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Dr. Nicole is movin' into the tech world at full speed. Enjoy her insight into the world of wellness below!

Interview by Jen Moiles

05/28/2011 12:12 PM

Q:  What might an adult or older child be experiencing if a subluxation is the cause of their digestive distress?

A:  There is really no way for an individual to determine whether or not a subluxation is the cause of their indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, or general abdominal discomfort (a subluxation is a misalignment in the spine that doesn’t allow normal movement in that area.  It irritates or stretches the nerve affecting the muscle or organ, as well as affecting the entire brain-body connection).

It's usually a combination of factors.  With babies, it's often very clear because their only food is mother's milk, and either Mom needs to fix her diet, Baby is subluxated, or both.  With older kids and adults, it becomes more complicated because of years of eating history, toxicity in the body (from food additives and environmental toxins) and stress-related issues.  We usually discover later after a patient has been under care for several months that their indigestion resolves, or they could eat foods they couldn't eat before.

If one eliminates food sensitivities, cleans up one's diet, works on stress-reducing techniques, and is still experiencing abdominal discomfort and digestive issues, the answer may lie in neurologic interference to the stomach and bowel.

Q:  Is there a certain part of the spine that relates directly to digestive function?  Which nerves/vertebrae?   

A:  Absolutely.  There are multiple areas in the spine that relate to digestive function in the mid- and low-back.  There is redundancy in the nerve control, meaning multiple nerves go to the same location. 

In the thoracic spine, vertebral nerves 5, 6, 7 and 9, 10, 11 innervate the stomach and small intestine.  Lumbar vertebral nerves 1 and 2, and the lowest thoracic vertebral nerve go to the large intestines.  Thoracic vertebral nerves 5-7 and 9-11 also innervate the pancreas (responsible for digestive enzymes).  Lastly, the upper cervical spine affects the entire body, including digestion.

Q:  Is there an area of the back that's likely to be achy? 

A:  Not necessarily.  Subluxations can be completely painless, even when they are affecting nerve function.

Q:  How does generally poor posture affect the digestive process?  Can you explain how exactly this might impair the organs and function?

A:  Poor posture affects EVERYTHING!!!  Structurally, it affects the amount of space the organs have to do their job.  Poor posture crowds the organs, allowing for little movement and circulation.  Neurologically, poor posture creates subluxation and muscle imbalances, disrupting vital nerve flow to the organs and tissues.  It also eventually causes pain, which is usually what brings people in to see me.

Q:  Do you have any success stories to share regarding adults resolving digestive issues or being able to wean off medications after receiving chiropractic treatments?  

A:  There are many.  One in particular stands out because he was the owner of a large company, under tremendous stress, and had indulgent eating habits.  He came to us for a low back issue he was having.  We found degenerative arthritis in his spine and recommended a long-term course of corrective care.  It wasn’t until his second re-examination (four months later) that he asked the question:  “Do adjustments have anything to do with my digestion?  I don’t need my meds any more, and I can eat steak!”

Apparently, he had such bad heartburn that he couldn’t eat many of his favorite foods even while on medication.  After several months of care, he realized that he didn’t have to limit himself, and he didn’t need the meds.

Of course, diet modification and exercise was also recommended!  But the only thing he changed in his hectic life was to get adjusted, and it totally relieved the intense, burning pain he felt after eating.

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