I experience pain when swallowing pills with liquid... I don't get this when I swallow the pills with food. Is there any chance I can take a bit of food to help the pills go down? Or can you direct me to Jack's self-remedy for hiatal hernias?

In your individual case, use the supplements with food. They will still get the job done and it's best if you avoid the pain situation. Hiatic hernia help: 1) press deeply right under the sternum and hold it (it hurts!) until the trigger point relaxes; 2) drink a quart of water and jump off a chair planting the feet firmly--this jars the stomach downward pulling the esophagus down through the hiatic membrane spasm. Of course, be sure either method is okay for you. You can put some soothing essential oils at the base of the sternum afterwards :) Jack