Stomach pain and related issues can upset
more than the stomach. The body is full of 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 is
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) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
shares new studies regarding some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and relieve the upset for
Manchester stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who experience gastroparesis,
the symptoms may consist of a variety of
problems they would 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 explained and tied
to the nervous system, particularly the vagal nerve that extends
throughout the body. No matter 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 imperfect
in its effect due to the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Manchester gastroparesis
patients at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries will like knowing some
options that may help 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
said to be 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 reported improved 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 demonstrated that brain stimulation influenced gut function. (2) They are linked, 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 of use
in behavioral medicine. (4) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries offers that VNS may interest
Manchester chiropractic patients who have
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Manchester chiropractor wants
to use the chiropractic skills and treatments to help
gastroparesis sufferers, too! And they may be old or young
– adults and kids. Pediatric functional abdominal disorders include
problems with digestion issues. Children with functional
abdominal disorders have digestion and/or nausea issues after
eating. Drugs are often given. 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 Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
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 Manchester
chiropractic appointment with Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will work up a treatment plan to help!