The Hidden Connection Between Spinal Health & Digestion

Could it be that it wasn’t just the chili cheese dog and fries that upset your digestive system? As indigestible as the theory may sound, symptoms of indigestion may be caused, at least partially, by spinal misalignment. Here’s why…

Your spinal cord, a crucial part of the central nervous system, sends signals to every organ, including those responsible for digestion–your stomach, intestines, and liver. Misalignment in your spine can compress the nerves traveling between the brain and these organs, disrupting communication and potentially leading to digestive problems.

The Connection Isn’t “Vague” At All

The vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the body, extends from the brainstem through the neck, chest, and abdomen, connecting to various organs like the stomach and intestines. Think of the vagus nerve as the motherboard of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The PNS is the “rest and digest” branch of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as heart and breathing rates. As the PNS control hub, the vagus nerve regulates digestive processes, including peristalsis–the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Many people have poor vagal tone due to sedentary lifestyles and stress, which means their vagus nerve isn’t firing optimally. Poor spinal alignment can worsen vagal tone by disrupting the nerve’s ability to transmit signals between the brain and digestive organs. So, if you’re sitting and standing with poor posture, the parasympathetic activity of digesting becomes compromised. Several research studies show that low vagal tone is linked to gastric symptoms, as well as stress and anxiety, and inflammation.

Overcoming The Dual Epidemic Of Poor Digestion & Poor Spinal Health

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that over 80% of U.S. adults experience back pain at some point, while 60-70 million people suffer from digestive diseases each year. Americans spend around $14 billion annually on digestive supplements and medications. As for back pain, estimates suggest that the total annual cost in the U.S., including medical care, lost wages, and productivity losses, is anywhere from $100 billion to $200 billion. Although statistics are difficult to come by, clearly, there is an overlap between poor digestive health and spinal misalignment.

Fortunately, there’s an affordable way to improve vagal tone and restore spinal alignment—Posture Pump® devices like the Dual Deluxe Full Spine (Model 4100-D). These devices can potentially enhance vagal tone and promote better digestion from the comfort of your home with just 5 to 15 minutes of daily use.

More on this simple at-home back and neck pain solution will follow. But first, let’s examine how scoliosis, herniated discs, and other impairments of the spinal column negatively impact digestion and elimination. 

How Common Spinal Conditions Impair Digestive Function

Scoliosis

Scoliosis, characterized by a sideways curvature of the spine, often affects the mid-back (thoracic spine), where nerves connected to digestive organs reside. Compression or irritation of these nerves due to spinal curvature can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, or difficulty digesting food.

A study of 210 patients revealed that 146 were found to have degenerative scoliosis in the lumbar and thoracolumbar spine. Those with a large convex curve on the left side of these spinal regions were more likely to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly if the Cobb angle —  a measurement used in spinal evaluations to quantify the degree of curvature in cases of scoliosis — exceeded 30 degrees.

Herniated or Degenerative Discs

Discs in the spine cushion the vertebrae. When these discs herniate or degenerate, it can compress nerves in the lower back (lumbar spine), affecting those controlling the intestines. Individuals with herniated discs may experience digestive issues such as constipation or irregular bowel movements.

Researchers found in a study that a majority of patients with chronic abdominal pain also had thoracic disc herniation, suggesting a link to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). “We believe that this finding opens a new field, where the percentage of patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome who have symptoms of abdominal wall pain could have thoracic disc herniation as a possible cause,” the researchers concluded. 

Lordosis & Kyphosis

Lordosis is an exaggerated inward curve of the lower back, while kyphosis is an excessive outward curve of the upper back. Both conditions can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves connected to the digestive tract. In extreme cases, individuals with kyphosis may experience difficulty swallowing, while lordosis can lead to chronic constipation or poor nutrient absorption. A 2012 study was the first to demonstrate that lumbar kyphosis is a significant risk factor for GERD symptoms.  

Digestive Conditions Linked to Poor Spinal Health

Now, let’s examine how IBS, which affects an estimated 10% of the world’s population, is significantly caused by spinal deterioration or misalignment. IBS is an umbrella term for a range of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders. It has three main types: diarrhea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), or alternating episodes of both (IBS-M).

In 2022, Brennan Spiegel, M.D., of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, proposed an interesting hypothesis that partially explains the prevalence of IBS. In a word, you can blame IBS on gravity. 

Writing in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr. Brennan says that low back pain is but one manifestation of gravity intolerance and that most humans spend two-thirds of their lives in an upright posture that exerts a downward pull on the body. As a consequence of G-forces, he says, many people with IBS experience:

• Altered transit and stasis
• Altered gut microbiome
• Gas pressure
• Altered defecation
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping 
• Bloating

The good news is that there is a cost-effective solution for overcoming low vagal tone and the effects of gravity and poor posture.

A Lifetime Investment in Spinal Health 

For less than $1 a day per year, the Posture Pump® Dual Deluxe Full Spine (Model 4100-D) provides a cost-effective solution for enhancing spinal health and digestion. This device can help restore the spine’s natural curvature, improve spinal flexibility, and support overall spinal wellness. 

From the comfort of your home, you can use Posture Pump® for a quick 5 to 15-minute session while lying on your back. This practice may assist in restoring the spine’s natural curves, relieving pressure on compressed discs, and promoting spinal health through targeted decompression. The device addresses both the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions, which are crucial for digestive function. 

Featuring a patented expansion and contraction mechanism, Posture Pump® gently lifts and stretches the spine, which can alleviate pressure on compressed discs and nerves. This process helps restore healthy spinal alignment, improves nerve flow, and reduces pain.

How to Incorporate the Posture Pump® Into Your Daily Routine

Incorporating the Posture Pump® into your daily routine is simple and effective. Here’s how:

1. Daily Use: Start with 5 minutes daily, gradually increasing to 15 minutes as flexibility improves.
2. Focus on consistency: Regular use can lead to long-term improvements in both spinal and digestive health.
3. Posture Awareness: Maintain good posture throughout the day, especially when sitting or standing for long periods. 

Enhancing Spinal Health and Digestion

The Posture Pump® Dual Deluxe not only helps alleviate back pain but also may enhance digestion by improving spinal alignment, vagal tone, and nerve flow. Supporting a healthy spine can ensure optimal nerve function in digestive organs, reducing symptoms like bloating, reflux, and constipation. Ultimately, a balanced spine can lead to a balanced digestive system—both of which are key components of overall health and well-being. 

Over 3 million Posture Pump® devices have been sold. Posture Pump®’s patented Expanding Ellipsoidal Decompression technology is supported by MRI research studies conducted by the world-renowned spinal surgeon and inventor of the T.E.N.S. unit, C. Norman Shealy, MD. 

Check out the dozens and dozens of stellar customer reviews and video testimonials to see how Posture Pump® can benefit you!

References:

Haug TT, Svebak S, Hausken T, Wilhelmsen I, Berstad A, Ursin H. Low vagal activity as mediating mechanism for the relationship between personality factors and gastric symptoms in functional dyspepsia. Psychosom Med. 1994 May-Jun;56(3):181-6. 

McLaughlin KA, Rith-Najarian L, Dirks MA, Sheridan MA. Low vagal tone magnifies the association between psychosocial stress exposure and internalizing psychopathology in adolescents. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2015;44(2):314-28.

Hunakova L, Sabaka P, Zvarik M, Mikolaskova I, Gidron Y and Bucova M: Linear and non‑linear indices of vagal nerve in relation to sex and inflammation in patients with Covid‑19. Biomed Rep 19: 80, 2023.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States." NIDDK, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/digestive-diseases. Accessed September 16, 2024.

Eryilmaz F, Ahmed F, Rehmani AK, Karimi S, Qazi A, Mustafa S, Zulfiqar A, Nadeem Z, Sultan AA, Farooque U. Scoliosis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Adults. Cureus. 2021 May 31;13(5):e15359.

Lara FJ, Berges AF, Quesada JQ, Ramiro JA, Toledo RB, Muñoz HO. Thoracic disk herniation, a not infrequent cause of chronic abdominal pain. Int Surg. 2012 Jan-Mar;97(1):27-33.

Imagama S, Hasegawa Y, Wakao N, Hirano K, Hamajima N, Ishiguro N. Influence of lumbar kyphosis and back muscle strength on the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in middle-aged and elderly people. Eur Spine J. 2012 Nov;21(11):2149-57.

Spiegel B. Gravity and the Gut: A Hypothesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Dec 1;117(12):1933-1947.