Breaking Free from Acid Reflux Pills: Understanding the Root Causes & Healing Naturally
A patient recently asked me a great question: “I’ve been on acid blockers for years. Is it safe to keep taking them?”
Acid reflux (or GERD) is one of the most common digestive complaints in the U.S., and the go-to treatment is usually a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like Nexium or Prilosec. But while these meds can provide short-term relief, they often fail to address the root causes—and long-term use comes with significant health risks.
Let’s break down what’s really happening when reflux occurs, why conventional medications may not be the long-term solution, and how acupuncture can help you heal naturally.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus—the muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach. That uncomfortable burning sensation? It’s the sensitive lining of the esophagus being irritated by acid that doesn’t belong there.
The main culprit is often a weak or overly relaxed lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscular valve that keeps stomach contents in place. When this valve doesn’t close properly, acid escapes upward, causing heartburn and other symptoms.
It’s Not Always Too Much Acid
Contrary to popular belief, many people with reflux actually have low stomach acid. This slows digestion, causing food to linger and ferment in the stomach—which increases pressure and pushes acid up into the esophagus.
Root causes of reflux often include:
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Weak LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) | Due to stress, smoking, obesity, aging, pregnancy, or certain foods |
| Hiatal Hernia | Condition where part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, weakening the valve between the stomach and esophagus |
| Delayed Gastric Emptying | From poor diet, stress, or medications like opioids |
| H. pylori Infection | Common bacterial overgrowth that suppresses stomach acid production while irritating the stomach lining—leading to bloating, slowed digestion, and increased pressure that can push acid upward into the esophagus |
| Low Saliva Production | Linked to dehydration, mouth breathing, and chronic stress |
Stress and the Gut-Brain Axis
Chronic stress disrupts the body’s digestive rhythm. It suppresses stomach acid production by up to 90%, weakens sphincter tone, and impairs the vagus nerve—which governs digestive secretions and motility. Stress also reduces saliva, which helps neutralize acid in the esophagus.
The result? Poor digestion, gas, bloating, and acid reflux—even in the absence of excess acid.
Effects of Acid Blockers Might Hurt in the Long Run
PPIs and other acid blockers work by shutting down acid production. While this may relieve symptoms initially, it disrupts essential digestive processes and increases the risk of:
Vitamin B12 deficiency → fatigue, memory loss, nerve damage
Low magnesium and calcium → cramps, irregular heartbeat, osteoporosis
Gut dysbiosis → bloating, SIBO, fungal overgrowth
Increased infection risk → C. difficile, pneumonia
Cognitive decline → observational links to dementia with long-term PPI use
And the rebound effect? Many people find their reflux worsens when they try to stop these meds, making it hard to quit.
Using Natural Solutions for Acid Reflux
Today, you have three natural methods to regaining control of your digestion through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes.
Acupuncture to Restore Balance
Acupuncture works through the nervous system to help restore balance in digestion.
- Regulate the vagus nerve to support motility and secretions
- Reduce sympathetic overdrive ("fight or flight")
- Improve parasympathetic tone (rest-and-digest state)
- Calm gut inflammation
- Strengthen the LES by influencing neuromuscular pathways
Herbal Medicine That Support Gut Healing
Herbal medicine offers a natural way to soothe reflux and support digestion using carefully crafted formulas. Instead of relying on a single herb, we use blends of multiple herbs designed to work together. Think of it like a team: each herb has a role, and together they're more effective than any one alone. These blends are often taken before meals or at bedtime to relieve symptoms and support long-term healing.
Lifestyle Shifts That Make a Big Difference
Simple but powerful changes to your daily routine can significantly reduce GERD symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Reflux isn’t a sign your body is broken—it’s a signal that something is off balance. Instead of silencing that message with long-term medications, you can work with your body to uncover the root cause and support true healing.
At ArTeva, we help patients move beyond daily heartburn and food fears using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and personalized care.
Ready to heal the root, not just the symptom? Let’s work together.
References
• Martinsen, T. C., Bergh, K., & Waldum, H. L. (2005). The role of pepsin and other proteolytic enzymes in the development of esophagitis. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 40(10), 887–893.
• Freedberg, D. E., Kim, L. S., & Yang, Y. X. (2017). The risks and benefits of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors: Expert Review and Best Practice Advice from the American Gastroenterological Association. Gastroenterology, 152(4), 706–715.
• Johnson, D. A., & Oldfield, E. C. (2013). Reported side effects and complications of long-term proton pump inhibitor use: Dissecting the evidence. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol., 11(5), 458–464.
• Zanasi, A., et al. (2015). Curcumin and its potential to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nutrients, 7(5), 2981–2993.
• Huberman, A. (2023). The Huberman Lab Podcast, Episode: “How to Improve Your Gut Health”.
• Hyman, M. (2023). "Say Goodbye to Heartburn: How to Beat Acid Reflux and Improve Digestion." The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman MD, Episode 981. drhyman.com
• Holt, E. & Shapiro, M. (2023). "The Acid Reflux Episode." Quiet the Diet Podcast, Season 2, Episode 4. quietthediet.com
