Acid Reflux
Description
Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. Long-term acid reflux can damage the esophagus and lead to complications such as ulcers, Barrett's esophagus, and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Standard treatment options for acid reflux include lifestyle changes, medication, and sometimes even surgery.
Causes
Commonly thought causes of acid reflux, also known as GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), include consuming certain types of food, eating too much or too quickly, and not chewing food properly. Other listed factors include eating late at night, lying down after eating a meal, and consuming certain beverages, such as alcohol, soda, or tea. There are also certain lifestyle changes that are said to contribute to the risk of experiencing acid reflux, such as being overweight, smoking, and consuming caffeine. While all of these are possible triggers for acid reflux, the main cause is often not addressed; inflammation in and around the sphincter. The esophageal sphincter must close completely to keep stomach acid from flowing up into the esophagus. When there is a structural misalignment, it can impact the tissues surrounding the esophageal sphincter causing a distortion, which results in ongoing inflammation and an incomplete closure of the sphincter.
Primary Symptoms
General symptoms of acid reflux include heartburn, chest pain, a sour taste in the mouth, bloating, belching, and nausea. In some cases, acid reflux may cause a dry cough or difficulty swallowing.
Treatment Philosophy
The over-arching question is always..."why?" Why has acid reflux developed? What reasons are contributing or causing the symptoms?
A thorough history will be completed to discover what symptom patterns exist and structural alignment will be assessed. If the pelvis, spine, or shoulders are misaligned the ligaments, muscles, and tissues are not optimally positioned or functioning within the upper body and this leads to distortion and inflammation in and around the esophageal sphincter. That inflammation will be treated using Scenar. Structural misalignment will be corrected using Bowen.
Expected Outcomes
Utilizing both Bowen + Scenar will allow the esophageal sphincter to reposition resulting in complete closure. By treating the inflammation and alignment issues, more than 70% of people suffering with acid reflux experience resolution of their symptoms without medications. The results are generally achieved in 3 sessions or less. There is no reason to continue suffering. Acid reflux is not about the amount of stomach acid you have, it's about stomach acid flowing into the esophagus.