Digestive System & Movement – Communicating Systems

Dr Kogelnig: These organs are connected via the nervous and hormonal systems – no organ should be viewed in isolation. Disturbances in organ function affect other systems as well. Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can trigger inflammation in connective tissue, blood vessels or muscles.

There is a link between structure and function – a concept already recognised by F.X. Mayr. When ideal posture is lost, structural changes can reveal underlying dysfunction and impaired bodily functions.

Dr Kogelnig: Absolutely. Increased fermentation and putrefaction processes in the intestines affect posture. Gastritis, for example, can cause cramping as stomach muscles contract. The body, bent in pain, compensates with a protective posture – such as excessive pelvic tilting – which can in turn strain the ankle joints and lead to further orthopaedic issues.

Dr Kogelnig: These are often the underlying issues. If only physiotherapy is used and the digestive tract is overlooked, long-term recovery will not occur. I’ve seen many cases where restoring gut health has fully resolved musculoskeletal issues. Problems in the small intestine can manifest as thoracic spine blockages or even an irritable bladder.

There are close anatomical relationships between the intestines and surrounding organs. When bloating causes the large and small intestines to expand, it puts pressure on organs, pushing the heart, diaphragm and lungs upwards. Irritation of sensitive nerve fibres increases muscle tone in the back, altering posture.

Dr Kogelnig: Conventional medicine often draws strict lines – the orthopaedist doesn’t deal with the gut, and gastroenterologists don’t concern themselves with the musculoskeletal system. But a holistic approach is essential to understanding what’s going on. In Mayr Medicine, we think in systems. If someone presents with spinal issues, I naturally examine their internal organs. Otherwise, we’re just treating symptoms. Tenderness in the abdomen often correlates with spinal issues.

Here’s an example: the large lumbar muscle – the hip flexor – responds strongly to the colon. If the colon is irritated, the muscle shortens reflexively, potentially mimicking a herniated disc or even causing pelvic misalignment. But the problem lies elsewhere and cannot be solved by disc surgery. Only by treating the organ – via colon cleansing, healing the mucus membrane, and changing the diet to reduce fermentation – can the musculoskeletal symptoms be resolved. The root cause is the neurological connection between the diseased digestive tract and the spinal cord.

A similar phenomenon occurs with a raised diaphragm involving a reflex mechanism between the heart and duodenum. Inflammation in the duodenum or stomach irritates the intercostal muscles and often presents as "stabbing heart pain" – leading patients to see a cardiologist for what is in fact a digestive issue. This is why physiotherapy and Modern Mayr Medicine must work closely together to identify and permanently resolve these issues. Exercise, physical therapy, dietary change and lifestyle improvements are the best “medicine” for these conditions. Only by understanding the systems and their interconnections – linking the digestive tract with other organs – can we achieve long-term healing.

Dr Kogelnig: There are neural pathways connecting the circular and longitudinal muscles of the intestines directly to the spinal cord. Sensory nerve fibres transmit signals to the spinal cord’s motor horn via a reflex arc. This controls muscular processes – and in the case of gastritis, the neck and shoulder muscles, which are reflexively linked to the stomach, are negatively affected. Combined with poor posture, this can cause headaches and further spinal blockages. Sensory nerve fibres activate motor fibres in the spinal cord – establishing a direct connection to the musculoskeletal system.