Introduction: Posture and Digestion Are More Connected Than You Think
When someone has acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), they’re usually told to avoid spicy foods or sleep on an incline. But what’s rarely discussed is how posture—especially forward head posture and slouched alignment—can drive or worsen reflux symptoms.
At BreatheWorks, we understand that digestion is influenced by pressure systems, breath mechanics, and musculoskeletal alignment. Many of our patients improve their GERD symptoms not just through diet, but by correcting postural dysfunction, breathing patterns, and swallowing mechanics.
What Is GERD—and What’s Posture Got to Do with It?
GERD is a chronic condition in which stomach contents reflux into the esophagus, causing symptoms like:
- Burning in the chest or throat
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Sensation of food getting stuck
- Frequent clearing of the throat
- Chronic cough or choking
- Shortness of breath or wheezing at night
While GERD is often blamed on acid production, mechanical pressure plays a major role. Poor posture increases intra-abdominal pressure, weakens diaphragm function, and disrupts the muscular valves that keep stomach contents where they belong.
The Diaphragm’s Dual Role in Breathing and Digestion
The diaphragm is both a respiratory and digestive muscle. It helps:
- Regulate intra-abdominal pressure
- Control the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
- Maintain pressure gradients that keep acid from rising
- Support postural control and spinal stability
When posture collapses:
- The diaphragm becomes compressed and inefficient
- LES pressure is reduced, allowing reflux
- Chest breathing takes over, increasing upper-body tension
- Digestion slows, and bloating increases pressure further
This creates a cascade that worsens GERD and often leads to misdiagnosis of asthma, sleep apnea, or even anxiety.
Mouth Breathing, Swallowing, and Reflux
Patients who breathe through their mouths—especially during sleep—are more likely to swallow excess air, creating aerophagia and abdominal pressure that pushes acid upward.
Mouth breathing is often accompanied by:
- Low tongue posture
- Weak lip seal
- Overuse of neck and chest muscles
- Poor chewing and swallowing patterns
These patients are at higher risk for shortness of breath, voice strain, and reflux-related irritation.
How Posture Affects Swallowing and Aspiration Risk
Slumped posture doesn’t just worsen reflux—it increases the risk of aspiration, especially in older adults or those with neuromuscular disorders. Forward head posture disrupts the coordination of the tongue, pharynx, and esophagus.
This can result in:
- Ineffective swallowing
- Choking or coughing while eating
- Sensation of “something stuck” in the throat
- Poor clearance of refluxed material
Our speech-language pathologists near you are trained to assess these risks and correct them through postural, myofunctional, and swallowing therapy.
How BreatheWorks Treats GERD-Related Postural Dysfunction
We address GERD from the inside out by focusing on alignment, breath mechanics, and muscle function.
- Postural retraining to reduce abdominal pressure and support the diaphragm
- Myofunctional therapy to restore tongue posture, lip seal, and nasal breathing
- Breathing therapy to activate the diaphragm and reduce aerophagia
- Swallowing therapy for patients at risk of choking or silent aspiration
- Collaboration with GI specialists, primary care, and ENTs to build a whole-patient plan
Who Benefits
Our team supports:
- Infants with reflux and feeding difficulty
- Children with GERD-related sleep or speech issues
- Teens with poor posture and vocal strain
- Adults with chronic GERD, voice changes, or sleep disturbances
- Seniors with aspiration risk or post-surgical complications
Looking for speech therapy near you to help with GERD-related symptoms? BreatheWorks provides integrated care that goes beyond the digestive tract.
Key Takeaways
- Poor posture increases intra-abdominal pressure and worsens GERD
- Diaphragm function and breathing patterns are critical for digestion
- Mouth breathing and poor swallowing mechanics are common contributors
- BreatheWorks addresses GERD symptoms through airway, posture, and collaborative care
