Your body has a natural Anti-Reflux Barrier designed to prevent reflux from occurring – it's composed of 3 structures:

1. LES (lower esophageal sphincter)

2. Crural diaphragm – tendons from the lumbar spine that form a “crura” (like another sphincter) which surrounds the opening where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm and prevents reflux – it lies above the LES by just a small distance.

3. Phrenoesophageal ligament – anchors to the esophagus and the diaphragm both, and holds the lower esophagus and the GE (gastro-esophageal) junction in the abdomen. It prevents the GE junction from sliding upwards into the chest.
These 3 structures work together to maintain a high-pressure zone that prevents reflux. In other words, they’re exacting more pressure externally than the stomach exerts, thus keeping acid inside the stomach.
How does the pressure zone get compromised? It’s due to intra-abdominal pressure that overwhelms it. 

Due to:
Constipation - ~20% of adults
Gas and bloating from: IBS, food sensitivities, SIBO – 40% based on 2025 study
Fatty liver or pancreatitis – 25% of adults have fatty liver
General inflammation – 35% of adults
Leaky gut – 80 to 90% of adults
Obesity – excess abdominal fat builds up intra-abdominal pressure – 74% are overweight and 43% are obese.

Discovery is that of those with acid reflux, 75 to 100% have a hiatal hernia.
This is a mechanical problem which is corrected with a comprehensive look at the underlying root cause:
Gut
Diaphragm
Vagus nerve

It's the analysis of what factors are affecting you that allows us to resolve this problem naturally. Hopefully resolving the problem completely and allowing you to wean or discontinue your PPI.

If you'd like help we're here for you. The best next step is to contact us for a consultation and then we can determine if what we do is a good fit for you. Call 727-335-0400.


#acidreflux #leakygut #hiatalhernia