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Digestion and Osteopathy

Digestion

Issues with digestion are diverse, and some may respond well to osteopathic treatment.
Digestion and Osteopathy

Functional Issues with Digestion

A functional condition is one that affects function, but not structure. An example of this is IBS: scans or biopsies would not be able to diagnose IBS without the case history. These conditions are often linked to stress or anxiety, but this is not to say they are made up. By definition, functional disorders of digestion involve changes such as altered nervous system processing, a change in gut bacteria, or altered motility through the GI tract.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

We have mentioned before how stress can cause digestive problems by activating the fight or flight response. The fight or flight response is not intended to be activated for a long time, but modern life subjects us to longer term stressors. When escaping from predators, we would have wanted our blood to flow to our muscles, at the expense of the digestive system. Insufficient blood supply for more than a few minutes leads to the disruptions we see with IBS.

Some patients find that manipulations to the back can help with their symptoms, and others find benefit from direct work to the abdomen. Treatments to affect the other secondary effects of stress can also serve to calm the whole body down, minimising the triggers of IBS.

Functional Constipation

The NHS suggests that diet, including drinking enough water, can be good solutions for constipation. However, it also acknowledges that the cause of constipation is not always clear. As with IBS, stress, anxiety, and depression can play a role in the development of the symptom.

Fortunately, evidence shows that manual therapies like osteopathy can help with constipation.

Structural Issues with Digestion

IBD

In contrast to IBS, we can look at IBD. IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which encompasses Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These conditions involve repeated episodes or constant inflammation of part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This is not something we can have a significant effect on, but we may be able to help with the secondary symptoms or the body’s compensation patterns. When you have abdominal pain, you are more inclined to adopt a protective posture. This could mean flattening of the curve of the lower back, rounding of the shoulders, and flexion of the hips. Over time, these changes can cause their own problems, so managing them as they appear is recommended.

Although we cannot cure IBD, it is important for us to know if you have it, even if you come for treatment for something else. IBD is related to rheumatological diseases that affect the joints. Both Rheumatoid Arthritis and AxSpA are easier to diagnose with a history of IBD. The diagnostic delay for AxSpA averages 8.5 years, so anything we can do to get your diagnosis sooner would make a big difference.

Reflux

If the sphincter at the top of the stomach is not working effectively, you can develop reflux. This is where some of the acidic stomach contents travels back into the oesophagus, causing irritation. This is felt as heartburn, and can be quite relentless.

Osteopathy plays a role in the management of reflux by looking at a commonly involved muscle: the diaphragm. The oesophagus passes through a small gap in the diaphragm, just before the stomach. Therefore, the diaphragm acts as part of an “anti-reflux barrier” by supporting the function of the sphincter. If the diaphragm is irritated, it may make reflux more likely, whereas a well-functioning one may limit the effects of reflux.

Although the diaphragm runs deep within the body, it starts just under the ribs. Your osteopath can access it with direct work and exercises.

If you are concerned with the above digestive issues, you can make an appointment here.

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