.
Ready to feel better?
Our team at Essential Health Group in Medical Lake & Spokane is here to help. Same-week appointments available.
Dr. Christopher Wellwood, NP-C, MSN, DC, MS
Dr. Christopher Wellwood is a dual Board Certified Chiropractic Physician and Family Nurse Practitioner — a combination that puts him in a category of his own. His Doctorate in Chiropractic comes from the University of Western States, and his Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from Purdue University.
His clinical focus spans physical medicine, regenerative injection therapy (prolotherapy, PRP, stem cell, ozone), interventional pain management, functional neurology, and primary care. He is a published author in scientific journals — his research on adrenal and thyroid disease treatment is indexed in the Library of Medicine — and served as a Clinical Research Specialist at the Center for Health Research, contributing to the Premier Blood Pressure Study.
Dr. Wellwood believes the body has the ability to heal itself when given the right conditions. His approach addresses root causes rather than symptoms, combining conservative physical medicine with regenerative therapies to help patients recover, adapt, and thrive.