Gastrointestinal issues have become extremely commonplace in the last few years. In fact, if you don’t suffer from some form of gastrointestinal distress and never have, you are in the minority. However, we don’t currently have many great treatments for digestive issues.
Many of the common treatment options for IBS and similar issues simply address the symptoms of the disorders and not the root causes. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, is concerned with diagnosing and addressing the cause of the issues on a deep, fundamental level.
Stomach Pain and Digestive Disorders
Abdominal pain can occur for many different reasons.
For instance, food-borne illnesses, gut inflammation, and tons of other different issues can result in abdominal pain. With bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens plaguing the digestive processes, it can be very hard to do many of the things we take for granted every day. For instance, going out for a meal can be a nightmare for those with digestive problems. They constantly need to make sure that they have easy and quick access to bathrooms and that the menu will agree with their body.
This often results in embarrassment and the desire to withdraw from social situations.
Diagnosis and Treatments for Digestive Issues
In order to treat a gastrointestinal issue, the clinician must first arrive at a solid diagnosis. However, this is often quite a difficult feat, as the digestive system is much more complicated than one might assume.
The digestive system is composed of every organ that assists with the breaking down of food and absorbing nutrients within it. This includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Additionally, the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are all considered to be accessory organs, which are intimately associated with the digestive process.
Therefore, any issue with one or more of the above organs can affect the entire digestive process. Also, the foods we eat and other lifestyle factors can significantly disrupt the function of these organs.
But while some clinicians will correctly identify which part of the digestive system is affected, many of them will not consider the influence of the nervous system on the digestive process.
The Enteric Nervous System
Within the nervous system, there are two primary divisions: the central nervous system (composed of the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (composed of the individual nerves outside of the central nervous system). However, in somewhat recent times, researchers have identified a third nervous system division known as the enteric nervous system.
The enteric nervous system is a complex and semi-independent grouping of nerves that control the digestive organs. This system has been found to be integral to our overall health. Furthermore, by improving the connections between the enteric nervous system and other parts of the nervous system, patients often notice significant improvements related to many digestive issues.
For this reason, chiropractic care is an incredibly effective option that patients with digestive disorders should consider when seeking out treatment options.
Chiropractic Care and Digestive Problems
As you probably know, chiropractors primarily address issues affecting the spine. By performing adjustments on various spinal segments, your chiropractor can often reduce your pain and improve your range of motion throughout your body.
Furthermore, chiropractic adjustments help to improve communication between different body structures.
When it comes to the digestive system, chiropractic treatments can often serve to reestablish connections between the gut and the central nervous system. This usually leads to quicker and more effective healing whenever digestive issues arise.
Are you looking for a Parker chiropractor who specializes in digestive disorders? If so, look no further than Awaken Chiropractic. We are ready to help you with all of your health issues today. Book your appointment now!
