GastroEsophageal Reflux occurs when the stomach contents back up into the esophagus or the mouth. This is a normal healthy process that occurs in people of all ages, most times it’s brief and it causes no problems. However, someone with GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) may experience the following often painful symptoms: heartburn, pain with swallowing, persistent sore throat, non-burning chest pain, chronic sinusitis, chronic phlegm or vomiting.
Food is taken from the mouth to the stomach via the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube made of muscle and tissue that expand and contract to move food to the stomach. Between the stomach and esophagus is the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES expands to allow food into the stomach, and then contracts to prevent acid from re-entering the esophagus. Normal reflux becomes GERD when it causes bothersome symptoms. This can vary from person to person; there is no definitive test to identify if you have GERD. You need to seek help immediately if any of the following symptoms manifest: difficulty swallowing, food feels ’stuck’, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, choking or spitting up bloodc.
Treatment for GERD can widely vary depending on reported symptoms. Often times medication is recommended without a thorough evaluation of lifestyle or diet. A common medication prescribed is a class of drugs called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a common over-the-counter PPI is Prilosec or generically named omeprazole. The long term effects of Prilosec are not ideal. There is a higher incidence rate of certain stomach cancers, and it can also lead to risk of atrophy of the stomach lining because of the long-term suppression of acid secretion by stomach cells. A PPI may provide short term benefits, but ultimately it is masking the pain, rather than treating the problem.
Lifestyle Changes for Dealing with GERD
Weight loss — For those that are overweight the number one factor increasing your likelihood of experiencing GERD is the extra weight you are carrying. Weight loss will also reduce your chances of heart diseases and diabetes.
Quit Smoking — The LES is affected by the stimulant in cigarettes, nicotine.
Reduce Caffeine — Stimulants in general reduce the pressure in the LES increasing GERD symptoms.
Avoid large and late meals — Lying down with a full stomach may increase your chance of symptoms. Smaller meals keep the stomach from becoming engorged.
Raise the head of your bed 8 inches, using pillows or props.
Chew gum — Chewing gum can increase saliva production which can help clear stomach acid in the esophagus.
There are lots of treatments to soothe the symptoms of GERD while healing the tissues. This is an area to be addressed with your Naturopathic Physician, who can help wean you off of PPI or other prescription drugs.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of illnesses. The goal of the treatment is to help resolve the underlying trapped forces that govern the pattern of disease and the fragmentation between mind and body. This is achieved by reducing tension and stress in the meningeal membrane and its facial connections. Craniosacral is a safe and creative way to treat headaches, TMJ pain, ear infections, strokes, physical tension, chronic pain, muscle tightness and muscle spasms. CST greatly relies on the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.
The body’s craniosacral system is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. By delicately manipulating the bones of the face, head, vertebra and membranes beneath the skull, cerebrospinal fluid is allowed to move more freely. This allows for the body’s energy fields to be rebalanced.
A typical CST session runs about one hour. Clients are fully clothed, and laying down on a massage table. The therapist lightly places hands on the clients body ‘with thinking fingers’. Clients often report a deep sense of relaxation during this therapy.
For more information call to schedule an appointment, visit the wikipedia entry, or check out this great video below.
Cold Pressed Castor Bean Oil – the old remedy for pain relief
Most of us think of Castor Oil as the horrible liquid our parents made us take for the lovely laxative quality it possesses. Many are surprised to learn of the variety of uses cold pressed castor bean oil has for your health. Castor oil gained popularity as a topical healing agent in the mid-1900s, applied with a wool cloth and a heat source directly to the skin. In Naturopathic Medicine, castor oil packs are a commonly prescribed home remedy for ailments involving scar tissue, liver stagnation and joint pain or inflammation. In this modern age a flannel cloth and a heating pad or hot water bottle is all you need. As a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic, this is a satisfying (and warm) treatment option.
Fold 1 to 2 inch thickness of flannel cloth about 10″ x 12″ for abdominal applications.
Dampen the cloth and pour castor oil onto the cloth.
Place over treatment area and place plastic wrap over the castor oil pack to prevent soiling your clothes or sheets.
Place heating pad or hot water bottle on top.
Pack may remain in place 1 – 8 hours. Minimal treatment time is 1 hour.
Post Treatment Cleaning: If you choose, you may clean off castor oil with soda water prepared by adding one teaspoon baking soda to one pint of cool water. Dip a cloth into soda water and rub skin briskly until thoroughly cleansed. Castor oil pack may be kept up to one year in a plastic container or zip lock bag
