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286// Hiatal Hernias Can’t Keep You Stuck: How to Heal Acid Reflux Without Surgery

October 16, 2025

Natural Hiatal Hernia Treatment for Acid Reflux Relief

Do you actually need surgery for a hiatal hernia? Or are you being sold a half-truth that keeps you stuck with acid reflux, GERD, and a whole lot of frustration?

Let’s bust the biggest myth in functional medicine right now: A hiatal hernia is NOT a life sentence — and yes, you can reverse acid reflux without drugs or going under the knife.

I’m Allison Jordan, a functional medicine practitioner and founder of Better Belly Therapies. Since 2018, I’ve helped hundreds of clients eliminate GERD, acid reflux, and even reverse hiatal hernias using root-cause medicine.

Ready to learn the truth? Buckle up.

What is a Hiatal Hernia Really?

A hiatal hernia happens when the top of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm into your chest cavity. It’s sneaky. It’s uncomfortable. And it messes with EVERYTHING.

But here’s the kicker: most doctors only catch it if it shows up on an x-ray or endoscopy. That means most hiatal hernias go undiagnosed — even when they’re causing full-blown GERD symptoms.

Types of hiatal hernia:

  • Sliding hiatal hernia — the most common (95%). It comes and goes, sliding up and down through the diaphragm.
  • Paraesophageal hernia — less common but potentially more serious.
  • Type IV — a rare structural defect, typically requiring surgery.

So what causes them?

Root-Cause Hiatal Hernia Causes

Hiatal hernia causes aren’t random. They’re rooted in one major issue:

Pressure imbalance.

Your diaphragm is the gatekeeper between your thorax (lungs) and abdomen (gut). When pressure builds up below the diaphragm and gets too high, your stomach can get pushed upward.

What triggers that pressure?

  • Chronic bloating
  • Constipation
  • Frequent coughing or sneezing
  • Straining during bowel movements
  • Heavy lifting
  • Vomiting
  • Pregnancy or childbirth
  • Obesity
  • Accidents or trauma (car crashes, sports injuries)

You don’t have to check every box to be affected.

When I was pregnant with my second daughter, I got the stomach flu. After violently vomiting (think burst blood vessels, black eye, and all), I developed a sliding hiatal hernia. Breathing was hard. Rib pain was real. Acid reflux was daily.When those fail, reflux rises.

Hiatal Hernia Symptoms Most Doctors Miss

You probably already know about:

  • Acid reflux
  • GERD
  • Heartburn

But hiatal hernia symptoms go deeper:

  • Pain across the front rib cage
  • Mid-back pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Feeling full fast
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Chest tightness when inhaling

Doctors may dismiss this as anxiety or indigestion. They’re missing the bigger picture.

If you’ve been told your hiatal hernia will never go away… you’ve been lied to.

Let’s fix that.

Why Acid Reflux Isn't About Stomach Acid

Here’s the plot twist: GERD and acid reflux aren’t caused by too much stomach acid.

They’re caused by poor pressure regulation and mechanical dysfunction at the diaphragm.

Your diaphragm should function like a teeter-totter — perfectly balancing pressure between your chest and gut. When that balance is off, acid reflux follows.

And guess what?

Taking acid reflux drugs (like PPIs) only masks the symptom. They don’t fix the root problem. In fact, they make things worse by reducing stomach acid — which you need to digest food and protect your gut.

Natural Hiatal Hernia Treatments That Actually Work

Forget surgery. Forget prescriptions. You need to address the root cause.

Here’s what real hiatal hernia repair looks like:

1. Balance Thoracic and Abdominal Pressure

Your pressure systems need to be in harmony.

You can do this by:

  • Releasing fascial restrictions with visceral manipulation
  • Reducing bloating and constipation
  • Treating mold, parasites, or food sensitivities
  • Improving breath mechanics (hello, diaphragm!)

2. Heal the Diaphragm and Fascia

We teach our clients how to test and treat their diaphragm and abdominal fascia using self-guided techniques.

Benefits include:

  • Less bloating
  • Better posture
  • Improved breathing
  • Reduced rib and back pain

3. Identify Functional Triggers

If you have GERD or a hiatal hernia bulge, you need to know what set it off:

  • Mold exposure?
  • Asthma?
  • Poor digestion?
  • Infections?

We test for it ALL inside the Better Belly Blueprint.

The Better Belly Blueprint: Your Shortcut to Acid Reflux Relief

Since 2018, our clients have:

  • Reversed their hiatal hernia of the stomach
  • Weaned off acid reflux drugs
  • Stopped bloating, GERD, and nausea
  • Got back to eating the foods they love (without fear)

This is root-cause healing. And it works.

“I had acid reflux for YEARS. I thought it was normal. Within weeks of working with Allison, it was gone. No meds. No surgery. Just real results.”

Whether you’re dealing with gastroparesis (aka paralyzed stomach), chronic reflux, or a diagnosed hiatal hernia, there’s a path forward.

Acid Reflux Remedies That Don't Involve Meds

Looking for acid reflux home treatment options? Start with these:

  • Practice diaphragmatic breathing daily
  • Reduce bloating triggers (think dairy, gluten, sugar)
  • Sleep on your left side
  • Avoid trigger foods like caffeine, chocolate, spicy food, and fried fats
  • Stop eating 2-3 hours before bed

Need more? Try:

  • Digestive bitters
  • Ginger tea
  • Manual therapy for the stomach and ribs
  • Mold and pathogen testing

There are so many acid reflux treatments that go beyond PPIs.

Why Hiatal Hernia Surgery Should Be Your Last Option

Most doctors won’t tell you this, but… even if you have a visible sliding hiatal hernia, you may NOT need surgery.

Sliding hernias move. They’re not stuck. And if you fix the pressure problem, they stop sliding up in the first place.

What surgery can’t fix:

  • Chronic bloating
  • Mold or parasites
  • Fascia and breath mechanics

But our clients have fixed ALL of those.

Hiatal hernia surgery has its place. But don’t start there.

Start here → Better Belly Blueprint

Real Stories. Real Healing.

If you’re still skeptical, read this:

“My doctor told me I'd need surgery for my hiatal hernia. I didn't want to believe it. I found Allison and started her program. Within 3 months, my reflux was gone, my pain was gone, and my energy was BACK.”

Another client said:

“PPIs didn’t work. Diet changes didn’t work. The Better Belly Blueprint showed me what actually caused my symptoms. I’ve never felt better.”

Ready to Take Back Your Gut Health?

You don’t need another drug. You don’t need another restricted GERD diet. You don’t need another specialist telling you it’s all in your head.

You need a SYSTEM. One that works.

Join the Better Belly Blueprint and:

  • Get real answers about your symptoms
  • Learn how to identify and remove root causes
  • Heal your gut for GOOD

👉 Visit betterbellytherapies.com/blueprint to get started today.

Let’s make reflux, hernias, and gut problems a thing of the past.

Because you deserve to eat, sleep, breathe, and LIVE without pain. ❤️


Discover the real causes of acid reflux and GERD symptoms, why drugs fail, and how to find lasting relief without long-term meds.

 EPISODES MENTIONED:

HEAL YOUR GUT TODAY!

Option #1) 👉 Join the Better Belly Blueprint today!

Option #2) 👉 Work long-term, 1:1 with me as a Better Belly VIP client (Pay-in-full and payment plan options available)

RESOURCES:

LINKS:

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  • If this podcast episode made positively impacted you, please leave a Rating and Review for the podcast. It'd mean so much! ❤️

*This episode was first published at BetterBellyTherapies.com/286

 

 

286// Hiatal Hernias Can’t Keep You Stuck: How to Heal Acid Reflux Without Surgery

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