What are Acid Reflux and Heartburn?
When stomach acid leaks into the esophagus, it irritates the lining causing heartburn or acid reflux. Heartburn, as the term implies, can feel like something in your chest is burning. Acid reflux is when a burning, gassy bile feels like it is coming back up.
Certain foods can cause acid reflux and/or heartburn on occasion, and laying down after eating can bring on these symptoms. Some patients experience these symptoms more frequently, and it may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease. This condition can be quite debilitating.
Signs and Symptoms of Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Some symptoms you will experience with heartburn include the burning sensation in the chest (especially after eating or laying down), belching, and a bitter, sulfuric taste in the back of the mouth. You will experience the same effects with acid reflux, as reflux and heartburn often go hand in hand. Reflux will also cause you to regurgitate bits of food after eating.
Both conditions will contribute to gassiness, stomach pain, and excessive saliva production. In some cases, the pain may be mild; in other cases, the pain can be so extreme that patients may think they are suffering from a heart attack.
Poor lifestyle choices may be behind acid reflux and/or heartburn, but not always. There may be other underlying issues, such as a misalignment of the upper cervical spine.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Effects Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Doctors often recommend antacids and other medications, as well as a change in diet, to combat acid reflux and heartburn. If these have little to no effect, it may be that the problem is a misalignment of the upper cervical spine.
The Central Nervous System (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal column. The CNS regulates all of the body's functions, including peristalsis. Peristalsis dictates the direction food flows through the digestive tract.
The upper cervical spine consists of the uppermost seven vertebrae that go from the base of the skull and down the neck. This is right where the spinal column conjoins with the brain stem. If these vertebrae are misaligned, it can interfere with the signals sent from the CNS to the digestive tract, resulting in digestive disorders like heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
How Our Acid Reflux and Heartburn Treatments Work
We strive to help patients with heartburn and acid reflux by getting to the root of the problem: by examining and correcting any misalignments of the upper cervical spine. Dr. Bejian Shamloo is an Upper Cervical Specialist who can restore the proper functioning of the digestive tract by treating the spine using drug-free, non-invasive, natural methods.
At Upper Spine Knoxville, Dr. Shamloo and our team focus on removing the issue that interferes with the body's normal functioning. Using state-of-the-art advanced 3D imaging and infrared thermography, Dr. Shamloo can conduct a thorough exam of the upper cervical spine. This takes the guesswork out of chiropractic treatment so that the doctor can use gentle yet precise corrections, bringing the spine into proper alignment. Once realigned, the body can begin healing and natural processes will resume.
Dr. Shamloo provides upper cervical chiropractic treatment for patients in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.
