Gastrointestinal Health and Osteopathy

In our society today, many people struggle with their gastrointestinal health on a chronic scale. With a wide variety of symptoms ranging from gastric reflux, heartburn, poor digestion, bloating, constipation, irregular stools, etc. limiting their day to day lives. As an osteopathic manual practitioner, I’m looking at the structure of the body in relation to the function, and vice versa. The relationship between structure and function in gastrointestinal health involves the integrity of the spinal health, as the spinal nerves throughout the entirety of the spine serve some level of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as involves the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and its role in nutrient absorption and peristalsis throughout the gastro tract.

A trend in our western society is to rush, to be sedentary for long periods, and active in intense bursts. With this trend, the structure of the body can start to see some impacts through chronic compensatory patterns; whether compensating for an injury, old or new, compensating for a cluster of symptoms, or just compensating through a common postural or gait pattern - making up for asymmetries in sports, or simply your walking pattern. The purpose of your body attempting to compensate is to alleviate irritation, but often this can lead to additional irritations in different regions of the body. This theme within the spine can lead to asymmetries of the functional mechanics of the spinal column, then irritating nerves serving the gastro tract, as well as the surrounding blood vessels, venous and lymphatic pathways, all of which must have the capacity to flow through their designated pathways to avoid any congestion, which quickly leads to unpleasant symptomatology.
As your osteopathic manual practitioner, I work to find the cause of discomforts, unpleasant symptomology and pain, and work with the body to help return the structure to a more neutral, comfortable and healthy state.
If you have any questions about troubling digestive and elimination symptoms and how I may be able to help your body, book an osteopathic appointment and let’s get your journey started on reclaiming your health at Dalhousie Health & Wellness!



Danielle, Osteopathic Manual Provider