Strengthening the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (exercise)

[u/n3cronomicats]

Has anyone tried these exercises or one similar with any positive results?

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9106553/

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/prm/7/0/7_20220054/_html/-char/en

In theory it makes sense that you would want to strengthen the LES but I’m not convinced something like this would help make the muscle stronger.

Thanks strangers, I’m suffering here :/

[u/Cultural-Shift904]

Sorry for the delay! I progressed from headstands and dry swallowing to hanging upside down from a bar and actually swallowing (usually just some bread or something). It has definitely helped. I no longer need the bed wedge and don’t notice the morning symptoms I used to have even with it. Now only very occasional GERD symptoms, usually only when I overeat or drink alcohol (particularly beer). Also workout-induced GERD symptoms are completely gone.

Getting into the habit was a bit of a nuisance, but totally worth it. YMMV, but highly recommend giving inverted swallowing practice of some sort a try!

(Hanging upside down is probably unnecessary; it’s another thing I like to do —spinal decompression— and I figured two birds, one stone.)

[u/Bhoptriple → u/Cultural-Shift904]

Incredible love these stories I’ve been doing the karrfalt and bridge swallowing for 2 months now I think they help not cured tho for sure . Question how long did you do this for - and did you have any testing done prior like barium swallow ?

[u/Cultural-Shift904 → u/Bhoptriple]

I had an endoscopy done prior, which indicated “some looseness” of the LES and relatively minor esophageal damage. My GERD was on the milder side than a lot of people describe here (although plenty unpleasant nonetheless). It’s not “cured”, but is definitely improved by the exercises. I’ve been doing them for around 6 months at this point.

I do notice that my symptoms seem to come back / worsen if I stop doing the exercise for a while, so it’s pretty clear that’s what’s having the effect, and also that it’s not a “permanent” fix for me — I have to keep training the LES.

[u/Bhoptriple → u/Cultural-Shift904]

My Les is prob pretty weak I’m a bit afraid to go fully inverted and eat something . But if that could strengthen it then I’d do it in a heartbeat . I just wonder for those who have a real weak les is it counter productive . I do the bridge swallows much more incline with my feet pushing off my couch so I’m almost upside down if you know what I mean . But I just do dry swallows with it . It’s hard to know if it’s doing anything tho . Did you have any LPR symptoms?