Can a Chiropractor Help a Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia happens when part of the stomach moves upward through the opening in the diaphragm and into the chest.
Chiropractic care does not repair that anatomical defect or replace appropriate medical treatment.
However, some patients with a hiatal hernia also have rib stiffness, upper-back tension, postural strain, or movement restrictions that may affect comfort. Those are the kinds of musculoskeletal factors a chiropractor may evaluate.
What Can Chiropractic Help With — and What Can’t It Do?
Chiropractic may help address
- Upper-back stiffness
- Restricted rib movement
- Postural strain
- Muscle tension
- Movement restrictions
- Associated musculoskeletal discomfort
Chiropractic does not
- Repair the hernia itself
- Pull the stomach permanently back into place
- Replace reflux medication when medically indicated
- Replace gastrointestinal evaluation
- Replace surgery when surgery is needed
What Is a Hiatal Hernia?
The diaphragm separates the chest from the abdomen. The esophagus passes through an opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus before joining the stomach.
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach bulges upward through that opening.
Small hiatal hernias may cause no symptoms at all. Larger or symptomatic hernias can be associated with heartburn, regurgitation, trouble swallowing, chest or abdominal discomfort, early fullness, and sometimes shortness of breath.
Medical reference: Mayo Clinic — Hiatal Hernia
Sliding vs. Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia
Sliding Hiatal Hernia
This is the most common type. The upper stomach and the junction between the esophagus and stomach move upward through the diaphragm.
Reflux symptoms are common with this type.
Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia
This is less common. Part of the stomach moves up beside the esophagus and may remain in the chest.
Because this type can occasionally create more serious complications, medical evaluation is particularly important.
Can a Hiatal Hernia Cause Acid Reflux?
Yes. A hiatal hernia can increase the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, or make reflux symptoms worse.
When the normal relationship between the stomach, diaphragm, and lower esophageal sphincter is altered, stomach contents may move upward into the esophagus more easily.
Common symptoms can include:
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Sour or acidic taste
- Chest burning
- Chronic cough
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
Learn more from NIDDK's GERD overview .
Where Chiropractic May Fit In
The presence of a hiatal hernia does not mean every symptom comes from the hernia itself.
Some people also have musculoskeletal findings such as:
- Restricted thoracic-spine movement
- Rib stiffness
- Upper-back or chest-wall muscle tension
- Postural strain
- Movement patterns that make certain positions uncomfortable
Those findings may affect comfort, breathing movement, or how the upper body feels during daily activities. They do not mean the chiropractor is treating or repairing the hernia itself.
What Does the Diaphragm Have to Do With It?
The diaphragm is the primary muscle of breathing and also helps separate the chest from the abdomen.
Because the esophagus passes through the diaphragm, the area is closely related anatomically to a hiatal hernia.
A musculoskeletal evaluation may look at rib-cage movement and breathing mechanics when those areas are uncomfortable or restricted. That does not mean altered breathing caused the hernia, and it does not mean breathing exercises can repair it.
Not Every Symptom Is Necessarily From the Hernia
Symptoms such as chest pressure, bloating, upper-back discomfort, or a feeling of restricted breathing can have many possible causes.
Depending on the symptom pattern, other possibilities may include:
- GERD without a hiatal hernia
- Gallbladder problems
- Esophageal conditions
- Musculoskeletal chest-wall or rib pain
- Upper-back strain
- Cardiac or pulmonary conditions
This is why persistent or concerning symptoms should not simply be assumed to be “from the hernia.”
Symptoms That Should Not Be Managed as a Chiropractic Problem
Seek medical evaluation for symptoms such as:
- Persistent or severe chest pain
- Difficulty or pain with swallowing
- Persistent vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Black or tarry stools
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shortness of breath that is new or worsening
- Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal symptoms
Chest pain and breathing difficulty can have causes unrelated to a hiatal hernia and may require urgent medical attention.
What Happens During a Chiropractic Evaluation?
If someone with a known or suspected hiatal hernia comes to my office, I do not assume that the hernia explains every symptom.
I look at the overall presentation, including:
- Health history
- Current medical diagnosis and testing
- Symptom pattern
- Neck and upper-back movement
- Rib-cage motion
- Posture
- Breathing movement
- Activities or positions that reproduce symptoms
The goal is to determine whether there are musculoskeletal findings that may be appropriate for conservative care — and when referral back to a medical provider is more appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic and Hiatal Hernia
Can a chiropractor fix a hiatal hernia?
Can chiropractic care help hiatal hernia symptoms?
Can a hiatal hernia cause acid reflux?
Can a hiatal hernia cause chest pressure?
Can a hiatal hernia cause shortness of breath?
When does a hiatal hernia need medical treatment?
Not Sure Whether Your Symptoms Are Musculoskeletal or Digestive?
If you already have a medical diagnosis of hiatal hernia and are also dealing with upper-back stiffness, rib discomfort, postural strain, or movement-related symptoms, an evaluation can help determine whether a musculoskeletal component is present.
At Godo Chiropractic in Lakeview Chicago, Dr. Jason Godo evaluates the musculoskeletal findings while recognizing when symptoms require medical or gastrointestinal care.
Want to Understand What May Be Contributing to Your Symptoms?
If you have a known or suspected hiatal hernia and want a musculoskeletal evaluation, we can help determine whether conservative care is appropriate for your situation.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, gastrointestinal care, emergency evaluation, or individualized treatment recommendations.
