Explore effective GI disorder treatment options to enhance your digestive health and overall well-being to reduce pain.

What Are GI Disorders?

How often does a huge lunch leave you feeling bloated? Have you ever had gastrointestinal inflammation or constipation? Or do you have muscles and joints that are stiff? Environmental variables may disrupt the gastrointestinal system and produce several overlapping risk profiles in the body by extending their effect onto the musculoskeletal system. This can result in pain-like sensations that often resemble musculoskeletal illnesses, although many individuals are unaware of this. Depending on their severity, gastrointestinal (GI) problems are often frequent and may be difficult to treat, with major medical and social repercussions. In 2018, Malone et al. Gastric reflux disease (GERD), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are a few prevalent GI disorders. In the musculoskeletal system, GI issues may be a contributing factor to persistent discomfort, inflexible joints, and muscular dysfunction. Understanding the relationship between the stomach and the musculoskeletal system helps many people find practical, non-surgical solutions that may alleviate pain and enhance their quality of life.

 

How GI Disorders Affect The Gut & Musculoskeletal System

Many individuals question how environmental variables might impact their muscles and intestines, and they play a significant role in the development of GI illnesses. One environmental component that might have an impact on the muscles and intestines is stress. A person’s physical and mental health may be impacted by stress, which can alter how the gut bacteria react and result in gastrointestinal diseases. In 2011, Konturek et al.

 

Inflammation & Systemic Effects

When the body begins to experience GI difficulties, inflammation develops and adheres to the damaged region, resulting in problems with the stomach. In the gastrointestinal system, inflammation may cause low-grade inflammation, compromise the integrity of the gut barrier, and interfere with normal food and nutrient digestion. (Casini & colleagues, 2024) Chronic gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which have inflammatory components, may result from this. The musculoskeletal system may then experience systemic inflammation as a result of the release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines into the bloodstream, which may lead to symptoms including tiredness, joint stiffness, and muscle discomfort.

 

Nutrient Malabsorption & Deficiencies

IBD, chronic diarrhea, and celiac disease 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 often confused with fibromyalgia or arthritis.

 

Gut Dysbiosis & The Nervous System

Often referred to as the “second brain,” the gastrointestinal system and the neurological system have a special connection. An imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) may lead to the development of a leaky gut since the gut contains trillions of bacteria and works to transfer nutrients from meals to other bodies. Toxins may enter the circulation as a result, triggering the immune system. Widespread inflammation and musculoskeletal pain result from this, which impacts the quality of life and pain of the musculoskeletal system from the stomach. In 2024, Casini et al. Both muscle function and pain perception are simultaneously regulated by the gut-brain axis.

 

Visceral-Somatic Reflexes & Referred Pain

Referred pain patterns may result from GI problems, when the musculoskeletal system experiences visceral distress. One sign of visceral pain hypersensitivity is persistent stomach pain or discomfort (Farmer & Aziz, 2009). Because of visceral-somatic reflexes, IBS may produce lower back and pelvic pain, while GERD can cause chest and upper back pain.

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Fighting Inflammation Naturally: Video

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Functional & Nonsurgical Approaches To Reduce GI Pain

The following non-surgical, evidence-based methods may be used to treat musculoskeletal and intestinal pain:

 

Dietary Modifications

A healthy diet is a good place to start when making little adjustments to enhance gut health. In addition to affecting and regulating many vital bodily processes, including gastrointestinal hormones, a nutritious diet may provide energy, promote body development, and aid in healing. (2019, El-Salhy). Incorporating meals high in omega-3s and polyphenols may help lessen the gut’s inflammatory effects by eliminating trigger foods that result in overlapping pain sensations. The following diets may be helpful for GI disorders:
Dietary Elimination and Anti-Inflammatory
Diet of FODMAPs

 

Pro-& Prebiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics may support the restoration and balance of gut flora in relation to gut health. While prebiotics use foods high in fiber to nourish the good bacteria and promote gut health, probiotics include good bacteria that help balance the gut microbiota and lower inflammation. Incorporating these two helps stop intestinal inflammation by restoring the dynamic equilibrium between the intestinal mucosa’s microbiota and host defense systems. Dhaneshwar and Roy, 2023

 

Stress Management

Reducing environmental stresses that lead to gastrointestinal illnesses and musculoskeletal discomfort helps the body unwind and ease tight muscles. The following are some methods that individuals may use:
Meditation and mindfulness: Progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, and deep breathing may all help lessen pain perception and gut sensitivity.
Enhancing pain tolerance and managing GI symptoms brought on by stress are two benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT.

 

Manual Therapies

Pain from musculoskeletal diseases may be lessened by manual therapy. A variety of treatments may be used by massage therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors to assist strengthen and stretch weak muscle groups and lessen the body’s inflammatory response. Here are a few of these treatments:
The goal of osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) is to enhance gastrointestinal motility and alleviate referred pain.
The hands-on technique known as visceral manipulation improves digestion and eases musculoskeletal stress by releasing limitations in the belly.
Massage therapy may ease tension in the back and abdominal muscles and lessen symptoms of stress-related gastrointestinal disorders.

 

Acupuncture

Through autonomic nervous system stimulation, acupuncture has been shown to enhance gastrointestinal motility and lessen discomfort associated with IBS. In order to provide relief, acupuncturists insert tiny, thin needles into the body’s many acupoints. Neuromodulation, intestinal barrier adjustment, and healing are all part of acupuncture. Li et al. (2023)

 

 

Conclusion

Because the risk profiles of GI diseases and the musculoskeletal system overlap and correlate, their interactions are distinct. More efficient therapies to lessen GI illnesses are made possible by an understanding of this link. Comprehensive treatments to GI-related musculoskeletal pain may be obtained by combining functional, non-surgical methods, such as movement-based therapies, manual therapies, stress management, gut microbiota maintenance, and dietary modifications. A person may get long-lasting relief and enhanced well-being by addressing the underlying cause of dysfunction with these little adjustments to their daily routine, such as exercising or following a balanced diet.

 

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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.

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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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