And why you shouldn’t ignore it.
19 million people who have a chronic form of heartburn known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), untreated symptoms can lead to a variety of health complications.
- Throat and voice problems (silent reflux) – dry cough, hoarseness or sore throat
- Breathing problems
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Chest pain
- Esophagitis
- Esophageal stricture or difficulty swallowing
- Esophageal ulcers
- Barrett’s Esophagus (pre-cancer)
- Esophageal cancer
In addition to health risks, GERD symptoms can impact a person’s health and quality of life because of problems with food, drink, and sleep, as well as social and physical limitations. There are also financial repercussions due to buying so many heartburn meds.
So, what to do about it? Visceral Manipulation
Medications (oh by the way had sales totaling approximately $13. 6 billion worldwide in 2009) have serious side effects including increased risk for C difficile, pneumonia, organ damage, muscle spasms, dementia, kidney disease, heart attacks, fractures, and heart palpitations.
Medications also treat only one factor in GERD, which is not always addressing the SOURCE of the problem. Visceral Manipulation can treat the mechanical and pressure related causes of dysfunction that lead to symptoms. Many times patients see results in as little as 2 or 3 sessions.
Also, if you have persistent neck issues that haven’t resolved with traditional forms of treatment, there may be something more going on related to the same mechanisms contributing to your heartburn. Your esophagus starts at the lower part of your neck and has many fascial connections that can impact your neck’s mobility. Look for a therapist that specializes in visceral and neural manipulation to address those issues.