Recently Dianne and I went to the Delmarva Peninsula, the “other” Eastern Shore. Our oldest son lives there and it was our granddaughter's third birthday. We wanted to be there for the monumental occasion. Our son was building a new house for his wife and family, and it was to be finished by the time we got there so we could stay in the new house. Needless to say that never happened; we ended up staying with my good friend, Tracey, and his wife, Kim.

Tracey was a Black Belt Instructor for me at the Delmarva Oriental Studies Institute in Delmar, Del., when I lived there some 20 years ago. Now he works as a technician for Delmarva Power & Light Co. and his wife, Kim, is a nurse at Peninsula General Medical Center where I did a sports medicine residency.

One evening we were all sitting around talking and trying to decide about going out for dinner and Tracey started telling us some of his medical concerns.

“I eat a pizza and suddenly the acid in my tummy washes up, and ignites what feels like a small fire in my chest. I’m miserable for the next two or three hours. I’ve even thought I was having a heart attack it became so bad,” he said.

About 60 percent of Americans experience heartburn, or acid indigestion, sometimes called acid reflux, at some point each year. There are even those who experience this scenario weekly or daily. This is usually diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease, called GERD or acid reflux for short.

In addition to setting off chronic coughing, hoarseness and nausea, acid reflux can severely irritate and damage the lining of the esophagus and stomach. In the past decade hospitalizations for GERD-related disorders have more than doubled, and suffers are spending in excess of a billion dollars each year for over-the-counter treatment, according to the American College of Gasteroenterology.

If you are plagued by heartburn, reflux and simple digestive disorders, you may wish to seek a second opinion from an alternative medicine practitioner. Alternative procedures can often give permanent relief and stave off the more serious problems that may come down the road.

Acupuncture procedures address the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms by accessing the whole individual and not just the “GERD.” It is often found that eating methods and food consumption may be the root cause of the condition. It may be necessary to alter the way one eats for a few months. Eat small meals throughout the day, eat more slowly and don’t lie down after eating. These are a few tips I want to suggest that are easy to put into your routine.

Also, many people don’t realize how much nicotine triggers acid production in the stomach. Just another reason to stop the tobacco habit!

Nutritional procedures are often the answer for the majority of people with gastrointestinal distress. After a through nutritional assessment, it is often found that a person may be taking the wrong calcium for their age or not taking calcium with magnesium or vitamin D. They may be taking synthetic supplements that can’t be absorbed. The individual may need enzymes and amino acids or the proper minerals. The problem can often be resolved within a few months of correcting one's diet and supplements instead of expensive test and a different medication to try.

Managing stress, especially around the time an individual eats, is also very important and easily accomplished. The alternative and Integrative practitioner often utilizes emotional and relaxation procedures. Most people think of their digestive system as a plumbing system for the body. In fact the whole process is managed by the nervous system. That is why the brain can upset the gut as easily as your gut can upset your brain. To calm the mind and gut we suggest Yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong exercise or a relaxing period of meditation for the mind.

You don’t have to tolerate heartburn, indigestion or other gastrointestinal disorders just because a doctor hasn’t taken the time to assess your needs. Once you start putting good foods in your body, exercising, de-stressing and taking better care of yourself, the outcome is going to be better health!

Please address any questions, comments or concerns to the author at: bamashogun@aol.com, or visit www.alternative-concepts.com