As chiropractic becomes a more well-known and widespread practice, people have begun to learn of its many benefits. Chiropractic is a holistic practice that focuses on the health and wellness of your body as a whole, including how the various parts and systems interact with one another. When new patients begin their treatment, it’s not uncommon for them to already possess a basic understanding of how your spine affects your body, most notably when it comes to pain, headaches, energy, and immunity.
There is, however, one major benefit that many people overlook. According to the National Institutes of Health, 60 to 70 million people are affected by digestive diseases. Chiropractic is an excellent treatment option when it comes to digestive health. How can that be? What makes chiropractic such an effective method when it comes to issues of the stomach and the gut? Read on for a deep dive on the subject.
To understand how the digestive system could be impacted by spinal misalignment, you must understand how your body communicates with itself. Your brain is the command center, sending electrical signals that help you respond to both internal and external stimuli. This is where the spinal cord comes in. Housed inside the protective sheath of the vertebrae, your spinal cord manages and transfers these signals from the brain to the rest of the body.
Your spine is remarkably strong and flexible, but it’s not immune to injury. Sometimes the vertebrae that make up your spinal column shift and move in a process or state known as “subluxation.” This may cause the discs to pinch and compress the nerves inside, cutting off the proper flow of electrical information. Pinched nerves in the spine are the leading cause of pain, headaches, and unoptimized bodily functions, including digestion. When your digestive tract is not operating at maximum efficiency, this dysfunction may lead to a number of symptoms. Everything from gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) to substance intolerances to general pain and discomfort in the abdominal region can be traced back to the digestive system.
Chiropractors are specially trained in the practice of realigning the vertebrae of the spine through gentle, unobtrusive adjustments. Through a series of adjustments and spinal stretches and exercises, a patient struggling with digestive health can treat their subluxation and be restored to full health. Here at DiBella Chiropractic, we treat patients with digestive health issues all the time. We invite you to contact us with any questions you may have. Say goodbye to abdominal cramps and heartburn, and schedule a consultation with us today!
