GI Disorders Treatment and Its Impact on Wellness

Looking for solutions? Discover various GI disorder treatment options that can help restore your digestive wellness today.

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

GI diseases are mostly caused by environmental causes, and many individuals are curious about how these things might impact their muscles and bowels. One environmental component that might impact the intestines and muscles is stress. Stress may have an impact on a person’s physical and mental health, changing how the gut flora react and resulting in gastrointestinal diseases. (Konturek and others, 2011)

Inflammation & Systemic Effects

When gastrointestinal illnesses begin to impact the body, they lead to inflammation and adhere to the afflicted region, resulting in problems with the stomach. The gut barrier may be compromised, low-grade inflammation may be induced, and normal food and nutrient digestion may be disturbed when inflammation starts to impact the gastrointestinal system. In 2024, Casini et al. This may result in long-term gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis that include inflammatory components. As a result, cytokines and inflammatory mediators may be released into the bloodstream, leading to systemic inflammation in the musculoskeletal system and symptoms such as tiredness, joint stiffness, and muscle soreness.

Nutrient Malabsorption & Deficiencies

IBD, Celiac disease, and persistent diarrhea may all affect how nutrients are absorbed, resulting in vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can cause joint pain, weakness, and cramping in the muscles that are commonly misdiagnosed as arthritis or fibromyalgia.

Gut Dysbiosis & The Nervous System

The “second brain,” or gastrointestinal system, has a special connection to the neural system. The development of a leaky gut may be attributed to dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria, since the gut contains trillions of bacteria and aids in the transportation of nutrients from meals to various places. As a result, poisons may enter the bloodstream and set off the immune system. This causes musculoskeletal pain and extensive inflammation, which in turn affects the quality of life and pain of the musculoskeletal system. (Casini & colleagues, 2024) Meanwhile, the gut-brain axis is involved in controlling muscle 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 GI problems. According to Farmer and Aziz (2009), visceral pain hypersensitivity manifests as persistent stomach pain or discomfort. For instance, GERD may result in upper back and chest pain, but IBS might produce pelvic and lower back pain because of visceral-somatic responses.

Fighting Inflammation Naturally: Video

Functional & Nonsurgical Approaches To Reduce GI Pain

The following are evidence-based, non-surgical methods for treating musculoskeletal and intestinal pain:

Dietary Modifications

A nutritious diet may serve as the foundation for minor adjustments to enhance intestinal health. Energy, body development, and healing may all be facilitated by a nutritious diet, which also influences and controls a number of vital bodily processes, including hormones in the gastrointestinal tract. (2019; El-Salhy). By avoiding trigger meals that result in overlapping pain sensations, including foods high in omega-3s and polyphenols may help curb the gut’s inflammatory effects. The following are some diets that may assist with GI disorders:
Dietary Intervention for Inflammation Elimination
FODMAP Diet

Pro-& Prebiotics

In terms of gut health, prebiotics and probiotics may aid in balancing and restoring the bacterial flora in the gut. Prebiotics use foods high in fiber to nourish the good bacteria in the stomach and promote gut health, while probiotics include good bacteria that help decrease inflammation and rebalance the gut microbiota. These two aid in reestablishing the dynamic equilibrium between the intestinal mucosa’s microbiota and host defense systems, delaying the beginning of intestinal inflammation. In 2023, Roy and Dhaneshwar

Stress Management

Stressors from the environment that lead to GI illnesses and musculoskeletal discomfort may be reduced, which helps the body relax and ease tight muscles. Some methods that individuals may use are as follows:
Mindfulness & Meditation: Deep breathing, yoga, and gradual muscle relaxation may all help to lessen pain perception and gut sensitivity.
Pain tolerance and stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms may both be improved with cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT.

Manual Therapies

Musculoskeletal discomfort and gastrointestinal issues may be lessened using manual therapy. Chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists may use a variety of treatments to assist strengthen and stretch weak muscle groups and lessen the body’s inflammatory response. These treatments include, among others:
Improved gastrointestinal motility and referred pain relief are two benefits of osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT).
A manual treatment that improves digestion and eases musculoskeletal stress by releasing limitations in the belly is called visceral manipulation.
In addition to relieving back and abdominal muscular tension, massage therapy may lessen gastrointestinal symptoms associated with stress.

Acupuncture

Because acupuncture stimulates the autonomic nerve system, it has been shown to increase stomach motility and lessen discomfort associated with IBS. Small, thin needles are inserted into the body’s acupoints by acupuncturists to provide relief. Neuromodulation as well as intestinal barrier and gut microbiota adjustment and restoration are all part of acupuncture. Li and colleagues, 2023

Conclusion

GI diseases and the musculoskeletal system interact in a unique way because their risk profiles overlap and correlate. Treatments for GI problems may be improved by comprehending this link. Reducing GI-related musculoskeletal pain may be accomplished holistically by combining functional, non-surgical methods such movement-based treatments, manual therapies, stress management, gut microbiota maintenance, and dietary modifications. By addressing the underlying cause of dysfunction, these little lifestyle adjustments—from regular exercise to a nutritious diet—can provide long-lasting relief and enhance wellbeing.

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.

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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