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 in the middle of it all!
The vagus nerve is one of the largest nerves extending
from the brainstem to the abdomen. What is
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) Apple Country Chiropractic
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
Williamson stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who suffer with gastroparesis,
the symptoms may include a variety 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 explained and tied
to the nervous system, particularly the vagal nerve that goes
throughout the body. Regardless of what causes
gastroparesis, most patients demonstrated 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) Williamson gastroparesis
patients at Apple Country Chiropractic appreciate having some
options that may help them with this condition.
TREATMENTS FOR GASTROPARESIS: VNS
Researchers noted 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 simulated the surgical cervical
vagal nerve stimulation. (4) Stimulating vagal afferents with transcutaneous (through
the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) helped
gastric frequency and better regulated digestion. To the researchers,
this demonstrated that brain stimulation influenced gut function. (2) They are connected, the brain
and the gut! Using slow breathing with taVNS demonstrated
promise in addressing anxiety, chronic pain, depressive
disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases, too. Researchers explained
that slow breathing normalized vagus nerve activity and decreased
psychophysiological stimulation making it of use
in behavioral medicine. (4) Apple Country Chiropractic offers that VNS may benefit
Williamson chiropractic patients with
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Williamson 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 have 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 forte at Apple Country Chiropractic: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares
the vagus nerve, its impact on the nervous system, and how to blend
its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in
relieving pain.
Schedule your next Williamson
chiropractic appointment with Apple Country Chiropractic. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will work up a treatment plan to help!