You could be dealing with a stuck ileocecal valve.

Let’s start with the basics and the most often asked question when this topic is broached. What  and where is an ileocecal valve?

The ileocecal valve is a small round valve which lies between the Largs and small intestine. It’s found on the lower right side of the abdomen just above the appendix. The ileocecal valve’s job is to allow digested food to travel from the small intestine into the large intestine. This valve also serves to stop waste matter from backing up and flowing in the reverse direction. The ileocecal valve is intended to be a one-way passage.

When the ileocecal valve gets stuck it is almost always in the open position. If it remains open waste can back up into the small intestine. The result is a toxic unhealthy body and bad digestion.

If the ileocecal valve becomes stuck in a closed position, waste can’t get down into the large intestine so that they can exit your body as designed.

This is often completely overlooked in the medical profession and often a wrong diagnosis may be given.

How do you recognize an ileocecal valve issue?

Illeocecal valve malfunctions are often brought on by a poor diet and or extreme life stress. It can mimic many different issues from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), heart symptoms, migraines, chronic fatigue, acne, chronic systemic inflammation, and much more.

Symptoms can range from mild to painful. If you have a full blown Illeocecal valve attack it can be very clear and make you incredibly sick.

During an acute illeocecal valve attack it may duplicate the symptoms of a horribly bad stomach flu. Exhaustion, fever, cramps, vomiting, and shivering. If you ever have a stomach flu that seems like it is not going away, it may not be the flu virus at all, but a stuck ileocecal valve.

Additional potential symptoms of a stuck valve:

• Abdominal pain
• Groin pain
• Acne
• Allergies
• Arthritis like pain
• Bad breath
• Bloating
• Body Odor
• Bowel Gas
• Distension of belly
• Burping
• Candida
• Open valve creates alkalinity
• Carpal Tunnel
• Chest pains
• Chronic Fatigue
• Colds
• Colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Constipation
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Dark circles under the eyes, also a sign of kidney stress
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Digestive disorders
• Elbow Pain
• Exhaustion
• Fluid Retention
• Headaches
• Hip pain, particularly on the right
• Indigestion
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Knee pains
• Lethargy
• Migraines
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Edema
• Palpitations
• Post nasal drip
• Sinus infection symptoms
• Shoulder Pain
• Shoulder joint pain (right side)
• Skin problems
• Stiff neck
• Sudden low back pain
• Thirst
• Thrush
• Tinnitus
• Vision issues
• Water retention

How to adjust illeocecal valve.

A trained chiropractor can adjust the valve for you as well as teach you how to do it yourself at home.

Massaging the valve can help to bring relief.

Though we suggest seeing a well trained Chiropractor, trying this at home if you are in serious distress could help.

How to do Illeocecal Valve Massage: (directions courtesy of Dr. Russ Tannenbaum, D.C. http://www.drrtannenbaum.com)

“To locate the ileocecal valve area (its placement can vary slightly for each person), place your left thumb on your navel, your right thumb on your right hip (the high part of your pelvic bone). Imagine a line connecting those two points and find the middle of that line.

Place all your fingers 3 inches below the middle of that line and you should be close to the ileocecal valve.

With all of your fingers, press in FIRMLY and find the tender spot. This area will be tender in 90% of people. It will be like finding a golf ball under a pillow – but some of us have more ‘pillow’ than others so keep palpating to locate the spot. (Palpate means to press in slowly but deeply to feel for hardened or tender areas.)

Sometimes it is easier to locate the tender spot while lying down. Using some coconut oil may also enable you to find it more easily. Once you’ve found it, massage it in a circular fashion as you would any cramped muscle. Massage with medium pressure, in a rotary motion for five seconds. Then using a closed fist, briskly stimulate reflex area (right upper arm) for 10 seconds – yes, that is your upper arm.

Ideally, this massage should be done 3 times a day before meals. At the least do it in bed before going to sleep and in the morning before you get out of bed.

After all, the whole digestive tract from the throat to the rectum is a muscular tube — and any section can cramp, get ‘Charlie horses,’ become too weak to function, etc. Some people experience gurgling, flatulence, burping, or other sounds during or after this massage and sometimes a bowel movement will follow.

All of these are evidence that the ileocecal valve needs help. You’ll find that the tenderness will subside after about a week or two of diligent application of this technique, and you’ll feel much better and be healthier for it.

Do the same massage for the rest of the colon:

Massage upward from the ileocecal valve and toward the ribs where the ascending colon lies.

Then go across the belly above the navel to the opposite rib, then down the left side, winding up on the opposite side of the abdomen from the ileocecal valve.

This firm deep massage encourages proper bowel function. Learn where your tender or hardened areas are and continue this massage daily until these resolve. This whole massage can be done through the clothing but take time to locate all of the tender spots. You’ll be healthier for it.”

Temporary Diet Recommendations During Treatment

For two to three weeks

Avoid: Hard to digest food: seeds, popcorn, nuts, potato chips, pretzels, and grains,

peppers & culinary spices, alcoholic drinks, cocoa, chocolate, and caffeine.

A stuck ileocecal valve CAN be healed.

If you are experiencing symptoms that you have been unable to explain previously please give Dr. Gary Gendron, Chiropractor Bonita Springs | Nutritionist Bonita Springs a call by dialing 239-947-1177 or visiting him on the web www.chiropractorbonitasprings.com.