How is spine alignment related to my digestive tract?

All components of our bodies are interconnected and all of our systems also share in the same homeostasis more than just working together to keep us functional on a daily basis. Pain in one part of the body may be related to another such as common stomach sickness like indigestion, diarrhea and heartburn, which may be related to your spine alignment. By resolving the misalignments in the spine, you may be able to clear up chronic stomach troubles which has to do with knowledge of nerve bundles, blood supplies and the skeletal structure as a support system.

The digestive system and the spinal column

The digestive system converts food into nutrients necessary for the body to function and moves waste out of the body. The connection between the digestive system and the spinal column lies in the nervous system because the spine plays a role in relaying nerve signals from the brain to the rest of the body. For example, subluxation of a vertebra in the thoracic spine may affect how quickly you digest food and cause heartburn while subluxation in the lumbar spine may result in constipation. Depending on which vertebra is out of place and which nerve is being irritated, your body may encounter different digestive problems such as:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• General abdominal discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Constipation

How to keep a proper spine alignment in daily life?
Exercises and stretches

We all likely sit for most of the day at work and for entertainment. This may exacerbate your back pain and lead to poor posture. It can also affect the alignment of the spine over time. You can help reverse such effects with exercise and stretching. If you’ve ever been to a yoga class, you have likely done more than a few cat-cow poses. This pose stretches out the spine and alleviates pressure from the lower back and shoulders.

To do a cat-cow pose:

• Come onto all fours, with your hands and knees bearing equal weight. Start with a neutral spine.
• As you inhale, look slightly up and drop your abdomen toward the ground.
• As you exhale, bring your chin toward your chest and bring your belly button toward your spine.
• Repeat as often as you’d like, making sure that you move with your own breath.

Can a chiropractor help with digestive problems?

Chiropractors are able to gently manipulate your spine into proper alignment therefore your spine, nervous system and other affected areas of your body will improve function. If the misalignment was impacting your digestive system then you’ll notice an improvement rather quickly. In addition to spinal manipulation, a chiropractor may teach you mobility exercises, such as planks, to help strengthen your core muscles. They may also offer nutritional counseling and other healthy lifestyle advice to get your digestive system back in place. Our chiropractors at Lakeside Chiropractic are well equipped with the skills and knowledge to assist you in your recovery and preventing recurrence of abdominal discomfort. We provide massage, kinesiology taping, stretches, home strengthening exercises, posture correction devices and advice to help you get back to what you love! If you have any queries or would like to book and appointment, call us on (08) 9300 0095 or book online at www.lakesidechiro.com.au.