Are there exercises that strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter?

Good question @pd02. According to this article by LiveStrong the lower esophageal sphincter doesn't respond to exercises http://www.livestrong.com/article/312504-lower-esophageal-sphincter-exercise/

"The upper esophageal sphincter can respond favorably to isometric and isokinetic neck extensions, but no physical exercise exists to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. By lifting and holding the neck from a supine position for 60 seconds at a time, you create enough tension in the muscle associated with the upper esophageal sphincter that it can strengthen the valve. Doing a similar lift and holding within the abdominal region of the body cannot provide the same results for the lower esophageal sphincter."

This article http://www.everydayhealth.com/gerd/take-a-deep-breath-for-gerd-relief.aspx cites a "small study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology showed that participants who learned breathing techniques to strengthen the diaphragm had less reflux over time than those who didn’t get the training."

Has anyone has success with such breathing exercises? cc @jafd @dandl48 @cbs61752

Hello. I am not finding....“The upper esophageal sphincter can respond favorably to isometric and isokinetic neck extensions, but no physical exercise exists to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter...." within the Livestrong article you share. As I read this article I find this, "How can such exercises work? According to Nefarati Ellis-Marin, DPT, a physical therapist with Mount Sinai West, posture and body mechanics over time can affect the diaphragm, and it's possible to re-educate the body so that the diaphragm and, in turn, the LES, work better." I see that this doesn't say it actually strengthens the ELS, but that somehow breathing exercises help your diaphragm and ELS function better. I'm not finding your quote in the article. Will you please help? Thank you.

@aed, that's very odd. I'm no longer finding that quote in the article either or anywhere else on the internet for that matter. I quoted the article in 2016, thus they have likely updated the article since then.

The article refers to this 2016 paper:
Breathing training on lower esophageal sphincter as a complementary treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a systematic review https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/4547-4552-Breathing-training-on-lower-esophageal-sphincter.pdf

I wonder if there is utube demonstrating these exercises because I would really like to try them. I am at my wits end with LPR and now my husband has also been diagnosed although his symptoms are slightly different from mine. I have become deaf from LPR and it is not a normal deafness. When I speak the sound resounds into my head and is really annoying because it means I don't want to talk. Either a U-tube or a physio therapist who knows about this method would really help.

@navia

I have been doing the breathing exercises in this video for a couple of weeks or so now.. I was already doing the diaphragm breathing after my open abdominal surgery in 2015. Adding the side resistance seems to help my sphincter to open. It works better for me when standing .. I try to do them when I take my dog outside in our yard.

The outings are anywhere from 5 -15 minutes. I add stretching exercises too .. my neighbors probably get a giggle from watching me .. lol. I have started doing .. not sure what to call them but while doing these breathing exercises I sorta go on the balls of my feet and come down on my heels, enough to jar me slightly. Because of previous foot surgery and arthritis I can not go up on my toes. The grass and my foam shoes soften the jar of my heels coming down.

Maybe the video will help others:

Aloha ZeeGee
Thank you so much for posting these exercises. I am an avid exercise person, and these breathing exercises are very simple. I will certainly try them for a few weeks and see what happens. I am feeling pretty desperate about it all. I don't really have heartburn. I have the LPR form of acid reflux which is mostly in the throat, but I can see that in the comments a person with LPR is finding that it helps.
If this helps me I shall be eternally grateful.
Thank you again

Thank you ZeeGee! I will try the exercises and maybe it will help. This can be so frustrating at times, but I am not giving up.
Thanks again!

@navia
I hope it helps you. It usually does take weeks to see improvement.

I won't get as much exercise in today. Ziggy (dog) is off on a spa day. He will return in the afternoon. I am busy washing his bed blankets and the sheets I puts on the sofa and chair that are all his. He is spoiled.