Still Having Hiatal Hernia Symptoms Despite Medication?
Many patients who come to Godo Chiropractic have already been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. They have tried medications, dietary changes, or other approaches but continue to experience reflux, pressure, belching, swallowing difficulty, bloating, throat clearing, breathing discomfort, or chest tightness.
Dr. Jason Godo has more than 23 years of clinical experience working with patients who have diagnosed hiatal hernias and related symptoms. His approach developed from extensive Applied Kinesiology subspecialty training and has been refined through decades of clinical practice.
The important question is not simply whether you have a hiatal hernia. It is determining what may be contributing to the problem and why the symptoms keep returning.
In some patients, the dominant pattern appears structural or mechanical. In others, gas, bloating, digestive pressure, or another gastrointestinal problem may be contributing to repeated upward pressure. Some patients appear to have both.
Do These Hiatal Hernia Symptoms Sound Familiar?
Patients who seek Dr. Godo's help commonly report symptoms such as:
In Dr. Godo's clinical experience, appropriate patients frequently report improvement in several of these symptoms during the early course of care. The response varies according to what is actually contributing to the individual patient's condition.
Can a Chiropractor Help a Hiatal Hernia?
For appropriate patients, chiropractic treatment may help address mechanical and musculoskeletal factors associated with hiatal hernia symptoms.
Dr. Godo does not assume that every patient needs the same stomach adjustment. One of the most important parts of the evaluation is determining which pattern appears to be present.
The Body May Be Contributing
Posture, spinal and rib mechanics, muscular tension, restricted extension, diaphragm-area mechanics, and body position may contribute to mechanical stress around the stomach and diaphragm.
Pressure May Be Coming From Below
Gas, bloating, digestive dysfunction, or another gastrointestinal condition may create repeated upward pressure. In these situations, treating only the mechanical component may not address why symptoms keep returning.
Some patients appear to have a combination of both patterns. Determining which factors are most important helps guide the treatment strategy.
What Is a Hiatal Hernia Adjustment or Stomach Adjustment?
The terms hiatal hernia adjustment and stomach adjustment are commonly used to describe a hands-on technique directed toward the stomach and diaphragm region.
Dr. Godo originally learned this approach through more than 500 hours of Applied Kinesiology subspecialty training. Over more than 23 years of clinical practice, he has refined both the evaluation process and the way the technique is applied.
For an appropriate patient, the technique may involve controlled downward manual pressure directed toward the upper abdominal and stomach region. Dr. Godo may also position the body into extension to address mechanical tension and mobility through the torso.
$29 AI-Assisted Posture & Pain Assessment
Most patients Dr. Godo sees for hiatal hernia care have already received a medical diagnosis. This assessment is not intended to diagnose a hiatal hernia.
Its purpose is to evaluate structural, postural, muscular, and movement factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and determine whether Dr. Godo's treatment approach appears appropriate.
Your assessment may include:
- Consultation with Dr. Godo
- Review of your diagnosis, symptoms, and health history
- Review of previous treatment and medications
- Postural evaluation
- AI-assisted posture assessment
- Spinal and thoracic movement evaluation
- Assessment of torso extension and mechanical patterns
- Manual muscle testing and evaluation of relevant muscular findings when appropriate
- Discussion of gas, bloating, and digestive pressure when relevant
- Determination of whether manual treatment may be appropriate
- Personalized recommendations and next steps
Treatment may begin during the same visit when the examination indicates that the technique is appropriate. Treatment is separate from the $29 assessment unless specifically stated.
Schedule Your $29 AssessmentAlready Diagnosed but Still Having Symptoms?
Many patients seek Dr. Godo after they have already been through the traditional medical process.
They may have had imaging, endoscopy, prescription medication, dietary recommendations, or long-term acid suppression but still experience reflux, pressure, swallowing difficulty, bloating, belching, throat symptoms, or breathing discomfort.
Some are controlling part of the problem with medication but are frustrated that there appears to be no clear end point or additional conservative option.
These are often the patients searching for a chiropractor for hiatal hernia, hiatal hernia adjustment, stomach adjustment, or another hands-on approach.
Dr. Godo frequently sees patients at this stage—not as a replacement for appropriate medical care, but because they want to know whether a structural or mechanical component has been overlooked.
Many Appropriate Patients Notice a Change Within the First Three Visits
Response varies from patient to patient. In Dr. Godo's clinical experience, many appropriate candidates for the manual approach notice some change during the first three visits.
Symptoms that tend to respond best in his experience include:
Improvement is not guaranteed, and expected response depends on what appears to be causing or perpetuating the individual patient's symptoms.
What Patients Say About Dr. Godo's Hiatal Hernia Care
“I'd driven a third of the way across the country with a raging hiatal hernia; to the point where I was having issues breathing.”
The patient described being seen immediately and receiving treatment and recommendations that allowed him to continue his trip.
Geoff Woliner — Google Review“I went to see Dr. Godo specifically for hiatal hernia care.”
The patient described Dr. Godo as extremely knowledgeable and said she felt fortunate to have found him.
Candida Jacoby — Google Review“Best chiropractor in Chicago! Helping me with the hiatal hernia...”
This reviewer specifically identified hiatal hernia as one of the reasons she sought chiropractic care.
T Nico — Google Review“I came to see Dr. Godo for stomach issues (acid reflux, stomach pain, gas, indigestion, small Hiatal Hernia)...”
The review describes digestive symptoms together with a medically identified small hiatal hernia.
Wijitra Tyra Allen — Google ReviewIndividual experiences and results vary. Reviews describe individual patient experiences and do not guarantee a particular outcome.
Hiatal Hernia vs. GERD: They Are Related but Not the Same
A hiatal hernia refers to part of the stomach moving upward through the opening in the diaphragm. GERD refers to repeated reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.
A hiatal hernia can contribute to reflux symptoms, but not everyone with GERD has a hiatal hernia, and not every patient with a hiatal hernia has the same symptoms.
This is another reason Dr. Godo evaluates the entire clinical picture rather than assuming that every reflux complaint has the same cause.
How Dr. Godo Evaluates a Patient With Hiatal Hernia
The evaluation begins with understanding your diagnosis, symptoms, previous medical care, medications, digestive complaints, and what makes the symptoms better or worse.
Dr. Godo may evaluate:
- Posture and spinal position
- Thoracic and rib movement
- Ability to extend comfortably through the torso
- Relevant abdominal and muscular tension
- Breathing mechanics
- Relationship between posture and symptoms
- Gas, bloating, and abdominal pressure
- Whether symptoms change with movement or position
- Previous abdominal or gastrointestinal surgery
- Medical history and current medications
The objective is to determine whether your symptoms appear predominantly structural, gastrointestinal, mixed, or outside the scope of chiropractic treatment.
Treatment Depends on What Dr. Godo Finds
Structural Pattern
When posture, movement, mechanical tension, diaphragm-area mechanics, or body position appear to be important contributors, Dr. Godo may use the manual stomach technique together with extension-based and other appropriate treatment.
Gas & Bloating Pattern
When significant digestive pressure appears to be continually pushing upward, the priority may be understanding and addressing gas, bloating, dietary, gastrointestinal, or related contributing factors.
Mixed Pattern
Some patients appear to have both mechanical and gastrointestinal contributors. Treating only one side of the problem may therefore be insufficient.
Medical Referral
When symptoms, history, or examination findings suggest that gastrointestinal, surgical, or other medical evaluation is more appropriate, Dr. Godo will recommend the appropriate next step.
When Dr. Godo Does Not Perform the Manual Stomach Technique
The technique is not appropriate for every patient. Dr. Godo generally does not perform the manual stomach technique on:
- Pregnant patients
- Patients with significant recent abdominal or stomach surgery
- Patients with significant pancreatic or nearby surgical procedures
- Patients whose history or examination makes manual treatment inappropriate
Additional medical evaluation or clearance may be recommended depending on your history and current symptoms.
When Hiatal Hernia Symptoms Require Prompt Medical Evaluation
Chiropractic treatment is not appropriate for every presentation. Seek prompt or emergency medical care for symptoms such as:
- Severe or rapidly worsening chest pain
- Vomiting blood
- Black or bloody stools
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Sudden inability to swallow
- Food becoming stuck
- Unexplained significant weight loss
- Fainting, severe weakness, or acute shortness of breath
- Symptoms suggesting a medical emergency
Call 911 or seek emergency medical evaluation when symptoms are severe, sudden, or potentially life-threatening.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiatal Hernia Chiropractic Treatment
Can a chiropractor help a hiatal hernia?
For appropriate patients, chiropractic treatment may help address structural and mechanical factors associated with hiatal hernia symptoms. Dr. Godo first evaluates whether the dominant problem appears mechanical, gastrointestinal, mixed, or outside the scope of chiropractic care.
What is a hiatal hernia adjustment?
A hiatal hernia adjustment or stomach adjustment generally refers to a hands-on technique directed toward the stomach and diaphragm region. Dr. Godo uses controlled manual pressure and may incorporate body extension when clinically appropriate.
Does Dr. Godo pull the stomach downward?
For appropriate patients, the technique involves controlled downward manual pressure directed toward the upper abdominal and stomach region. Whether it is appropriate depends on your history, diagnosis, symptoms, examination, and previous surgery.
How quickly might I notice a change?
Individual response varies. In Dr. Godo's clinical experience, many appropriate patients notice some change within the first three visits. This is not a guarantee of a particular outcome.
Can a hiatal hernia contribute to GERD?
A hiatal hernia can be associated with reflux symptoms because the relationship between the stomach, diaphragm, and lower esophagus may be altered. GERD can also occur without a hiatal hernia.
Can gas and bloating make hiatal hernia symptoms worse?
Significant gas and bloating can increase abdominal pressure. Dr. Godo considers whether digestive pressure may be contributing because repeatedly addressing only the mechanical component may not address why symptoms keep returning.
Can a hiatal hernia cause difficulty breathing?
Some patients with hiatal hernia report pressure or difficulty taking a comfortable full breath. Breathing difficulty can also have cardiac, pulmonary, and other medical causes, so new or severe symptoms require appropriate medical evaluation. Read more about hiatal hernia and shortness of breath .
Can a hiatal hernia cause swallowing problems?
Some patients report swallowing difficulty or the sensation that food is slow to pass. Persistent or worsening swallowing problems should also be medically evaluated because several conditions can cause these symptoms.
Do I need a medical diagnosis before seeing Dr. Godo?
Most patients Dr. Godo treats for hiatal hernia have already been medically diagnosed. If your symptoms have not been appropriately evaluated or suggest another condition, additional medical testing or referral may be recommended.
Can I stop my reflux medication after treatment?
Medication decisions should be made with the healthcare professional who prescribed them. Do not discontinue prescription medication based solely on chiropractic treatment without appropriate medical guidance.
Does the $29 assessment include treatment?
The $29 assessment includes consultation, review of your symptoms and history, postural and movement evaluation, AI-assisted posture assessment, and discussion of findings and recommendations. Treatment is separate unless specifically stated.
Are same-day appointments available?
Same-day appointments may be available depending on the office schedule. Call (773) 525-0007 for current availability.
Hiatal Hernia Chiropractor Near You in Chicago
Godo Chiropractic is located at 3118 N. Sheffield Avenue, Unit 1S, Chicago, Illinois 60657.
Dr. Godo treats patients from Chicago as well as patients who travel from outside the area specifically seeking his experience with hiatal hernia treatment.
Our Chicago service area includes:
- Lakeview
- Lincoln Park
- Wrigleyville
- Northalsted
- Roscoe Village
- Uptown
- River North
- Other Chicago neighborhoods
Schedule Your $29 Hiatal Hernia Posture & Mechanical Assessment
If you have already been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and are still dealing with reflux, pressure, belching, swallowing difficulty, breathing discomfort, bloating, chest tightness, or related symptoms, the next step is determining whether a structural or mechanical component may be contributing.
Schedule your assessment online or call the office with questions.
Individual results vary. Patient reviews describe individual experiences and do not guarantee results. The information on this page is educational and is not a substitute for individualized medical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or emergency care.
