How Lower Back Chiropractic Adjustments Can Improve Digestion Naturally
If you struggle with bloating, constipation, or irregular digestion, your spine might be playing a bigger role than you think. More specifically, your lower back. Many people turn to dietary changes or medication for digestive issues, but few realize that chiropractic care—especially lower back adjustments—can support digestive health by improving spinal alignment and nerve function.
In this article, we’ll break down how your lower back (lumbar spine) affects digestion and how a chiropractic adjustment may help.
How Is the Lower Back Connected to Digestion?
Your digestive system is closely linked to your nervous system. Nerves that exit the spinal cord in your lower back—particularly from the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae—communicate directly with your digestive organs, including:
• The small and large intestines
• The colon
• The pelvic floor muscles involved in elimination
When there’s misalignment or restricted movement in the lower spine or sacroiliac (SI) joints, these nerves can become irritated or compressed. This can interfere with the communication between your brain and digestive tract—leading to issues like constipation, slow motility, or abdominal discomfort.
What Is a Lower Back Chiropractic Adjustment?
One of the most common techniques used by chiropractors is called a side posture lumbar adjustment, sometimes known as a lumbar roll. Here’s how it works:
• You lie on your side with your top leg bent.
• The chiropractor positions your hips and shoulders for proper spinal alignment.
• Using a quick, controlled movement, they apply a gentle thrust to the lower spine.
• You may hear a “pop” or “crack”—that’s just gas releasing from the joint.
This high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) adjustment targets the lumbar vertebrae and sacroiliac joints, which can relieve pressure, improve mobility, and reset nervous system function.
How Can Chiropractic Adjustments Improve Digestion?
Here are a few key ways that chiropractic lower back adjustments may help with digestion:
1. Restores Nerve Function to the Gut
By aligning the lower spine, adjustments can relieve pressure on spinal nerves that regulate the digestive tract. When nerve signals flow properly, your intestines and colon can move food and waste more effectively.
2. Improves Intestinal Motility
Chiropractic adjustments may stimulate better peristalsis—the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the intestines. This can be especially helpful for people with sluggish digestion or chronic constipation.
3. Relieves Pelvic and Abdominal Tension
Misalignment in the lumbar spine or pelvis can create tension in the pelvic floor and lower abdomen. Adjustments help ease this tension, promoting regular bowel movements and reducing bloating.
4. Supports the Parasympathetic Nervous System
Chiropractic care promotes balance in the autonomic nervous system, particularly the parasympathetic branch—which controls “rest and digest” functions. This helps your body focus on breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste.
Conditions That May Improve with Chiropractic Adjustments:
• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Bloating
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Postural imbalances affecting digestion
Chiropractic Care for Digestive Health
While chiropractic care isn’t a cure-all, it can be a powerful and natural tool for digestive health—especially when lower back or pelvic misalignment is part of the picture. If you’re experiencing digestive problems along with lower back pain, it may be time to consider visiting a licensed chiropractor for a full assessment.
Looking for a chiropractor who understands the gut-spine connection in the los angeles area?
Contact our clinic today to book a consultation and see how spinal care can support your whole-body wellness.
