If you’ve ever felt that burning sensation in your chest, a sour taste in your mouth, or a persistent tightness in your throat after eating, you’re not alone. Reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), is a common and often uncomfortable condition, but did you know it’s not just about what you eat?
We see clients whose reflux symptoms are linked to issues beyond digestion: restricted breathing, ribcage tightness, stress, and even unresolved fascial tension. The good news? These are all things we can help with.
What is Reflux?
Reflux happens when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. This can lead to symptoms like:
- Heartburn or chest discomfort
- A bitter or sour taste in the throat
- Trouble swallowing
- Frequent throat clearing or a lingering cough
- A tight, pressured feeling in the upper abdomen
While reflux is often treated with medication or dietary changes, those approaches don’t always address the underlying cause, especially when the body is stuck in tension or stress.
What Causes Reflux?
The typical triggers are well-known: certain foods, large meals, alcohol, or lying down too soon after eating. But there are deeper physical patterns that contribute:
- A tight diaphragm, which can press down on the stomach and affect digestion
- Restricted movement in the ribcage and spine, limiting the natural rhythm of breath and digestion
- Chronic stress, which keeps the body in “fight or flight” mode, disrupting normal digestive function
- Postural strain, particularly if you spend long hours sitting, slumping, or shallow breathing
Why Breath and Stress Matter
Your diaphragm, your main breathing muscle sits directly above your stomach. When it can’t move freely, it puts pressure on the stomach and can interfere with the proper closure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that prevents acid from moving upward.
Shallow breathing, common in people under stress, also reduces the diaphragm’s pumping action and keeps the nervous system stuck in high alert. Over time, this affects digestion, sleep, and overall wellbeing.
How We Can Help: Physio + Fascial Counterstrain
Our approach combines physiotherapy techniques and Fascial Counterstrain, a gentle, powerful method for releasing tension in the body’s connective tissue.
With physiotherapy, we can:
- Improve posture and ribcage mobility
- Restore healthy diaphragm movement
- Support better breathing patterns
- Reduce abdominal pressure through targeted manual therapy and exercise
With Fascial Counterstrain, we go a step further:
- Release tension around the diaphragm, esophagus, and stomach
- Improve lymphatic and venous drainage
- Reset the nervous system’s reflexes that may be holding tension in place
- Help the body return to a relaxed state where digestion can function optimally
You Don’t Have to Live with Reflux
If reflux is interrupting your life whether it’s your sleep, your meals, or just your comfort, we’re here to help you explore the real root causes. Many clients feel improvement not just in reflux symptoms, but in their overall energy, breath, and emotional wellbeing.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing reflux symptoms or digestive discomfort, we recommend consulting your GP or healthcare provider to rule out any underlying medical conditions.