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 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 disrupted
by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
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
Fort Wayne 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 disrupt
quality of life. The metabolic feedback connection between the gut
and brain have been explained and tied
to the nervous system, specifically the vagal nerve that goes
throughout the body. No matter 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 thus far has been imperfect
in its effect because of the complexity
of physiology of gastroparesis. (1) Fort Wayne gastroparesis
patients at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic will like knowing some
options for helping them with this condition.
TREATMENTS FOR GASTROPARESIS: VNS
Researchers stated that medical therapy has been
reduced 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
included using 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 better regulated digestion. To the researchers,
this showed that brain stimulation influenced gut function. (2) They are linked, the brain
and the gut! Adding slow breathing to taVNS showed
promise in treating anxiety, chronic pain, depressive
disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases, too. Researchers explained
that slow breathing normalized vagus nerve activity and reduced
psychophysiological stimulation making it of help
in behavioral medicine. (4) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic offers that VNS may benefit
Fort Wayne chiropractic patients with
gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Fort Wayne 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
problems 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 reaches), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our experienced
skill at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he explains
the vagus nerve, its influence 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 Fort Wayne
chiropractic appointment with Aaron Chiropractic Clinic. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll design a treatment plan to help!