Many times she has reviewed X-rays with patients with low back pain and they don’t tell her they have digestive issues. “But when we look at the X-ray, we can see in the X-ray the area causing pain, big gassy bubbles which tells you that they’re not digesting food well,” said Dr. Siow.
How the Nervous System Controls Digestion
Your nervous system runs from your brain through your entire spine. You can consider the spinal cord the extension of your brain, which is the most well-protected organ in the body. The nervous system controls every function of the body, including digestion. So when your nervous system is healthy, you can be too. Conversely, if there’s a misalignment in the spine, people may experience poor health and digestive problems.
On the meric nerve chart, nerve level from T3 to T12 and L1 to L2 correspond to nerve supplies to your stomach, gallbladder, liver, spleen, pancreas, colon, and small intestine. All your digestive function occurs between the mid-thoracic region to the upper lumbar region. So oftentimes, people with back pain can also have digestive issues, whether they’re aware or not aware.
Some Welcome ‘Side Effects’ of an Adjustment
There are cases where patients will come in with back pain, and Dr. Siow will adjust them. Afterward, they will report that their constipation, belching or acid reflux is improved.
The Winsor Autopsy
In 1921, Dr. Henry Winsor wanted to find out the relationship between the chiropractic claim that when you adjust a certain area, the organs will improve. He performed an autopsy of 75 human cadavers. Dr. Winsor found consistently that in all cases he did autopsies, there was a direct correlation between the specific spinal misalignment and a disease in the area in the cadaver.
For example, he determined that in 9 cases where there was a misalignment between T5 and T9, the person had a stomach disease. Dr. Winsor identified 13 cases of gallbladder disease and 11 cases of spleen disease were associated with spinal misalignment. So keeping the spine healthy is more than just avoiding back and neck pain; it helps keep your organs healthy.
How Emotions Impact Digestion
Digestion is more than just digesting food consumed; it’s about your digestive capacity for your immune system and impressions you assimilate throughout the day. “Many times when people are upset, they don’t digest as well. So someone who has had a traumatic emotional event may often experience a lack of appetite” said Dr. Siow.
When you can’t digest that experience properly, your function will suffer. Foods that aren’t digested properly also become toxins. These toxic wastes clog the channels of the body and create disease. Malnourishment can result when food isn’t digested properly.
Book an Appointment
Whether you have GERD, IBS, or another digestive issue, ensuring your spine is aligned could help. Take that first step toward improving not only your digestive health, but also your overall health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.