If you suffer from Acid Reflux, you are not a stranger to heartburn, a burning sensation in the lower chest region caused by the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus.
When you eat, food travels through your esophagus (which is alkaline) into your stomach (which is acidic). Your stomach has protective mechanisms to deal with the acidity that your esophagus lacks.
Therefore, it is very important to keep the acid in the stomach and avoid any back up into the esophagus. The cardiac sphincter, located at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, is responsible for this.
It functions like a doorway. The cardiac sphincter relaxes to allow food to move into the stomach and contracts to close and keep the digestive contents in the stomach. When the cardiac sphincter isn’t working properly and closing effectively, acid reflux (backward flow of the digestive contents) occurs.
While most people are aware of lifestyle changes and medications to help decrease their acid reflux symptoms, many don’t know that it is possible to improve the function of the cardiac sphincter. Treatment of the cardiac sphincter through Visceral Manipulation, a gentle manual therapy, enhances its ability to do its job effectively. Better “doorway” function means less heartburn for you.
If you’re ready to experience the difference Visceral Manipulation offers, visit our website to schedule an appointment with me.
Jill Fraundorf, PT, MS
CALL TO SCHEDULE WITH JILL: 262.264.8701
