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 in the middle of it all!
The vagus nerve is one of the largest 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 interrupted
by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
offers new studies about some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and alleviate the upset for
Sitka stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who suffer with gastroparesis,
the symptoms may include 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 described and tied
to the nervous system, specifically the vagal nerve that goes
throughout the body. Regardless of what causes
gastroparesis, most patients exhibited problems
with the brain-gut innervation by means of the vagus nerve and/or intestinal
nervous system. (2,3) Medical treatment thus far has been limited
in its effect due to the complexity
of physiology of gastroparesis. (1) Sitka gastroparesis
patients at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka appreciate knowing some
options that may help 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 attempted 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) improved
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 showed
promise in treating anxiety, chronic pain, depressive
disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases, too. Researchers explained
that slow breathing regulated vagus nerve activity and decreased
psychophysiological stimulation making it of use
in behavioral medicine. (4) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka offers that VNS may interest
Sitka chiropractic patients who experience
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Sitka chiropractor is here to help with chiropractic skills and treatments to assist
gastroparesis sufferers, too! And they come in all ages
– 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 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 incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our experienced
skill at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
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 mix
its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in
relieving pain.
Schedule your next Sitka
chiropractic appointment with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will design a treatment plan to help!