The digestive system is an intricate and extensive part of the body. It ranges all the way from the mouth to the rectum. The digestive system helps your body absorb essential nutrients and is responsible for getting rid of waste.
Digestion problems can mean more than unwanted symptoms. Minor problems that are left untreated can lead to more serious, chronic illnesses.
Because there are so many different types of digestion problems, you might mistakenly dismiss them. It’s important to understand common digestion problems — as well as emergency symptoms — so you know when to talk to a doctor. (Source)
Conditions may range from mild to serious. Some common problems include heartburn, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and lactose intolerance.
The first sign of problems in the digestive tract often includes one or more of the following symptoms:
Bleeding, Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea
Heartburn, Nausea and vomiting, Pain in the belly
Swallowing problems
Weight gain or loss
Gallstones, cholecystitis, and cholangitis
Rectal problems, such as anal fissure, hemorrhoids, proctitis, and rectal prolapse
Esophagus problems, such as stricture (narrowing) and achalasia and esophagitis
Stomach problems, including gastritis, gastric ulcers usually caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and cancer
Liver problems, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C, cirrhosis, liver failure, and autoimmune and alcoholic hepatitis
Pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst
Intestinal problems, such as polyps and cancer, infections, celiac disease, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, malabsorption, short bowel syndrome, and intestinal ischemia
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and hiatal hernia
Tests for digestive problems can include colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound. (Source)
Can a chiropractor help with digestive problems?
It’s quite common to visit the chiropractor for back or neck pain. But many people don’t think to go for other conditions. The truth is the spine is connected to every system in your body through the nervous system. This means that a chiropractor may be able to help with many problems of digestion.
Spine alignment and digestion are closely connected. When your spine is out of alignment it places stress on your nerves. In some cases, it could result in a pinched nerve. When nerves are pinched or irritated they aren’t able to function as well. This means they aren’t capable of sending the proper signals throughout your body, including to your digestive system.
The nerves in the neck and back can affect digestion. If this part is out of alignment then it’s possible that the nerves aren’t functioning well. This can lead to new or worsening digestive problems. Thankfully, a chiropractor can help treat your digestive issues using spinal adjustments.
Using Chiropractic Care to Help Digestive Conditions
A chiropractor is able to gently adjust your spine to remove pressure on your nerves. Once pressure is removed from your nervous system, and other affected areas of your body will improve function. If the misalignment was impacting your digestive system then you’ll start to notice an improvement.
A study found in the International Surgery journal said that roughly two-thirds of participants experiencing chronic abdominal pain had a herniated thoracic disc. Of those, another two-thirds had been previously diagnosed with IBS. The study further illustrates the connection between the spine and the digestive system. (Source)
Dr. Mooberry is a Denver chiropractor at Lifetime Wellness & Chiropractic. He is well versed in the care of digestion with chiropractic care. Dr. Isaac Mooberry is considered one of the leading experts in digestion across the nation.