Acid Reflux & Digestive Health

When the “Heartburn Pill” Is Not the Answer

Acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) are among the most common conditions in the United States, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole are among the most prescribed medications in the world. The logic seems straightforward: too much acid causes reflux, so reduce the acid.

But this logic is flawed in two important ways. First, many cases of reflux are not caused by excess acid — they are caused by dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. When this valve doesn’t close properly, even normal amounts of stomach acid reflux into the esophagus. Second, stomach acid is not the enemy — it is essential for protein digestion, mineral absorption, and killing pathogens in food. Long-term suppression of stomach acid creates its own serious problems: increased risk of gut infections, nutrient deficiencies (particularly B12, calcium, and magnesium), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and — paradoxically — worsening reflux over time as the stomach’s pH regulatory mechanisms are disrupted.

At SpringBack Chiropractic in Surprise, AZ, Dr. Patrick Bain looks for the actual causes of reflux — structural, nutritional, and emotional — and addresses them directly.

The Structural Root of Acid Reflux

The vagus nerve — the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system and the primary controller of digestive function — originates in the brainstem and travels through the neck before passing through the diaphragm to innervate the stomach, liver, and intestines. It directly controls the function of the lower esophageal sphincter.

When the cervical spine (particularly the upper cervical region) is misaligned, it can create pressure and irritation on the vagus nerve, compromising its function. Reduced vagal tone directly impairs LES function — the sphincter doesn’t close as effectively, allowing reflux to occur.

Advanced BioStructural Correction (ABC) at SpringBack Chiropractic corrects these cervical and thoracic misalignments, reducing vagal nerve irritation and allowing the nervous system’s control of digestive function to normalize. Many patients are astonished to find that their acid reflux significantly improves — or in some cases resolves entirely — as their spinal alignment is corrected, without any changes to their diet or medications.

The thoracic spine (mid-back) also influences gastric function through the sympathetic nervous system. T5-T9 nerve roots innervate the stomach, and dysfunction at these levels can contribute to dysregulation of gastric acid secretion and LES function.

Nutritional Causes of Reflux

Nutrition Response Testing at SpringBack Chiropractic consistently reveals nutritional and chemical contributors to reflux:

• Food sensitivities: Gluten, dairy, and other food triggers can cause inflammatory reactions in the esophagus and stomach that mimic or cause GERD
• H. pylori infection: The stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori directly disrupts gastric acid regulation and is a primary cause of gastritis and ulcers that present as reflux symptoms. NRT can identify immune stress patterns consistent with H. pylori
• Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria): Counterintuitively, low stomach acid causes reflux because a low-acid stomach empties more slowly, creating pressure that forces contents upward. Many patients who “have too much acid” actually have too little — and feel worse on PPIs for exactly this reason
• Enzyme deficiencies: Inadequate digestive enzyme activity allows undigested food to ferment in the stomach, producing gas and pressure that forces the LES open
• Gut dysbiosis: Imbalance in the gut microbiome produces gases and inflammatory signals that directly affect esophageal and gastric function

Dr. Bain creates targeted nutritional support plans to address the specific pattern of contributing factors identified through NRT.

The Emotional Dimension of Digestive Health

The gut-brain axis is one of the most well-documented mind-body connections in medicine. The gut contains more neurons than the spinal cord and is in constant bidirectional communication with the brain. Emotional stress — anxiety, unresolved grief, chronic tension — directly affects gut motility, gastric acid secretion, and LES function through the enteric nervous system.

Our Emotional Healing work using the Emotion Code and Body Code can identify and release trapped emotional energies that are contributing to digestive dysfunction. For patients whose reflux is clearly stress-related or who notice that symptoms worsen with emotional triggers, this work can be particularly transformative.

Supporting Digestive Health Holistically

Dr. Bain’s approach to acid reflux and digestive health involves:

1. Structural assessment and ABC correction of cervical and thoracic spine
2. NRT analysis to identify food sensitivities, gut infections, enzyme deficiencies, and nutritional gaps
3. Targeted nutritional support with whole-food supplements and dietary guidance
4. Emotional healing sessions to address the gut-brain axis emotional dimension
5. Lifestyle guidance on meal timing, eating pace, sleep positioning, and other practices that reduce mechanical reflux triggers

The goal is not simply to eliminate symptoms — it is to restore healthy digestive function so that your body can handle food properly without requiring long-term medication.

Get off the Antacid Merry-Go-Round

If you’ve been on acid-blocking medications for months or years and want to find a real solution, SpringBack Chiropractic in Surprise, AZ is ready to help. Dr. Bain works with patients throughout Surprise, Peoria, Sun City, Glendale, El Mirage, and the West Valley to identify and address the root causes of digestive dysfunction.

Call (623) 294-6564 or request your appointment online to schedule your evaluation. Your gut deserves better than a daily acid-blocking pill.