Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease usually caused by the reflux of acidic gastric and duodenal contents into the distal esophagus. GERD is a common digestive disease with the direct medical costs estimated around $9.3 billion annually [1] .

It has a great medical-social importance, with a high and growing prevalence. It is the cause of various esophageal symptoms 3 - 7 and extra esophageal symptoms [2] [3] , having a negative impact on quality of life [4] [5] with reflex on the economy of the society.

GERD results from failure of the barrier mechanism of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing the distal esophagus to be exposed to gastric juice [1] .

This loss of barrier function has been considered largely from a structural perspective, with manometry frequently demonstrating a defective LES in patients with GERD [2] [3] .

Pandolfino et al. [6] suggested that the compromised crural diaphragm (CD) function, indicated by diminished inspiratory augmentation of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) pressure found on high-resolution manometry results, is an independent predictor of GERD. They also stated that the radial dimensions or distensibility of the hiatal canal or the thickness and elasticity of the CD itself may be important factors in maintaining diaphragm function.

According to Lossing et al. [7] , the viscera are connected to the musculoskeletal system by connective tissue forming functional chains that connect all of the anatomic elements from head to toe.

Nutritional advice, additional and lifestyle modifications are recommended as therapy for GERD.

The present paper defines a simple treatment plan for manual therapists, which is designed to reduce the GERD associated symptoms.

We provide an overview of its management using Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), dietary modification and nutritional supplementation, according to the current evidence-based literature.

Over a century ago Andrew Taylor Still devised a system of disease prevention and treatment through mechanical manipulation known as OMT. He identified the musculoskeletal system as a key to health, hypothesizing that every illness was the result of an anatomical disorder associated with physiological discord, termed “Somatic Dysfunction” (SD). SD is “impaired or altered function of related components of the somatic framework; skeletal, arthroidal, myofascial and related vascular, lymphatic and neural elements” [8] . It contributes to the effect of organic pathology and is catalogued as a disease of musculoskeletal system (ICD-9, code 739). Primary SD is completely reversible when correctly diagnosed and treated with OMT. Secondary SD also responds to OMT but will recur unless the primary pathology is identified and treated SD is diagnosed by palpation procedures (“A.R.T.T.” examination) [9] , OMT consists of a range of direct, indirect, combined, fluid and reflex-based manual techniques (Figure 1) that are applied specifically to a joint or non-specifically to a body area [10] . Direct techniques apply thrust, impulse, muscle contraction, fascial loading, or passive range of motion. They engage the restrictive barrier and use an activating force to achieve the tissue response and correct the SD. Indirect, fluid, balancing,

or reflex-based techniques do not engage the restrictive barrier. They use fascial massage, fascial and soft tissue loading or unloading, hydraulic pressures, respiration phases and cranial or postural adjustments [11] [12] .

In GERD, OMT focuses on the nervous and circulatory systems, spine, viscera, thoracic and abdominal diaphragm in order to restore homeostatic balance, normalize autonomic activity in the Gastroesophageal junction, promote lymphatic flow and address SD.

The first step assesses the risk factors for esophageal cancer and pattern of signs and symptoms. Safety is paramount. If alarm signals, or “Red Flags” [13] [14] [15] , are present the patient should be referred to a physician (Table 1).

Sagittal Plane Symmetry and the Common Compensatory Pattern (CCP) are observed in the postural examination [10] [16] . The therapist then starts palpation using A.R.T.T. diagnostic criteria to search for SD [17] . Attention focuses on sympathetic innervation from the middle thoracic to segments (T5-T10) the collateral sympathetic ganglia (celiac, upper and superior mesenteric).

Treatment of the upper cervical spine and Thoracic, cranial base and general sub-occipital and area releases tension on the vagus nerve, as it passes through the jugular foramen.

Assessment continues with the mid-cervicals (C3, C4, C5), where the phrenic nerve arises to supply the thoracic diaphragm, and visceral manipulative treatment (VIS) with four techniques in reduction: Lower Thoracic Cage Release, Esophageal release, Myofascial Release (MFR) Diaphragm and sphincter normalization by recoil, (Figure 2). In GERD, lymphatic and venous congestion should be treated by the lymphatic pump techniques and stimulation of chapman’s reflex points esophagus and stomac (Figure 3). They increase lymph flow and im-

*NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

prove blood circulation thus facilitating healing and enhancing the efficacy of any medication [10] [12] [18] [19] [20] .

Many lifestyle modifications are recommended as therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (Table 2). These include the avoidance of foods that reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure and thus predispose to reflux, the limiting of exposure to acidic foods that are inherently irritating, and the adoption of behaviors to minimize reflux or heartburn.

Although trials of the clinical efficacy of dietary or behavioral changes are lacking [21] , clinical experience suggests that particular patients may benefit

*The rationales for proscribed foods and lifestyle modifications are based on clinical experience or, in some instances, small physiological studies showing a relevant effect, such as the reduction of lower esophageal sphincter pressure. These recommendations should be advocated selectively on the basis of the circumstances of a particular patient. BMI denotes body-mass index, which is calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.

from certain measures [22] [23] [24] . For example, patients with sleep disturbance from nighttime heartburn may benefit from elevation of the head of the bed, but that recommendation is probably superfluous for a patient without nighttime symptoms. Weight reduction should routinely be recommended in overweight patients, given the strong association between an increased body-mass index and the likelihood of symptoms [22] [25] .

GERD is the most common gastrointestinal diagnosis recorded during visits to outpatient clinics [12] . Although not considered a severe illness [26] , it is one of the most common disorders of the gastrointestinal system [27] . It has a great medical-social importance, with a high and growing prevalence. The esophageal symptoms and conditions associated [28] [29] [30] (Table 3) have negative impact on quality of life [31] with reflex on the economy of the society. When standard or surgical medical therapies do not produce the desired outcome or do

result in adverse effects, patients may turn to complementary or alternative treatments. In the United States, the overall expenditure for complementary and alternative medicine is in the tens of billions of dollars per year [32] . Alternative methods of treatments are being investigated to avoid long periods of drug treatment or surgical procedures. Osteopathic manipulative treatments (OMT), which are considered by some to be a complementary or alternative medicine, are based on concepts and unique approaches that enable the self-healing and self-regulating process within the body [33] . Generally, 1 to 3 treatment sessions will reveal whether an osteopathic approach is helpful and cost effective [7] . Other well controlled studies evaluating new therapeutic options, to be used either alone or in association with well-established methods of treatment for GERD, are necessary [34] . The OMT provides the patient with relaxation, normalized autonomic control mechanisms, congestion and symptom relief, and better control over his/her reactions to stress [12] .

Therapists now need to take a more holistic view of patients with GERD and provide a more comprehensive treatment model. Combining OMT with appropriate nutrition appears to be an optimal approach and might represent a promising strategy. Although this therapeutic plan may not be ideal for everyone, the majority of patients could well benefit from its use. The positive effect of the OMT program on quality of life shows that visceral applications can be useful [35] . The combination of the therapeutic model OMT and Nutrition described could represent both improvements in quality of life that reduction a health care costs.

Collebrusco, L., Lombardini, R. and Censi, G. (2017) An Alternative Approach to the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Manual Techniques and Nutrition. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 5, 98-106. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojtr.2017.53009