Personalized Hiatal Hernia Evaluation for Acid Reflux, Heartburn, Trouble Swallowing, and Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
If you’re looking for hiatal hernia treatment in Chicago, you’re likely searching for answers—not just temporary relief.
A hiatal hernia can contribute to symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest discomfort, chronic coughing, hoarseness, or the sensation that food is getting stuck after eating. Every patient experiences symptoms differently, which is why a thorough evaluation is so important.
Many patients come to Godo Chiropractic after living with these symptoms for months or even years. During your evaluation, Dr. Jason Godo, D.C., RN takes time to understand your symptoms, assess posture, breathing mechanics, diaphragm function, and musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to how you feel.
Common Hiatal Hernia Symptoms
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest discomfort
- Pain after eating
- Chronic coughing or throat clearing
- Hoarseness
- Upper abdominal pressure
- Mid-back discomfort
- The sensation that food becomes stuck
- Symptoms that worsen after meals or when lying down
Many patients travel from Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Uptown, River North, and throughout Chicago seeking a comprehensive evaluation and personalized recommendations.
What to Expect During Your Evaluation
Some common symptoms we evaluate include:
- Acid Reflux/Heartburn
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Pain in the chest
- Chronic throat clearing
- Hoarseness
- Upper abdominal pressure
- Mid-back pain
- Feeling full quickly after eating
Your evaluation may include:
- Acid Reflux/Heartburn
- Complete medical history
- Posture evaluation
- Assessment of movement
- Breathing exercises
- Assessment of diaphragm function
- Assessment of the musculoskeletal system
- Tailored recommendations
Every patient is an individual. The treatment recommendations are based on your history, examination findings, and whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition.
After your evaluation, Dr. Godo will explain the findings, answer your questions, and discuss whether conservative chiropractic care may be appropriate or whether additional medical evaluation is recommended.
What Is a Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm, the large muscle separating the chest from the abdomen.
Normally the esophagus passes through a small hole in the diaphragm before it joins the stomach. Sometimes a part of the stomach can slide up into this opening. This can cause symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, chest discomfort, or trouble swallowing in some people.
Most people with a hiatal hernia do not have any symptoms. For some people, an aneurysm is discovered during imaging tests done for other reasons. For some, however, symptoms can interfere with daily function and quality of life.
The diaphragm, posture, breathing, and surrounding muscles all work together. This can help explain why some feel persistent pain.
Not everyone with a hiatal hernia experiences symptoms, and the severity of those symptoms does not always correspond to the size of the hernia. That’s one reason a thorough evaluation is important.
If you’d like a more detailed explanation of symptoms, causes, and treatment options, read our article: Can a Chiropractor Help a Hiatal Hernia?
Does a chiropractor help with a hiatal hernia?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by patients.
It depends on who you are.
A chiropractor cannot “cure” a hiatal hernia, and chiropractic care is not a substitute for medical treatment when surgical or other medical management is required.
However, some patients seek chiropractic care because they have symptoms that could be affected by musculoskeletal factors, such as posture, diaphragm function, rib movement, spinal mobility, muscle tension, and breathing mechanics.
At the time of your evaluation, Dr. Godo will assess if chiropractic care may be appropriate in your overall management plan or if he recommends a referral to another healthcare provider.
The emphasis is always on giving you an honest opinion and helping you gain a little more understanding about what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Chiropractic care is one part of healthcare and is not intended to replace appropriate medical evaluation when necessary. For additional information about medical diagnosis and treatment of hiatal hernias, the Mayo Clinic offers an excellent patient resource.
Why Patients Travel to See Dr. Godo
Many patients seek Dr. Jason Godo’s care because hiatal hernia evaluations have become one of the areas in which Dr. Godo has developed significant clinical experience. Patients often travel from throughout Chicago and nearby suburbs looking for a thorough evaluation, clear explanations, and personalized recommendations. As both a doctor of chiropractic and registered nurse, Dr. Godo combines musculoskeletal expertise with nursing experience to help patients better understand their symptoms and treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiatal Hernia Treatment
Can a chiropractor help a hiatal hernia?
This is one of the most common questions we receive. Chiropractic care will not cure a hiatal hernia, but some patients seek care because posture, diaphragm function, rib movement, muscle tension, breathing mechanics and spinal mobility may affect how they feel. Recommendations are based on your history and examination findings. Each patient is different.
Can a hiatal hernia cause shortness of breath?
Some people with hiatal hernias report shortness of breath or a feeling of chest tightness. Because breathing difficulties can have many causes, including serious medical conditions, a proper medical evaluation is important.
Can chiropractic care cure a hiatal hernia?
Nope. Chiropractic care is not a cure for a hiatal hernia and is not a substitute for medical treatment when surgery or other medical management is required. Your assessment is intended to see if conservative chiropractic care is a good fit for you and to help you better understand what factors may be playing a role in your symptoms.
Can a hiatal hernia cause acid reflux or heartburn?
Yes. Acid reflux, heartburn, regurgitation, throat irritation or difficulty swallowing are all common for those with a hiatal hernia. Not everyone with a hiatal hernia has symptoms, and other medical conditions can cause similar complaints.
Can a hiatal hernia cause chest discomfort?
Yes. Some people with a hiatal hernia develop chest discomfort, pressure or pain. Because chest pain can also be a sign of a serious medical emergency, sudden, severe or unexplained chest pain should always be evaluated immediately by emergency medical services.
Can a hiatal hernia make it difficult to swallow?
Yes. Some patients report difficulty swallowing or the sensation that food is getting stuck. If swallowing problems become severe or progressively worsen, medical evaluation is important.
What happens during my hiatal hernia evaluation?
Your first visit includes a detailed health history, discussion of your symptoms, posture assessment, movement assessment, assessment of breathing mechanics, musculoskeletal examination, and personalized recommendations. This is so we can get a better understanding of what might be causing your symptoms and whether chiropractic care might be appropriate for your condition.
If you’ve never been to a chiropractor before, our article on What to Expect During Your First Chiropractic Visit explains the evaluation process in detail.
Will I need surgery for a hiatal hernia?
Not all hiatal hernia patients require surgery. Treatment is based on the size of the hernia, severity of symptoms, your medical history, and recommendations from your healthcare providers. In your evaluation, Dr. Godo will discuss whether conservative care might be appropriate or if you should be referred for further medical evaluation.
Why do patients choose Godo Chiropractic for hiatal hernia evaluations?
One of the most common reasons patients come to Godo Chiropractic is for an evaluation of a hiatal hernia because he has treated this condition for over 20 years. He is one of the most sought-after doctors for this condition due to his advanced training in hiatal hernia evaluation and treatment. Many patients appreciate that Dr. Jason Godo is both a doctor of chiropractic and a registered nurse. He combines chiropractic evaluation with nursing experience to provide a thorough, individualized assessment and clear explanations of your condition and treatment options..
Can a hiatal hernia get worse over time?
Some hiatal hernias remain stable for years, while others may gradually enlarge or become more symptomatic. If symptoms change significantly or worsen, medical evaluation is recommended.
When should I seek immediate medical attention?
Seek immediate medical care if you experience severe chest pain, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, severe difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, fainting, or any other emergency symptoms. These symptoms require prompt medical evaluation and should not be managed with chiropractic care alone.
Still have questions?
Every hiatal hernia is different. If you’re experiencing acid reflux, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or other symptoms and would like a personalized evaluation, we’d be happy to discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.