Bottom Line:

If you have ever had “butterflies” or have been stressed to the point of your stomach hurting, you’ve experienced the gut/brain connection firsthand. Even the thought of food can activate your digestive system because it’s intimately connected with your brain and central nervous system.

They are in constant communication, sending messages back and forth. So not only can stress make your stomach hurt, but your stomach hurting can actually stress you out!

Why it Matters:

Researchers have discovered that people with digestive issues may actually experience pain more acutely due to the sensitivity in their gut. Any added stress can cause this pain to seem even more intense.

Some of the most common gut and digestive system issues related to stress are heartburn, abdominal cramping, and bloating. The good news is, researchers also found that people who were able to reduce stress have seen significant improvement in their digestive complaints.

- Your brain and gut are continually communicating, with your mood affecting your gut and your gut affecting your mood.

- Digestive issues like heartburn, abdominal cramps, and bloating can all occur due to stress.

- Reducing daily stress has been shown to improve many of those digestive issues significantly.

Next Steps:

Gut and digestive issues can place a tremendous amount of stress on your daily life. By reducing your stress with a combination of exercise, diet, and Chiropractic care, you give your gut the best opportunity to stay balanced and happy.

If you have any questions about your gut health, let us know! We’re happy to help you find a natural solution!

Science Source:

Harvard Health Publishing. Healthbeat. 2018

Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Gut-Brain Connection. 2018

Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 6 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

Our modern diet and lifestyle have been linked to a variety of digestive issues. The overall health of your digestive system is closely tied to the food you eat, the exercise you get, and your overall stress levels.