Reflux & Indigestion
What Reflux Actually Is
Reflux, heartburn, and indigestion are often grouped together, but they’re not simply about excess acid or “acid coming up.”
Reflux happens when digestion in the upper gut isn’t flowing as it should. This can allow stomach contents to move upward and irritate the oesophagus, leading to burning, discomfort, nausea, or a feeling of pressure in the chest or throat.
Contrary to common belief, reflux is often linked to low stomach acid, impaired digestive flow, or pressure from below, rather than too much acid alone.
A Common Reflux Experience
Many people notice that reflux isn’t consistent. Symptoms may worsen at night, after meals, during stressful periods, or seemingly without a clear food trigger. Some days feel manageable, while others feel uncomfortable despite eating the same foods.
This fluctuation happens because reflux is influenced by several factors that change day to day, including:
how efficiently the stomach empties
pressure from bloating or slowed motility lower down
posture, breathing patterns, and diaphragm tension
stress levels and nervous system state
hormonal shifts
When these patterns are understood, reflux starts to feel less random, and less frustrating.
The Nervous System and the Diaphragm
Reflux is closely connected to the nervous system and the diaphragm.
Stress can increase tension through the upper abdomen and chest, altering pressure around the oesophagus and reducing digestive efficiency. Many people with reflux hold a chronic “bracing” pattern in the diaphragm, often without realising it.
When the body is in a heightened stress state, digestion becomes less coordinated. Gentle somatic awareness and nervous system support can make a meaningful difference here, particularly when reflux flares during emotional or stressful periods.
What’s Often Missed
Reflux is frequently treated as a surface-level acid problem. While medication can reduce irritation in the short term, it doesn’t always address why reflux developed in the first place.
Underlying contributors that are often overlooked include:
low stomach acid or enzyme output
slowed gastric emptying
microbial imbalance or SIBO
long-term medication use
hormone-related changes
chronic stress or tension patterns
When these layers aren’t explored, symptoms may improve temporarily but continue to return.
A More Supportive Way Forward
Lasting improvement with reflux usually comes from restoring upper digestive function rather than suppressing symptoms alone.
Support may involve improving stomach acid and digestive capacity, supporting motility and flow, addressing microbial balance, reducing inflammation, and working with the nervous system to reduce tension and reactivity.
The aim isn’t to “manage reflux forever,” but to help digestion function more comfortably and consistently over time.
This Page in One Sentence
Reflux isn’t just an acid issue, it’s a pattern shaped by digestion, pressure, motility, and nervous system regulation, and it improves most when these layers are supported together.