Reflux, also known as heartburn, is a common digestive disorder that affects many pregnant women. It occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation or discomfort in the chest area. In this blog post, we will explore the different causes of reflux during pregnancy, discuss the role of hiatal hernia, and highlight the potential benefits of chiropractic care in managing this condition.

Causes of Reflux During Pregnancy:
1. Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, the body experiences an increase in the hormones progesterone and relaxin. These hormones work to relaxes the muscles to help create more space for the growing baby. However, it also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally acts as a barrier to prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. The relaxation of the LES can lead to reflux symptoms.

2. Pressure on the Stomach: As the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach, pushing the stomach contents upward and causing reflux.

3. Diet and Lifestyle Factors: Certain foods, such as spicy or fatty foods, citrus fruits, and caffeine, can trigger reflux symptoms. Additionally, eating large meals, lying down immediately after eating, or consuming carbonated beverages can exacerbate reflux during pregnancy.

Hiatal Hernia and its Connection to Reflux:
A hiatal hernia is a condition where a portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity through the diaphragm, which separates the abdomen from the chest. This causes a pinching of the stomach, and leads to reflux symptoms. Hiatal hernias can be congenital or develop over time due to factors like obesity, aging, or pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growing uterus can put pressure on the stomach and contribute to the development or worsening of a hiatal hernia, increasing the likelihood of reflux symptoms.

What we can do:
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to managing reflux during pregnancy. Research suggests that chiropractic adjustments can help improve the function of the diaphragm and reduce the pressure on the stomach, thus alleviating reflux symptoms.

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that pregnant women who received chiropractic care experienced a significant reduction in reflux symptoms compared to those who did not receive treatment. The adjustments performed by chiropractors focused on realigning the spine and improving nervous system function, leading to improved overall body function, including the digestive system.

At Eastridge Chiropractic, our chiropractors are also trained to perform a hiatal hernia pull procedure, which helps reduce the pinching of the top of the stomach by the diaphragm. We also perform soft tissue work to help the diaphragm function better and reduce reflux symptoms. Research shows improvement in reflux symptoms with diaphragmatic breating, and we instruct on these techniques. One of our favorite is called “box breathing”:

1. Laying on your back with your knees bent, place one hand on your upper chest and shoulder, and one hand on your stomach

2. First let’s check in on our breathing technique. Take a deep breath in - where do you feel the breath going? We DON’T want to feel your upper chest and shoulder going up and down toward your shoulder as you breathe. We DO want to feel your belly going up and down, and feel our breath going 360 degrees into our rib cage.

3. NOW, we box breathe! Keep your hands in the same position and take a long, deep diaphragmatic breath while counting to 5. Now hold this breath in for 5 seconds.

4. Take a deep, full breath out while counting to 5. Hold this for 5 seconds before repeating the cycle with another 5 second inhale and hold.

5. Perform 10-20 of these breaths before bed to help relax, or whenever you notice reflux symptoms are worse.

Another top recommendation we give to our patients is digestive enzymes or papaya enzymes (check out our Fullscript Dispensary here for our favorite professional grade brands at a 10% discount). These are substances which help with the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients. Taking digestive or papaya enzymes before meals can assist in improving digestion and reducing the occurence of reflux symptoms.

Chiropractors may also provide guidance on lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and proper posture, to further support the management of reflux symptoms during pregnancy.

Conclusion:
Reflux during pregnancy can be attributed to hormonal changes, increased pressure on the stomach, the presence of a hiatal hernia and diet. While reflux can be uncomfortable, chiropractic care offers a natural and holistic approach to managing the symptoms. Through spinal adjustments, soft tissue work and lifestyle recommendations, chiropractors can help pregnant women find relief from reflux and improve their overall well-being. Read more about chiropractic care during pregnancy here.