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Natural Cures for Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernia is a condition caused when the area where the stomach and esophagus (the opening of the diaphragm) is stretched. This causes the upper part of the stomach to push up into the chest cavity. As a consequence, the esophageal sphincter, which normally acts as a one-way valve to allow food to travel down into the stomach, is unable to prevent the contents of the stomach, including gastric acids, from traveling upward.

Although most people with hiatal hernia experience no symptoms, when symptoms do occur, they primarily manifest as chest pain or heartburn, which can be made worse by bending over, especially after eating, or exacerbated at night or when lying down.

Hiatal hernia can sometimes cause material from the stomach to pushed up into the esophagus. This is called esophageal reflux and can cause the heartburn. The pain of hiatal hernia can also mimic other health problems such as stomach ulcers or heart attacks.

The people most prone to hiatal hernia are smokers and people who are overweight.

Hiatal hernia is often due to chronic, extreme tension in the psoas and quadratus lumborum, two large muscles that merge with the diaphragm, causing the diaphragm to become chronically stressed. Osteopathic manipulation can help normalize these muscles.

There are natural cures for Hiatal Hernia that do not involve the use of pharmaceutical drugs. They involve restoring the biochemical balance of the body, and making dietary and lifestyle changes designed to improve one's general health.