Stomach pain and associated issues can upset
more than the stomach. The body is full of nerves from the
head to the toes, and the stomach is in the middle of it all!
The vagus nerve is one of the biggest nerves spreading
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 disturbed
by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Cross Chiropractic Center
shares new studies about some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and ease the upset for
Sandy Springs 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 disrupt
quality of life. The metabolic feedback link between the gut
and brain have been defined and attached
to the nervous system, particularly the vagal nerve that goes
throughout the body. Regardless of what triggers
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 due to the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Sandy Springs gastroparesis
patients at Cross Chiropractic Center appreciate having some
options for helping them with this condition.
TREATMENTS FOR GASTROPARESIS: VNS
Researchers noted that medical therapy has been
reduced in its ability to help. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) was
said to be promising though. More invasive surgical stimulation of the vagus
nerve has been tried with some success. New, non-invasive approaches
included using a self-administered vagal nerve
stimulator that was reported to improve gastric emptying
for some. (1) Such a stimulator simulated the surgical cervical
vagal nerve stimulation. (4) Stimulating vagal afferents with transcutaneous (through
the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) improved
gastric frequency and better regulated digestion. To the researchers,
this showed that brain stimulation had
influence on gut function. (2) They are connected, the brain
and the gut! Using slow breathing with taVNS demonstrated
promise in treating anxiety, chronic pain, depressive
disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases, too. Researchers explained
that slow breathing regulated vagus nerve activity and reduced
psychophysiological stimulation making it useful
in behavioral medicine. (4) Cross Chiropractic Center offers that VNS may interest
Sandy Springs chiropractic patients with
gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Sandy Springs chiropractor wants
to use the chiropractic skills and treatments to help
gastroparesis sufferers, too! And they come in all ages
– adults and kids. Pediatric functional abdominal disorders include
struggles with digestion issues. Children with functional
abdominal disorders experience digestion and/or nausea issues after
eating. Drugs are often prescribed. Non-drug treatments like
stimulation to the external ear (a spot the vagal nerve extends
to), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now include
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That is our experienced
skill at Cross Chiropractic Center: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Cross Chiropractic Center
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
the vagus nerve, its impact on the nervous system, and how to combine
its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in
relieving pain.
Schedule your next Sandy Springs
chiropractic appointment with Cross Chiropractic Center. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll design a treatment plan to help!