Digestive problems are extremely common. Nearly everyone experiences occasional digestive upset as a result of poor diet choices or stress, but up to 40% of Americans have digestive issues that disrupt their daily life. And 60-70 million people suffer from some type of digestive disease annually in the United States. Digestive issues are so pervasive primarily due to our fast-paced, high-stress lifestyle and poor diet, mainly consisting of the SAD diet (the Standard American Diet), which consists of convenient, poor-quality processed foods.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a chronic disorder in which acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn, acid reflux, and regurgitation. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both with abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating. The most common symptoms of digestive problems are abdominal pain and cramping, bloating and gas, heartburn and acid reflux, constipation and diarrhea, and even nausea and vomiting. As mentioned before, the main causes of digestive issues are typically related to poor lifestyle, primarily poor diet consisting of processed food with little to no nutritional value. Still, they can also be caused by underlying conditions like GERD, IBS, Celiac disease (a gluten allergy), or Crohn’s disease (an autoimmune issue).
These symptoms can range from mildly annoying to outright debilitating, severely disrupting quality of life. Experiencing mild digestive symptoms, such as gas or bloating, after a big meal or after eating processed food, is much more tolerable than having to be near a bathroom because symptoms are so severe constantly.
In many cases of digestive disorders, misaligned vertebrae become irritated and directly affect the digestive organs. Regular chiropractic care may help improve digestive issues by correcting spinal subluxations and restoring normal digestive function. Chiropractic can also help reduce pressure on the gastrointestinal tract. Many patients report improved digestion after specific chiropractic adjustments. Stress can play a big role in causing or exacerbating digestive issues. When the nervous system is in a “Fight or Flight” mode due to acute or chronic stress, the Vagus nerve (which begins at the base of the skull and travels down to the gut) becomes aggravated, leading to digestive issues. Chiropractic adjustments can shift the body into a more relaxed, “rest and digest” state, allowing for better digestion.
The typical treatment for digestive issues is medications such as antacids, PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), and H2 blockers. Hopefully, dietary and lifestyle changes are addressed. A chiropractor will get to the root cause of the problem, not just manage symptoms with medications. Subluxations in the spine can irritate the organs responsible for digestion. A chiropractor will correct misalignments, restoring nerve function, allowing the body to function better and heal.
$99 New Patient Special
Includes consultation with your doctor, thorough chiropractic examination and customized plan of action. Excludes Medicare.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Discover The Root Cause
Instead of chasing symptoms, we take time to find out why you’re experiencing them. Our thorough exam helps reveal the underlying issues so we can address them with confidence.
2. Your Goals. Our Findings.
We combine your goals, your lifestyle and your expectations with our clinical findings to build a clear, personalized plan aligned with where you want to go.
3. Become A Stronger, Healthier Version Of You
With consistent, corrective-focused care, you don’t just feel better—you function better. We’re here to help you rebuild your health from within and be your best self.
How We Improve Digestion In Westford, MA
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
A thorough health history is necessary when a patient’s chief complaint is digestive issues, as many contributing factors may be involved, including lifestyle, stress levels, medications, past treatments, and, of course, diet. When a patient presents at our office, in addition to a detailed consultation and history, we perform a complete examination that includes a thermography scan, posture analysis, a nerve scope to detect nerve irritation, static and dynamic palpation, and full spinal x-rays.
Our thorough exam allows us to determine the cause of the digestive issues and identify the spinal misalignments. We confirm that on the X-ray. Once we gather all the examination findings, we determine a corrective care plan to ensure the patient gets the best possible results.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Westford, MA
The nervous system is the body’s master system and directly influences the digestive system. In fact, a large portion of the autonomic nervous system is inside the walls of the GI tract, known as the enteric system. A healthy nervous system is crucial for gut health. A subluxation in the spine, which can create nerve interference, can disrupt the gut-brain connection, resulting in symptoms such as indigestion, heartburn, reflux, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. We detect subluxations through a thorough chiropractic examination and then correct them with specific chiropractic adjustments, restoring proper nerve flow.
A chiropractic adjustment can greatly improve digestive issues by removing nerve interference, allowing the body to function properly and restore healing. An adjustment can also move the body from a high-stress “fight or flight” mode to a “rest and digest” mode, improving digestion. The chiropractic care in our practice is very specific, and we get great results.
Nutritional Guidance
We provide nutritional recommendations for all our patients, especially those with gut issues. We always recommend a diet of whole foods, with no processed or packaged foods. We emphasize eating lean animal protein such as beef, chicken, eggs, and fish, as well as healthy fats. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber, but some vegetables, such as cruciferous veggies, can aggravate digestive issues. Foods that cause excess gas, such as some vegetables, beans, and nuts, should be avoided. Other foods to avoid include gluten, processed foods, fast food, foods high in sugar, and alcohol. Some people may be sensitive to coffee, chocolate, tomato products, and spicy foods.
While diet change is first and foremost, some supplements can help with digestive issues. Apple cider vinegar, digestive enzymes, ginger, magnesium, prebiotics and probiotics, and oil of oregano are natural ways to lessen digestive upset, reduce bloating, and strengthen the intestinal barrier. However, getting to the root cause of digestive symptoms first is crucial.
Common Digestion Problems in Westford, MA
GERD
GERD is Gastroesophageal reflux disease and is characterized by stomach acid regurgitating back upwards into the esophagus, irritating the lining. The esophageal sphincter does not close properly, and this results in symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, acid reflux, and pain. GERD is a chronic condition and, if left untreated, can result in long-term damage.
The cause is mechanical: the lower esophageal sphincter fails to close properly, allowing acid to reflux into the esophagus. This can be very painful and irritating. Chiropractic care can help alleviate symptoms by correcting subluxations of the spine that innervate the digestive system, particularly in the mid-back. A chiropractor will address the root cause of the problem (subluxations) as well as any lifestyle and diet factors.
IBS
IBS is short for irritable bowel syndrome, which is characterized by constipation, diarrhea (or both), abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and cramping. IBS affects the large intestine (the colon) and affects people. The causes of IBS are numerous, but typically, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract is irritated, and communication between the brain and the gut via the Vagus nerve is altered. A poor diet, with a lack of fiber, prebiotics, protein, and healthy fats, and mostly processed and packaged foods, can irritate the gut as well. Increased stress can also irritate the colon.
Chiropractic care can relieve pressure on the vertebrae and, therefore, the nerves that innervate the stomach and colon. By correcting subluxations in the mid back and lower back, balance is restored in the gut and digestive system, and IBS symptoms are lessened. Regular chiropractic care also helps the body better manage stress, improving gut-brain communication.
Constipation and Diarrhea
Constipation and diarrhea occur when the bowels move either too slowly or too quickly, respectively. The causes can be many, such as IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome), dietary factors and food intolerance, stress, and other conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), or Celiac disease.
Chiropractic care can help improve symptoms of constipation and diarrhea by getting to the root cause of the problem. Chiropractors correct spinal misalignments and restore proper nerve flow to the digestive system. This can speed up intestinal motility if constipation is the issue or slow down digestion if bowels are moving too fast.
Bloating and Gas
Although not normal, bloating and gas are common digestive complaints. Typically, excess flatulence, burping, and “feeling full” and uncomfortable are the symptoms. There are many causes, such as poor food choices (fatty, fried foods) or foods that naturally produce more gas, like beans and some vegetables. Increased stress, constipation, and nerve irritation can also cause gas and bloating.
Chiropractic care can relieve the annoying symptoms of gas and bloating by correcting subluxations (misalignments) in the spine that may be interfering with nerve signals to the digestive organs. Adjustments relieve uncomfortable pressure in the mid back and low back and can relieve gas and bloating. Chiropractors can also recommend dietary modifications to lessen the symptoms of gas and bloating.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia is the proper term for indigestion. Indigestion is upper abdominal pain, bloating, or burning that occurs after eating. There is usually a feeling of being very full and uncomfortable after eating. Burping and bloating can also be symptoms. The causes of indigestion are numerous and can range from lifestyle factors like high stress, poor diet, or underlying conditions like GERD or ulcers.
Chiropractors will address the root cause of indigestion rather than covering up the symptoms with medication. A chiropractor will also address lifestyle factors that may be contributing to symptoms, such as diet and stress management. Additionally, a chiropractor will look to the spine and nervous system for areas of spinal misalignment that could be irritating the nerves that are responsible for digestion. By adjusting the misaligned vertebra and restoring proper nerve flow and function, indigestion can be relieved.
Check Out Our Location Near You
234 Littleton Rd Unit B Suite 1A, Westford, MA 01886
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractors in Westford, MA help with digestive issues?
We have had great results with people suffering from gut problems because we get to the root of the symptoms rather than just covering them up with medication. Chiropractic restores healthy nerve function, thereby improving digestion. Subluxations (misalignments of the spinal bones) can irritate the nerves that control digestion.
Can a misaligned spine cause digestive issues?
Yes, a misaligned spine can cause digestive issues. The nerves that innervate the stomach and digestive organs can be irritated when a spinal bone is misaligned.
What part of the spine controls digestion?
Digestion is innervated from nerves in the thoracic spine (T5-T9) and the lumbar (low back) and sacral area. The Vagus nerve, which originates in the brainstem and travels to the gut, also controls digestion. Spinal misalignments (subluxations) can irritate nerves, leading to decreased blood flow and digestive issues.
Can tight back muscles cause digestive problems?
Yes, tight muscles can cause digestive problems because the muscles in the mid- and low back stabilize and protect your spine, which is also responsible for digestion. Tight muscles result when a spinal bone is misaligned. The muscles will spasm to protect the joints. Muscles can also become tight due to stress, a sedentary lifestyle, or prolonged sitting.
Can chiropractic help with bowel movements?
Specific and gentle chiropractic adjustments can help with bowel movements and relieve constipation. When vertebrae in the lower back and sacrum are misaligned, the nerves that supply the digestive issues and specifically the lower colon, become irritated, reducing blood flow and slowing digestion, causing constipation. Correcting subluxations can improve digestion and increase bowel movement frequency in adults, children, and even babies.
$99 New Patient Special
Includes consultation with your doctor, thorough chiropractic examination and customized plan of action. Excludes Medicare.