Find comprehensive GI disorder treatment solutions designed to help alleviate discomfort and promote digestive wellness.

What Are GI Disorders?

How often does eating a big meal make you feel bloated? Do you suffer from intestinal inflammation or constipation? Or do you feel as if your muscles and joints are stiff? A lot of individuals are unaware that environmental variables may have an effect on their gastrointestinal system and extend their influence to the musculoskeletal system, generating pain-like symptoms that often resemble musculoskeletal illnesses and creating several overlapping risk profiles in the body. Depending on their severity, gastrointestinal (GI) problems may be difficult to treat and have serious medical and social repercussions. They are often frequent. (Malone and others, 2018) Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are a few prevalent GI disorders. In the musculoskeletal system, GI issues may exacerbate muscle dysfunction, joint stiffness, and chronic pain. Many people might search for practical, non-surgical solutions that can alleviate and enhance their quality of life by comprehending the relationship between the stomach and the musculoskeletal system.

 

How GI Disorders Affect The Gut & Musculoskeletal System

Many individuals question how environmental variables might impact their muscles and intestines, and they play a significant role in the development of GI illnesses. One environmental component that might have an impact on the muscles and intestines is stress. A person’s physical and mental health may be impacted by stress, which can alter how the gut bacteria react and result in gastrointestinal diseases. In 2011, Konturek et al.

 

Inflammation & Systemic Effects

Inflammation develops and adheres to the damaged region when GI diseases begin to impact the body, resulting in problems with the stomach. When inflammation starts to interfere with the gastrointestinal system, it may cause low-grade inflammation, compromise the integrity of the gut barrier, and interfere with normal food and nutrient digestion. (Casini and others, 2024) This may result in inflammatory chronic gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. By releasing cytokines and inflammatory mediators into the bloodstream, this may then cause systemic inflammation in the musculoskeletal system, resulting in symptoms including tiredness, joint stiffness, and muscle soreness.

 

Nutrient Malabsorption & Deficiencies

Muscle cramps, weakness, and joint pain that are often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or arthritis might result from deficiencies in vital vitamins and minerals caused by conditions including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and persistent diarrhea.

 

Gut Dysbiosis & The Nervous System

The neurological system and the stomach, often referred to as the “second brain,” have a special connection. An imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) may lead to the development of a leaky gut since the gut contains trillions of bacteria and aids in the transportation of nutrients from meals to various systems. This makes it possible for poisons to enter the blood and set off the immune system. As a result, there is widespread inflammation and musculoskeletal pain, which impacts the quality of life and pain of the musculoskeletal system. In 2024, Cassini et al. Simultaneously, the gut-brain axis regulates muscular contraction and pain perception.

 

Visceral-Somatic Reflexes & Referred Pain

Referred pain patterns, in which visceral discomfort is felt in the musculoskeletal system, may be caused by gastrointestinal diseases. Visceral pain hypersensitivity is characterized by persistent stomach pain or discomfort (Farmer & Aziz, 2009). For instance, IBS may produce lower back and pelvic pain because of visceral-somatic responses, but GERD can cause chest and upper back pain.

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Fighting Inflammation Naturally: Video

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Functional & Nonsurgical Approaches To Reduce GI Pain

When treating GI issues linked to musculoskeletal complaints, many patients begin by looking into holistic and functional methods to lessen the severe symptoms. In order to create a personalized treatment plan, many patients may visit non-surgical therapies to talk with a pain expert about their problems. The following are non-surgical, evidence-based methods for treating musculoskeletal and intestinal discomfort:

 

Dietary Modifications

A nutritious diet may be the first step in making little adjustments to enhance gut health. A nutritious food may help the body develop, mend, and produce energy. It can also influence and control a number of vital bodily processes, including hormones in the gastrointestinal tract. El-Salhy (2019). By eliminating trigger meals that result in overlapping pain sensations, including foods high in omega-3s and polyphenols may help lessen the inflammatory effects from the stomach. GI problems may benefit from the following diets:
Elimination Diet for Anti-Inflammatory Conditions
The FODMAP Diet

 

Pro-& Prebiotics

In terms of gut health, probiotics and prebiotics may aid in the restoration and balancing of the bacterial flora in the gut. While prebiotics include meals high in fiber to nourish the good bacteria and promote gut health, probiotics include good bacteria that help balance the gut microbiota and lower inflammation. By including these two, intestinal inflammation may be avoided by restoring the dynamic equilibrium between the host defense systems and bacteria inside the intestinal mucosa. (Dhaneshwar and Roy, 2023)

 

Stress Management

The body may relax and the tight muscles can be relaxed by reducing environmental stresses that lead to GI issues and musculoskeletal discomfort. Among the methods that individuals may use are:
Mindfulness & Meditation: Progressive muscular relaxation, yoga, and deep breathing may all help people feel less discomfort and less sensitive to their stomach.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may enhance pain tolerance and assist control GI symptoms brought on by stress.

 

Manual Therapies

GI issues linked to musculoskeletal discomfort may be alleviated using manual therapy. To assist strengthen and stretch weak muscle groups and lessen the body’s inflammatory effects, massage therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors may use a variety of treatments. Here are a few of these interventions:
Osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT): Enhances gastrointestinal motility and relieves referred pain.
Visceral Manipulation: A manual treatment that eases abdominal constriction, enhancing digestion and reducing physical stress.
Massage therapy: Can ease back and abdominal muscular tension and lessen gastrointestinal symptoms associated with stress.

 

Acupuncture

By promoting the autonomic nervous system, acupuncture has been shown to enhance stomach motility and lessen discomfort associated with IBS. In order to alleviate a patient, acupuncturists insert tiny, thin needles into different bodily acupoints. In addition to neuromodulation, acupuncture also modifies and repairs the intestinal barrier and gut bacteria. (Li and others, 2023)

 

 

Conclusion

The musculoskeletal system and gastrointestinal illnesses interact in a unique way because their risk profiles overlap and correlate. Treatments to lessen GI issues may be more successful when this relationship is understood. Functional, non-surgical methods including movement-based treatments, manual therapies, stress management, gut microbiota maintenance, and dietary modifications may provide comprehensive relief from GI-related musculoskeletal pain.These little adjustments to a person’s daily schedule, such as regular exercise or a balanced diet, may help address the underlying cause of dysfunction and provide long-lasting relief and enhanced wellbeing.

 

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Injury Medical & Functional Medicine Clinic

We associate with certified medical providers who understand the importance of the effects of GI disorders on not only the gut system but also the musculoskeletal system. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to implement small changes like physical activities and small dietary changes to their diet to reduce the chances of GI disorders from returning. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

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References

Casini, I., Massai, L., Solomita, E., Ortenzi, K., Pieretti, S., & Aloisi, A. M. (2024). Gastrointestinal Conditions Affect Chronic Pain and Quality of Life in Women. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 21(11). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111435

El-Salhy, M. (2019). Nutritional Management of Gastrointestinal Diseases and Disorders. Nutrients, 11(12). doi.org/10.3390/nu11123013

Farmer, A. D., & Aziz, Q. (2009). Visceral pain hypersensitivity in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Br Med Bull, 91, 123-136. doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldp026

Konturek, P. C., Brzozowski, T., & Konturek, S. J. (2011). Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options. J Physiol Pharmacol, 62(6), 591-599. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22314561

Li, X., Liu, S., Liu, H., & Zhu, J. J. (2023). Acupuncture for gastrointestinal diseases. Anat Rec (Hoboken), 306(12), 2997-3005. doi.org/10.1002/ar.24871

Malone, M., Waheed, A., & Samiullah, S. (2018). Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: Functional Lower Gastrointestinal Disorders in Adults. FP Essent, 466, 21-28. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29528206

Roy, S., & Dhaneshwar, S. (2023). Role of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in management of inflammatory bowel disease: Current perspectives. World J Gastroenterol, 29(14), 2078-2100. doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i14.2078

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