[corysama]

My own N=2 study: Based on a random comment in an obscure forum, I cured my specific form of reflux for 10 years with a couple of simple stretches.

I think they only address reflux due to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiatal_hernia The theme is to physically push the stomach back down into place.

The first exercise was to lay in bed, one hand over the other just below the sternum, push in and slide down slowly. Repeat 4 or 5 times. I felt my esophagus being stretched during this, which was quite an odd sensation. I did this each morning and sometimes at night.

The second exercise needed the stomach to be filled with liquid. A bowl of cereal or a lot of water does the trick. Stand on your tip toes and fall down on your heels with a loud thud ten or so times. I did this once a day.

It took about two and a half months to see results. But, I went from “These PPIs are not effective enough” to “I don’t need any pills” for ten years.

Unfortunately, over the next ten years I gained a beer belly, the reflux returned, and I think the visceral fat is getting in the way of the manual manipulation exercise because I did not feel the stretch at all last time I tried the repeat the process. Maybe I should give it another go. But, mainly I need to lose the gut.

[saaspirant]

I am very late to the party but the first exercise you are mentioning is popular in my district in South India. It is done by elders to relatively young people with stomach issues, vomiting etc. In Tamil, it is called "Rubbing the intestine". My grandma used to do that to me when I was a kid. I had always assumed it was a superstitious pseudo-xxx stuff. I am humbled and amazed by the fact that the same procedure was rediscovered by someone from the other part of the world years later.

[slig]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I'm going to give this a try.

[throwaway032023]

On your tip toes and falling down with a thud is also a qi gong exercise.