How Massage Can Relieve Heartburn Symptoms

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Heartburn is a burning discomfort in the chest or throat resulting from stomach acid contacting and irritating the lining of the esophagus. It is an expression of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a phenomenon caused when contents from the stomach rise into the esophagus, much like water bubbling up into a sink from a plugged drain. While occasional episodes are likely not indicative of GERD, frequent heartburn should always be evaluated by a doctor. The exact symptoms and sensations of heartburn vary from person to person, though the most prominent characteristics of heartburn are:

a bitter, sour or acidic taste in the mouth
feeling partially digested food or liquid rising from the stomach to the mouth
burning chest pain, often behind the breastbone
bloating, belching and nausea
chronic cough
stinging, hoarseness or sore throat
an increase in severity of pain when lying down or bending over

Physiology

To break down food, the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid. While the stomach’s lining protects it from this potent acid, the esophagus does not share the same protection. Thus, heartburn is the burning sensation felt when hydrochloric acid enters the esophagus.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the muscular valve connecting the esophagus and stomach. The LES is a high-pressure zone that acts as a barrier to protect the esophagus against the backflow of gastric acid from the stomach. If the LES relaxes or malfunctions, it allows stomach acid to flow upward into the esophagus. Normally, the LES works like a dam, opening to allow food to pass into the stomach and closing to keep food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back up into the esophagus. Acid reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing contents of the stomach to reverse direction. While medical experts are uncertain why this happens, a loss of muscle tone in the LES results in the inability to close completely after food empties into the stomach. A complex segment of smooth muscle under the control of nerves and various hormones, dietary substances, drugs and nervous system factors can impair LES function.

Tips to Minimize Heartburn

Since many factors can affect stomach pressure and LES tone, there are a myriad of ways to minimize heartburn.

Elevate – Lying down worsens the burning discomfort associated with indigestion and heartburn. By elevating one’s head when reclining, gravity promotes the downward flow of digestion for preventing regurgitation. During a massage session, massage therapists can place extra pillows under a client’s head for a similar effect.
Dietary avoidances – Suggest clients abstain from food or drink that increases acid secretion, decreases LES pressure or slows the emptying of the stomach. Known offenders include alcohol, chocolate, carbonated beverages, fatty and fried foods, garlic, onions, spicy foods, mints, tomatoes, oranges and other acidic foods and drinks.
Quit smoking – One more reason to kick the habit, nicotine stimulates stomach acid and impairs LES function.
Relax – Massage and other relaxation methods prevent and relieve heartburn by reducing abdominal pressure. Additionally, stress can increase sensitivity to refluxed acid, reduce pain thresholds and increase the frequency and severity of heartburn symptoms.

Warnings

While heartburn is generally not considered dangerous, it can be mistaken for a more serious condition. If heartburn is persistent and severe, it could be a symptom of GERD. Untreated, GERD can cause or contribute to a wide range of problems, including peptic ulcers, hiatal hernia or even esophageal cancer. Fortunately, many of these complications can be avoided with proper monitoring from a health care professional.

The pain caused by heartburn and heart attack can be so severe that both patients and doctors have a difficult time distinguishing one from the other. In fact, sophisticated equipment is generally necessary to determine whether patients are suffering from a heart attack or not. Experts advise seeking immediate medical attention if chest pain, or other heart attack warning signs, lasts for more than a few minutes. The following details the differences between heartburn and heart attack:

Heartburn

A sharp, burning sensation just below the breastbone or ribs
Although it is possible, pain generally does not radiate to the shoulders, neck, or arms
Pain usually comes after meals
Rarely accompanied by a cold sweat, lightheadedness or dizziness

Angina or Heart Attack

A feeling of fullness, tightness, dull pressure or pain generally in the center of the chest
Pain may spread to the shoulders, neck or arms
May be accompanied by a cold sweat
Might experience lightheadedness, weakness or dizziness
Shortness of breath
Nausea and possible vomiting

Seek immediate medical attention if you or a client experiences any warning signs of a heart attack.

Shiatsu for Heartburn

By applying various pressure techniques to specific locations, shiatsu can quiet the nervous system, calm a churning stomach, slow increased acid production activated by stress and alleviate the burning symptoms of reflux. Practitioners of this specialized form of massage agree that the most useful points to ease heartburn, are:

Stomach – Stomach 41, 42 and 43 are used to decrease stomach acidity.
Pericardium – Pericardium 6 relaxes the chest, helps digestion flow downward and reduces nausea.
Liver – Liver 3 reduces anxiety, decreases stomach acidity and minimizes pressure on the stomach from constricted abdominal muscles due to stress.
Additional points – Conception Vessel 17 promotes the downward flow of energy in the chest. Spleen 4 is used for calming a rebellious stomach.

Odds are that a significant percentage of clients in any massage practice struggle with either occasional or frequent heartburn. While diagnosing and treating this condition is beyond the scope of practice for massage therapists, being familiar with its symptoms, physiology, tips to improve symptoms, warnings and beneficial massage locations will ensure your client receives the best care possible.

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