If you’ve been dealing with acid reflux, heartburn, or chest tightness, you may have Googled and figured out that a hiatal hernia may be the cause of your symptoms. While step one is finding out what you may be dealing with, you probably have many other questions including how to treat a hiatal hernia or if it will just go away on its own. In this blog, we’ll address these questions and concerns.
Will a Hiatal Hernia Go Away on Its Own?
A hiatal hernia doesn’t just “go away on its own” without surgery, but that doesn’t mean surgery is required nor does it mean you’re stuck with symptoms forever. Most hiatal hernias are very minor and while the structure of the hernia may stay the same, how you feel can change dramatically. Minor hiatal hernias can get to the point where you don’t even notice it anymore.
So no, it will not just go away, but for most people, symptoms will improve when they put the effort into resolving the issues causing it.
That said, if you have severe pain, are vomiting blood, or have ongoing trouble swallowing, you’ll want to get checked right away as you may actually need surgery. Those symptoms are extreme and not typical, get help ASAP.
Natural Ways People Find Relief
Gentle Hiatal Hernia Release
At our chiropractic clinic, one of the most helpful techniques we use is a gentle manual release around the diaphragm and upper stomach area. It’s not a forceful adjustment more like guided pressure that helps the stomach move back into a calmer, less irritated position. Many people are surprised how much relief they feel from something so simple, schedule a phone evaluation today to experience it for yourself.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Your breath plays a bigger role in digestion than most people realize. When the diaphragm isn’t moving well, it increases pressure on the stomach.
A simple breathing drill can make a real difference:
- Put one hand on your belly.
- Slowly breathe in through your nose and let your belly rise into your hand.
- Exhale gently through your mouth.
- Keep the shoulders relaxed and quiet.
This teaches your diaphragm to move the way it was meant to—softening pressure on the stomach.
Improving Posture and Rib Mobility
Most of us sit more than our bodies would like, and a slouched posture squeezes the diaphragm upward. Thoracic mobility work, chiropractic adjustments, and ribcage flexibility exercises can create more literal “room” for the stomach, especially when combined with targeted functional rehab techniques that improve posture and movement patterns.
Nutrition & Daily Habits That Help
Every digestive system is a little different, but here’s what we tend to see:
Foods that usually calm things down:
- Soups and broths
- Cooked vegetables
- Lean proteins
- Ginger or chamomile tea
- Oatmeal or low-acid grains
Foods that commonly irritate a hiatal hernia:
- Citrus and tomato products
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Carbonated drinks
- Fried or heavy foods
- Alcohol
Habits that support healing:
- Eating smaller meals
- Walking after meals and staying upright after eating
- Wearing looser clothing around the abdomen
- Managing stress (it’s huge for hiatal hernias)
How Functional Medicine and Chiropractic Fit In
Hiatal hernias often show up alongside other digestive issues, and that’s where chiropractic and functional medicine approaches become especially helpful.
We often take a closer look at:
- Spinal alignment
- Diaphragm function
- Posture and breathing patterns
- Food sensitivities
- Low stomach acid
- Bacterial and candida overgrowth
- Gut inflammation
- Stress response and vagus nerve health
Once we understand what else is going on, we can support digestion in a more targeted, long-lasting way with far better results than using any one approach alone.
When Natural Care Isn’t Enough
Most people with a hiatal hernia manage symptoms naturally, but surgery may be considered if:
- Symptoms are severe and constant
- There’s damage to the esophagus
- A paraesophageal hernia is present
Final Thoughts
A hiatal hernia doesn’t have to control your day. With the right combination of gentle physical techniques, smart nutrition, and functional medicine support, you can feel significantly better—often faster than you’d expect.
If you’re in the Columbus area and ready for a natural approach that actually works, the team at Active Edge Chiropractic & Functional Medicine is here to help. Contact us and schedule an appointment today to begin resolving the issues that ail you.
