People often come to our office with questions about reflux, chest pressure, or that tight, stuck feeling under the ribs. Once they start Googling, they quickly run into two terms that seem interchangeable: hiatal hernia and diaphragmatic hernia. You might wonder, is a hiatal hernia the same thing as a diaphragmatic hernia?
The short answer is almost, but not quite. A hiatal hernia is one specific type of diaphragmatic hernia, and understanding how the diaphragm interacts with surrounding fascia and connective tissues can make a world of difference if you’re trying to figure out why your symptoms started and what to do about them.
A hiatal hernia is a type of diaphragmatic hernia, but the two terms are not identical.
Think of it like this: all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.
The Diaphragm’s Role in Breathing, Pressure, and Comfort
To understand these hernias, it helps to know a little about the diaphragm. This dome-shaped muscle sits between the chest and abdomen and is constantly at work — helping you breathe, stabilizing your core, and even influencing digestion. When the diaphragm becomes tight, restricted, or weakened, pressure changes inside the body can set the stage for herniation.
What Is a Diaphragmatic Hernia?
A diaphragmatic hernia simply means that any abdominal organ has pushed upward through an opening or defect in the diaphragm.
This can happen for a variety of reasons:
- some present at birth
- some caused by injury
- some that develop over time as tension builds in the fascia and soft tissues.
3 Types of diaphragmatic hernias include:
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernias, which appear in infants
- Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias, usually after an accident or injury
- Hiatal hernias, which occur at the esophageal opening
Symptoms can range from breathing difficulties to vague abdominal discomfort, depending on what’s involved and how severe it is.
Can One Type of Diaphragmatic Hernia Turn Into Another?
No. Each type happens in a different location, and one does not “transform” into the other.
What Is a Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia happens when the stomach pushes upward into the esophagus, through the natural opening, esophageal hiatus.
This is by far the most common type of diaphragmatic hernia, and it’s the one most people have heard of because it’s closely tied to GERD, reflux, and that familiar burning sensation after meals.
Comparison of Hiatal Hernias and Diaphragmatic Hernias
| Hiatal Hernia | Diaphragmatic Hernia |
| Occurs at the esophageal opening | Can occur anywhere in the diaphragm |
| Often linked to reflux/GERD, other digestive issues | Symptoms depend on location but typically breathing and posture issues |
| Usually develops over time | May be congenital, traumatic, or acquired |
| Stomach pushes upward | Various organs (stomach, intestines, liver) may be involved |
Diagnosis: How Hernias Are Usually Found
For most people, hernias are found during testing for reflux, chest discomfort, or breathing issues. Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests like an X-ray, CT scan, or endoscopy. The doctor looks for where the organ has moved and which opening of the diaphragm is involved. To determine the type.
Our functional medicine doctors look at factors that imaging doesn’t show:
- rib and thoracic mobility
- diaphragm function
- posture
breathing patterns - movement restrictions
These often play a huge role in symptoms.
How Active Edge Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Helps
While structural hernias themselves don’t simply “go away,” many of the symptoms people associate with hiatal or diaphragmatic hernias are influenced by tension, posture, and breathing mechanics — all areas we work with daily.
At Active Edge, we focus on full body wellness care, to ensure we focus on the root causes of hiatal hernias. Our approach may include:
- hands-on work to reduce diaphragm tension
- gentle techniques to ease pressure around the hiatus
- restoring rib and thoracic mobility
- postural and breathing retraining
- nutritional guidance to address reflux triggers
- Supplementation to address GI infections and inflammation
Patients often notice improvements in reflux, bloating, chest tightness, and their ability to take a full breath.
Conclusion
To wrap it up: a hiatal hernia is one kind of diaphragmatic hernia, but the two terms aren’t identical. Understanding the difference can help you make better sense of your symptoms, and it’s often the first step toward finding lasting relief.
If you suspect a hernia — or if you’re dealing with unexplained reflux, chest pressure, or breathing tightness — contact us today or visit our chiropractic office in Columbus.. We’re here to help you sort it out and address the underlying issues contributing to your symptoms.
