By Dr. Boris Nektalov, DNM, DC — Board Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine | Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, Forest Hills, Queens
Last updated: April 3, 2026
What is the connection between chiropractic care and digestive health?
The nervous system controls digestive function — and when spinal misalignments compress the nerves that regulate digestion, symptoms like bloating, acid reflux, and constipation can result. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper nerve communication, which supports more efficient digestion and nutrient absorption. At Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, we combine chiropractic care with enzyme nutrition to address both the structural and chemical causes of poor digestion.
Many patients who come to our clinic in Forest Hills are focused on back pain or neck pain — and rightfully so. But what surprises them is learning that their digestive problems and their spinal problems are often connected. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, tens of millions of Americans are affected by digestive diseases — making poor gut health one of the most widespread and underaddressed health concerns in the country.
Your digestive system is responsible for supplying your body with water, nutrients, and energy. When it isn't working properly, everything suffers — your energy, your immune system, your ability to recover from injury, and your pain levels. This is why we take a comprehensive approach at Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness, addressing both structural alignment and digestive health together.
How digestion actually begins (and where most people go wrong)
Digestion doesn't start in your stomach. It starts in your mouth.
When you chew food thoroughly, enzymes in your saliva — primarily amylase — begin breaking down carbohydrates before the food ever reaches your stomach. This pre-digestive phase is critical. When food isn't chewed adequately, the rest of your digestive system has to compensate, which leads to incomplete digestion and the familiar symptoms of bloating, gas, and discomfort.
Slowing down and chewing your food properly is one of the most impactful things you can do for your digestive health.
The role of stomach acid and enzymes in proper digestion
Once food reaches the stomach, hydrochloric acid activates enzymes like pepsin, which begins breaking down proteins. Contrary to what many people believe, stomach acid doesn't destroy digestive enzymes — it supports them.
When protein digestion is incomplete in the stomach, it creates a ripple effect. In the small intestine, the liver and gallbladder must produce bile to emulsify fats. If the system is already under stress from poor protein digestion upstream, fat digestion can be compromised as well.
The result: nutrient deficiencies, increased systemic inflammation, and a body that is working harder than it should just to process a normal meal.
How the nervous system controls digestive function
This is where chiropractic care enters the picture — and it surprises most patients. Your nervous system controls virtually every function in your body, including digestion. The vagus nerve, which runs from your brainstem through your cervical spine, regulates digestive motility, enzyme secretion, and gut-brain communication. When spinal misalignments — particularly in the thoracic and lumbar spine — interfere with nerve signals, digestive function is directly impacted.
Research published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research has documented improvements in gastrointestinal function following chiropractic adjustment. Many of our patients who initially come in for back pain care report noticeable improvements in digestion, bloating, and energy levels after their adjustments — often before they expect it.
This is the root cause model in action: rather than treating the digestive symptom in isolation, we address the structural interference that may be contributing.
How chiropractic care supports gut health
Chiropractic care at Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness uses the Chiropractic BioPhysics model to restore proper spinal alignment and relieve nerve interference. When the nervous system is communicating without obstruction, the organs it controls — including the digestive organs — function more efficiently.
Patients undergoing spinal decompression therapy for disc-related conditions frequently report that their digestive symptoms also improve during the course of care. When thoracic and lumbar nerve function is supported, the gut often responds.
Enzyme nutrition: what it is and why it matters
As an enzyme nutrition specialist, I integrate this approach alongside chiropractic care for patients with persistent digestive issues.
Enzymes are biological catalysts that make digestion possible. Your body produces them, and they are also found naturally in whole, raw foods. Modern diets — heavy in processed, cooked, and refined foods — are often enzyme-deficient, which places chronic burden on the pancreas and digestive system.
Plant-based supplemental enzymes can help bridge this gap. By supporting the body's own digestive capacity, enzyme supplementation allows for better nutrient absorption, reduced digestive stress, and lower systemic inflammation — all of which support overall health and recovery from pain and injury.
Conventional vs. root cause approaches to digestive health
| Approach | Primary focus | Addresses root cause? | Drug-free? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional GI care | Symptom management (antacids, laxatives) | Rarely | No |
| Probiotics only | Gut flora balance | Partially | Yes |
| Diet changes alone | Nutrition quality | Partially | Yes |
| Chiropractic + enzyme nutrition | Nerve function + enzymatic digestion | Yes | Yes |
Most digestive care addresses what is happening in the gut, but not why it's happening. Chiropractic and enzyme nutrition target both structural interference (nerve communication) and chemical deficiency (enzyme insufficiency) that underlie chronic digestive dysfunction.
What you eat still matters
Structural and enzymatic support works best when paired with whole, nutrient-dense foods: quality proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates — while reducing processed sugars, refined grains, and excessive caffeine, all of which stress digestion and deplete enzyme reserves.
Adequate hydration is equally important. Water is required at every stage of digestion, from saliva production to nutrient absorption in the small intestine. These habits are consistently impactful when practiced alongside chiropractic care.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chiropractor help with digestive problems?
Yes. The nervous system controls digestive function, and chiropractic adjustments can remove spinal interference that disrupts nerve signals to the gut. Many patients report improvements in bloating, acid reflux, and constipation following chiropractic care, particularly when combined with enzyme nutrition support.
What causes poor digestion?
Poor digestion is commonly caused by insufficient enzyme activity, inadequate chewing, low stomach acid, gut flora imbalances, or nerve interference from spinal misalignments. In many patients, more than one factor is present simultaneously.
What is enzyme nutrition?
Enzyme nutrition is a therapeutic approach that uses plant-based digestive enzymes to support the body's ability to break down and absorb nutrients from food. Dr. Nektalov specializes in combining enzyme nutrition therapy with chiropractic care to address structural and chemical contributors to chronic digestive dysfunction.
What digestive conditions does Nektalov Chiropractic address?
We work with patients experiencing bloating, gas, acid reflux, constipation, irregular bowel function, and nutrient deficiencies — often with back pain, fatigue, or systemic inflammation. Our approach is integrative and focused on root cause.
Is this a replacement for medical care?
No. If you are experiencing severe or sudden digestive symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Our approach is complementary and best suited for patients with chronic, recurring issues who have not found lasting relief through conventional care alone.
Real healing means treating the whole body
The body does not operate in isolated systems. Your spine affects your nervous system. Your nervous system affects your digestion. Your digestion affects inflammation, energy, immune function, and your capacity to heal.
When patients come to us searching for a digestive health chiropractor in Forest Hills, Queens, they often leave with more answers than they expected — because we look at the full picture.
If you are ready to address the root cause of your digestive issues and understand how structural health connects to how you feel every day, contact our office in Forest Hills, Queens to schedule your consultation.
Dr. Boris Nektalov, DNM, DC is a board-certified Doctor of Natural Medicine and Doctor of Chiropractic, trained at Life University. He is the founder of Nektalov Chiropractic & Wellness in Forest Hills, Queens, NY, where he specializes in spinal rehabilitation and enzyme nutrition therapy. Learn more about Dr. Nektalov.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of health conditions.