If you are one of the many people who suffers from gastrointestinal upset, you might be desperate to find relief from the symptoms you experience. One place that you might not have thought to look for help is from the chiropractor.

Almost every system of your body is tied to the spinal cord in some way. The digestive system isn’t any exception to this. The nerves that are linked to the digestive tract are found in the thoracic area of the spinal cord. One major study has proved that there are direct ties between the spinal cord health in the area and how your body handles the digestive process.

Information found in International Surgery

One peer-reviewed journal, International Surgery, included a study that was done on 27 people. That study found that of the people in the study, 66 percent of them had evidence of a herniated disc in the thoracic region of the spine. This is significant since all of the participants came into the study reporting chronic abdominal pain. Of the 66 percent of patients who had a disc herniation in the study, two-thirds had a recorded irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Role of the Thoracic Spine

Spinal manipulation can help to align vertebrae that have become misaligned. When the vertebrae aren’t aligned properly, the nerves in the area send messages to the intestines and stomach that are erratic. This can cause all forms of digestive upset, including gas, heartburn, and bloating.

By correcting the alignment of the thoracic spine, the nerve signals sent to the digestive tract are improved and much more consistent. This enables the stomach and the intestines to work properly. It can also have an impact on other areas of the digestive tract and the body that can also alleviate the digestive upset that people experience.

It is important to note that the benefits of seeing a chiropractor for digestive upset can occur quickly; however, the results are cumulative and long-term. This means that for optimal relief, you need to see the chiropractor on a regular basis. Over time, you will experience more and more relief from gastrointestinal discomfort and many other aches and pains.