Introduction: Your Digestive Health Starts with Your Posture
If you suffer from reflux, bloating, or indigestion, your first step might not be in the medicine cabinet—it might be in how you sit and breathe. At BreatheWorks, we help patients improve digestion by focusing on airway alignment, oral function, and postural support.
Because how you breathe, chew, and swallow has a direct effect on how your stomach and intestines function.
How Posture Influences Digestion
Poor posture compresses abdominal organs and weakens:
- Esophageal sphincter function, contributing to GERD
- Diaphragmatic movement, reducing gut motility
- Core stability, promoting sluggish digestion
- Jaw and oral mechanics, impairing chewing and swallowing
These problems can lead to:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Bloating and gas
- Slow digestion and constipation
- Malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies
- Shortness of breath after meals or when slouched
Real-World Case: A 40-Year-Old with Daily Reflux and Bloated Stomach
This patient presented with:
- Daily heartburn and GERD, especially after meals
- Bloating and fatigue after eating
- Poor posture at her desk job
- Signs of mouth breathing and jaw clenching
Evaluation revealed:
- Collapsed core and slouched sitting posture
- Shallow breathing with upper chest recruitment
- Inconsistent tongue-palate contact and fast, noisy chewing
- Signs of improper swallowing and overuse of the neck during meals
Our care plan:
- Myofunctional therapy for proper tongue posture and chewing patterns
- Postural retraining with ergonomic setup at work and home
- Breath-led digestion exercises to improve parasympathetic tone
- Referral to a GI specialist for reflux medication review
Results after 6 weeks:
- Fewer reflux episodes and more comfort after meals
- Improved posture and core awareness
- Slower, more mindful chewing and easier swallowing
- Reduced bloating and better energy levels post-meals
Why Myofunctional Therapy Helps Digestion
Chewing and swallowing engage over 30 muscles—and if any part of that system is misaligned, the entire digestive cascade is disrupted.
Mouth breathing and poor oral posture also increase:
- Air swallowing (aerophagia), contributing to bloating
- Poor food breakdown due to rushed or uneven chewing
- Ineffective peristalsis from stress or vagal dysregulation
How BreatheWorks Supports Gut Health Through Structure
✅ Myofunctional therapy to retrain chewing, breathing, and swallowing
✅ Breath and posture work to restore vagal tone and gut motility
✅ Collaborative care with gastroenterologists, nutritionists, and PCPs
✅ Customized care for adults and children with GERD, bloating, or oral-motor issues
✅ Whole-body therapy to treat root causes—not just symptoms
Signs Your Digestion May Be Posturally Linked
- Frequent bloating or discomfort after meals
- GERD or heartburn not fully managed by medication
- Slouched posture during or after eating
- Mouth breathing or sighing after meals
- Choking or discomfort when swallowing
- Incomplete chewing or rushed eating habits
- Coexisting speech therapy needs or airway dysfunction
Key Takeaways
- Digestion begins with posture and breath—not just the stomach
- Poor alignment impairs chewing, swallowing, and gut motility
- Myofunctional therapy and posture correction improve digestive outcomes
BreatheWorks offers integrative care for reflux, bloating, and GI issues
