That heavy, pressured, food-isn't-going-anywhere feeling after meals is one of the most exhausting GI symptoms to live with and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, Dr. Heather breaks down why food can feel like it just sits in your stomach for hours, what's actually driving that slowdown, and why standard testing often misses it entirely. Digestion that is underpowered, depleted, or stuck in survival mode has a real path forward and this episode walks you through exactly what's going on.

In This Episode

• Why the "brick in your stomach" feeling is a digestion slowdown, not a broken body
• What good digestion actually feels like and why low stomach acid is so often missed
• Why "healthy foods" can sometimes make symptoms worse
• The vagus nerve, nervous system, and why you can't fully digest in fight-or-flight
• A real client case study and why sequencing matters as much as the protocol

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

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Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

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Apply for gutTogether®

Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!

Reflux is one of the most common symptoms we see… and also one of the most misunderstood. Most people are told it’s either too much stomach acid or not enough, but many still feel stuck even after trying both approaches. In this episode, we take a step back and look at reflux through a more complete lens. While its easy to assume reflux means "too much" or "too little" acid, its more nuanced than that. It often involves how your body is handling it, including factors like pressure, motility, and how well that “lid” between your stomach and esophagus is functioning.

In this episode, Dr. Heather covers:

• What reflux, heartburn, and GERD actually are
• Where low stomach acid fits in
• Why betaine HCl can sometimes make symptoms worse
• How pressure, bloating, and motility influence reflux
• The difference between typical reflux and upper reflux (LPR)
• Hidden triggers like hiatal hernias, stress, and constipation
• Simple, practical strategies to start reducing symptoms

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

Want daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?
Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Ready for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?
Apply for gutTogether®

Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!

If you feel like your food just sits there like a brick or you’re bloated after meals, burping, dealing with reflux, or still constipated no matter what you try…

There’s a good chance one of the most important parts of digestion is being overlooked.

In this episode, we’re talking about low stomach acid: what it actually does, how to know if yours might be low, and why it can impact everything from bloating and reflux to constipation, iron levels, and even SIBO.

Because here’s the truth:

You can be taking magnesium, probiotics, fiber, or even iron…but if your digestion isn’t working well at the very top, your body may struggle to break down, absorb, and move food the way it should.

This is one of the biggest patterns we see in women who feel like they’re doing everything right…but still have GI symptoms

Can't figure out why you are still having GI symptoms? Take this free quiz!

In just 2 minutes, you'll learn exactly where your digesiton is breaking down and receive actions steps to address your symptoms!

Connect + Next Steps

Want daily education, stories, and gut-friendly support?
Follow Dr. Heather on Instagram

Ready for personalized 1:1 support and a clear plan?
Apply for gutTogether®

Want a chance to win a free HTMA Bundle? Leave a rating & review and email it to happygut@drheatherfinley.co with [PODCAST REVIEW] in the subject line! We choose a new winner every month!