What is an Ileo-Cecal Valve and how is it related to your digestive health?

Problems w/ constipation? Diarrhea? Dark circles under your eyes? Sudden low back pain after bending over to pick up a dime on the floor? Joint pains? Weakness of the Psoas, Iliacus or Quadriceps muscles – muscles involved in posture and locomotion

Could it be your Ileo-Cecal Valve?

The Ileo-Cecal Valve is located between the ileum (last portion of your small intestine) and the cecum or ascending colon (first portion of your large intestine; the appendix lays just below it.. Its function is to allow digested food materials to pass from the small intestine into your large intestine. The ileo-cecal valve also blocks these waste materials from backing back up into your small intestine. It is intended to be a one-way valve, only opening up to allow the digested material to pass through and then closing to prevent the fecal contents from “falling” back into the small intestine. When the small intestine/large intestine is not active in the process of digestion or stool production), the value is relaxed, neither open or closed.

Ileocecal Valve Syndrome

When the ileocecal valve is stuck open waste products can back up into the small intestine (much like a backed up kitchen sink drain) disturbing your digestion and also creating unhealthy toxins that are absorbed into the body. Also, if the ileocecal valve is stuck closed waste products are prevented or constricted from passing into the large intestine.

Unfortunately, this disorder is often overlooked by the medical profession. A dysfunctional ileocecal valve can result in a combination of symptoms.

Ileo-Cecal Valve Syndrome Signs & Symptoms

Dark circles under eyes

Bowel disturbances (diarrhea / constipation)

Weakness of the Psoas, Iliacus or Quadriceps muscles – muscles involved in posture and locomotion

Low back pain – esp. pain on bending over

Severe lumbar disc complaints (sharp sudden pain)

Sinus problems, post nasal drip, headaches, tinnitus

GERD symptoms

Joint pains

Pelvic congestion and pain

PMS

Chronic inflammatory or toxicity complaints

Causes of Ileo-Cecal Valve Syndrome

HCl Deficiency – Major Cause: Medication for GERD/ Tums – stops via various ways the flow of stomach acid needed to digest food, and absorb certain B vitamins and Calcuim.

Dehydration

Emotional upsets

High Colonics

How you eat (eating too quickly, eating foods you are sensitive to, under-chewing your food)

Foods you eat (carbonated drinks, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, raw foods, hot spicy foods)

TMJ Disorders

Treating Ileo- Cecal Valve Syndrome
Treatment options for ileocecal valve syndrome are adjustment of the value itself, chiropractic adjustment of the spinal segmental that innervates the value, and the small and large intestine, neurovascular & neurolympathic pts for the value and the small & large intestine, and a change in diet.

Please note that adjustment of the value must be done in order to “fix’ the problem; just doing the other techniques will not “fix” the problem.

Possible nutrition: Chlorophyll, digestive enzymes, Vitamin D, Calcium

Temporary Diet Recommendations During Treatment
Avoid for two weeks:

Roughage foods–such as: seeds, whole grains, raw vegetables

Spicy foods–such as: chili powder, hot peppers, salsas, black and cayenne pepper,

Also eliminate– liquors, alcoholic drinks, cocoa, chocolate, caffeine products