Stomach pain and related issues can upset
more than the stomach. The body is filled with nerves from the
head to the toes, and the stomach is at the center of it all!
The vagus nerve is one of the largest nerves extending
from the brainstem to the abdomen. What’s
in the middle of the abdomen? The stomach! (Talk about a brain-gut
connection!) Gastroparesis sufferers’ days are interrupted
by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Vancouver Disc Centers
shares new studies regarding some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and alleviate the upset for
Vancouver stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who experience gastroparesis,
the symptoms may consist of any number of
problems they’d like to not have. Researchers explained
that any number of factors combined can trigger gastroparesis and impact
quality of life. The metabolic feedback link between the gut
and brain have been described and tied
to the nervous system, particularly the vagal nerve that extends
throughout the body. Regardless of what causes
gastroparesis, most patients experienced problems
with the brain-gut innervation via the vagus nerve and/or intestinal
nervous system. (2,3) Medical treatment so far has been limited
in its effect because of the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Vancouver gastroparesis
patients at Vancouver Disc Centers will like knowing some
options for helping them with this condition.
TREATMENTS FOR GASTROPARESIS: VNS
Researchers stated that medical therapy has been
limited in its ability to help. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) was
described as promising though. More invasive surgical stimulation of the vagus
nerve has been tried with some success. New, non-invasive approaches
incorporated the use of a self-administered vagal nerve
stimulator that was reported to improve gastric emptying
for some. (1) Such a stimulator mimicked the surgical cervical
vagal nerve stimulation. (4) Stimulating vagal afferents with transcutaneous (through
the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) enhanced
gastric frequency and controlled digestion. To the researchers,
this showed that brain stimulation had
influence on gut function. (2) They are linked, the brain
and the gut! Adding slow breathing to taVNS showed
promise in addressing anxiety, chronic pain, depressive
disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases, too. Researchers wrote
that slow breathing normalized vagus nerve activity and reduced
psychophysiological stimulation making it of help
in behavioral medicine. (4) Vancouver Disc Centers offers that VNS may benefit
Vancouver chiropractic patients with
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Vancouver chiropractor wants
to use the chiropractic skills and treatments to assist
gastroparesis sufferers, too! And they may be old or young
– adults and kids. Pediatric functional abdominal disorders involved
struggles with digestion issues. Children with functional
abdominal disorders have digestion and/or nausea issues after
eating. Drugs are often prescribed. Non-drug treatments like
stimulation to the external ear (an area the vagal nerve extends
to), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our experienced
skill at Vancouver Disc Centers: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
the vagus nerve, its influence on the nervous system, and how to blend
its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in
relieving pain.
Make your next Vancouver
chiropractic appointment with Vancouver Disc Centers. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will design a treatment plan to help!