Exercises to strengthen lower esophageal sphincter?

The exercise described seems similar to a stomach crunch and whenever I have done, even a few I end up in pain and sick from it. It seems as if it allows the acid to come up even more rather than healing it or strengthening it.

That is what I was told as well. I have never read anything from a reliable source that suggests the LES can be strengthened through exercise.
Denise

I found this video very interesting on this subject. It is in the end down to changing completely your life style and eating habits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s75L5sJY5e4
There is also a video on youtube showing a massage technique, that's suppose to help hiatus hernia to go down. I am doing that - and I don't see any changes yet. :( I am on a strong antibiotic +Nexazole treatment for HPylori.

What a great thread, with loads of alternatives to medication. I, too, have been suffering from GERD for a year. After an upper endoscopy and three kinds of medications, nothing has helped get rid of that "food in the throat" feeling and nausea. My doctor -- who I do like -- then diagnosed my issues as "bile reflux," and wanted me to try another medication for that. I finally said enough is enough, what is the CAUSE of this GERD? If it is certain triggers and "stress," which my doctor suspects, then let's get rid of the triggers and the stress!

So far, I have been able to manage my GERD symptoms by:

1. Eating small portions (probably the number one thing I am doing to minimize GERD)
2. Eating slowly/chewing well/staying mindful
3. Eating a mostly plant-based diet (though I think this does not necessarily solve my GERD -- it just makes me feel better, overall -- though eating loads of animal products -- including dairy, eggs, etc. -- in one sitting can overwhelm my guts)
4. Staying "regular" -- constipation is definitely linked to GERD flare ups for me
5. Avoiding my trigger foods: black tea on an empty stomach, chocolate, citrus at times
6. Drinking Pu-ehr, Oolong, and Chamomile tea -- chamomile is a natural bile suppressant, while I find I can manage oolong (and some green teas) very well. Pu-ehr tea is a natural probiotic (it is pressed, aged, fermented tea) and I never have a problem with it. (It's also my favorite tea so lucky me!)
7. Drinking water slowly (no gulping)
8. EXERCISE -- this reduces my stress. I am not a yoga person but Tai Chi works well for me, as does stair climbing, bicycling, and lots of "extreme walking."
9. Finding time to "breathe" and trying to relax in this busy, hectic, crazy place (New York City)

Overall, I'd say eating slowly and small portions is the number one way I can manage my GERD without medication.

I write about my experiences with GERD on my blog, Cranky Gerd: http://crankygerd.blogspot.com/
(I think I'll link to this board thread -- such great suggestions here!)

Post Edited (crankygerd) : 4/19/2012 5:13:50 AM (GMT-6)

Are you a candadate for surgery?

I read almost every post until Steve J's, and stopped there because I am on my iPhone and only have my right contact lense in at the moment and have to close it in order to read with my left.. It's not fun or comfortable, and I doubt it's good for my eyes in any way. But, on the current topic..
I am 19, an have been smoking for about 2 years.. Started smoking regularly I would say a little over a year ago.. Around the time I turned 18 in November while I was a senior. I have worked at Ashley furniture building dressers for 6 months, which involves lots of bending over, while regularly smoking cigarettes.. And now I am working at menards distribution, and that consists of lifting and stacking boxes.. So there is quite a bit of bending over, and I eat every lunch break. And within the last week or week and a half or so, After every lunch.. I burp and it burns, and is quite painful. I have decided to quit smoking cold turkey, and cut way down on pop.. If not quit drinking pop. Also, cutdown on other various things as Steve J suggested. Other than that, could anyone give me advice on what else I could do? I bought a bunch of tums.. And don't have health insurance for another two months.

I've been curious about this thread since in theory it would treat the cause and not the symptoms.

I think it's sadly unlikely to be possible. If excersise worked, I'm sure it would be the gold standard for treating GERD. The only effective treatment to strengthen the esophageal sphincter as of now is surgery. And in the future stem cells, hopefully...

I am using carbo veg a homeopathic medicine with 100% no side effects. I used to take pantaprazole but it used to have side effects and I used to have constipation bu not anymore after using carbo veg.