- General, Osteopathy

Can Osteopaths Treat Indigestion?

Indigestion is a condition that many people suffer from. It is very common therefore you should not really be too worried if you have it. However, if the episodes appear frequently, you need to start consulting a doctor to confirm your condition. The question is what kind of doctor should you consult? Many people would suggest that a general specialist would be good. Nevertheless, you might want to get the advice of an osteopath as well.

Can osteopaths treat indigestion? To answer this question, you first need to define the two. Osteopaths are specialists that focus on bones and muscles. They try to dig in deeper to the root of the problem to be able to solve it. Meanwhile, indigestion is a condition where acid goes back to the esophagus mainly because the sphincter is not functioning well. The sphincter is the muscle that prevents food and acid from going up from the stomach. There are numerous reasons why reflux happens however the common ones include heart disease or overeating. Through osteopathy, the experts can know what is really causing the condition. They can monitor different muscles in the body especially the sphincter, the heart, the stomach and the diaphragm. Most osteopaths will apply pressure on the stomach and diaphragm areas then observe how your body will react. From there, they may conclude the condition or they may proceed to other tests. Nevertheless, since these experts focus on muscles, they will be able to help you get rid of indigestion caused by muscle problems. When consulting, you just have to be sure that you consult with the licensed and experienced ones.

To not suffer from indigestion, you need to avoid it. You need to avoid eating foods and consuming drinks that can trigger the acid to reflux. Examples of these are foods that are rich in fats and caffeine. Spicy foods are also known to cause acid reflux. Another way to avoid indigestion is to avoid eating big meals. When eat big meals, your stomach becomes too full and there is a tendency for it to release more acids than usual. This surge in the release of acids will result to reflux especially when the capacity of the stomach has been reached. It is also believed that the sleeping position can affect the activities of your stomach. If you lie on your back, there is a tendency for the acids to flow back especially if you do this right after you have eaten a big meal. It is best if you do not lie for a while or you can put pillows beneath your head and back to avoid reflux.

It is true that osteopaths can help problems of indigestion. You can also consult your general physician about your condition. But the best thing to do is to prevent indigestion and the discomfort it brings.