We recently chatted with our local Chiropractor Dr Jason Mulvogue of Wynnum Chiropractic and Wellness Centre about the interesting connection between chiropractic treatments and gut health.
As the spine and central nervous system are connected to the digestive tract, people with chronic back and joint pain often suffer from gut problems.
Spinal nerves in the thoracic spine (middle back) control the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Nerves in the lumbar spine (lower back) control the large intestine and colon and help regulate how fast the digestive system processes and breaks down food. If the spine is misaligned, it can put pressure on these spinal nerves, disrupting digestive function, so that people may experience a combination of gastrointestinal symptoms and back pain. One Australian study found a strong association between lower back pain and digestive issues, especially in women. (1)
Gut problems can also simultaneously result in back pain. A bloated feeling after eating, belching, passing gas, heartburn, intestinal pain, constipation, diarrhoea and nausea are all symptoms of invisible inflammation. This inflammation often starts in the microbiome or the gut, spreading through the nerves, causing pain and inflammation in the back and joints.
However, digestive issues and back pain symptoms are rarely looked at together unless you are being treated holistically.
“Stress and inflammation can affect the body in so many ways”, said Jason. “Tight hard muscles can cause gut pain via the central nervous system, especially if there are already underlying gut issues”. (2) Jason spoke about the importance of education. People tend to reach for pain medication which is too easily used as an instant quick fix, instead of looking further to pinpoint and address the cause of the issue. This is an area where a good health professional can help make a real difference to the lives of their clients.
What it really all comes back to is a comprehensive whole-body approach which includes many other lifestyle factors such as mental health, diet and exercise. Having good gut health gut health and reducing stress can all help play an important role in easing inflammation, reducing pain and reliance on pain medications. Research shows that fermented foods contain beneficial microbes that help maintain and promote the right balance of beneficial flora in the gut. (3) So, the addition of some Grainfields fermented superfoods products can go a long way to improving gut health and aiding digestion.
Additionally, pain, inflammation and stress can cause the body to go into a “fight or flight” mode for long periods. In “fight or flight” mode your strength and heart rate increases to deal with immediate threats. When the body is prepared for fight or flight, both the digestive and immune systems tend to slow down. Short term fight or flight also releases cortisol which is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Staying in fight or flight mode too long with too much cortisol can damage the body over time because of how it affects digestion and immunity. If the body does not switch to the rest and digest or parasympathetic nervous system after the threat has passed it can result in various health issues. This constant “fight or flight” scenario is more common these days as many of us lead such busy lives. We are all working harder, multiple jobs, longer hours, all of which can cause stress and inflammation which affects our health and wellbeing.
When chiropractors work to properly align the spine and treat the central nervous system, this can indirectly improve other areas of the body, particularly gastrointestinal functions. Seeing a chiropractor can sometimes result in other benefits including:
- Improved mobility and flexibility
- Reduced dependence on pain medication
- Decreased inflammation: The relief of pinched nerves and tension can reduce inflammation in the body.
- Improved posture: Treatment from a chiropractor can help alleviate stiffness and to enable you to move, sit and stand with better alignment.
- Better sleep: Experiencing less pain can also improve sleep and relaxation. Spinal adjustments can stimulate certain hormones that help with better sleep.
- Better mental health: The combination of better sleep, less pain and better range of motion can reduce stress and improve your mood and outlook on life.
You can really enjoy your “best” life when all areas of your health and wellbeing are holistically aligned.
Sources:
(1) Smith MD, Russell A, Hodges PW. How common is back pain in women with gastrointestinal problems? Clin J Pain. 2008 Mar-Apr;24:199-203. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31815d3601. PMID: 18287824.
(2) Dr Jason Mulvogue B.Sc (Chiro), M.Clin.Chiro Chiropractor www.wynnumchiropractric.com.au
(3)Şanlier N, Gökcen BB, Sezgin AC. Health benefits of fermented foods. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(3):506-527. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2017.1383355. Epub 2017 Oct 20. PMID: 28945458.
