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 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) Chiropractic Solutions
shares new studies regarding some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and ease the upset for
San Jose stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who experience gastroparesis,
the symptoms may include a variety of
problems they’d rather 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. No matter 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 so far has been limited
in its effect because of the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) San Jose gastroparesis
patients at Chiropractic Solutions appreciate having some
options for helping 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 attempted with some success. New, non-invasive methods
included using a self-administered vagal nerve
stimulator that reported improved 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) enhanced
gastric frequency and better regulated digestion. To the researchers,
this showed 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 wrote
that slow breathing normalized vagus nerve activity and reduced
psychophysiological stimulation making it of use
in behavioral medicine. (4) Chiropractic Solutions offers that VNS may benefit
San Jose chiropractic patients with
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your San Jose 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
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 incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our forte at Chiropractic Solutions: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
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.
Make your next San Jose
chiropractic appointment with Chiropractic Solutions. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll design a treatment plan to help!