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 in the middle of it all!
The vagus nerve is one of the biggest 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) Amelia Chiropractic Clinic
offers 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
Fernandina Beach stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who experience gastroparesis,
the symptoms may consist of any number 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 connection between the gut
and brain have been described and attached
to the nervous system, particularly the vagal nerve that travels
throughout the body. No matter what triggers
gastroparesis, most patients experienced 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 due to the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Fernandina Beach gastroparesis
patients at Amelia Chiropractic Clinic 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
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 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) improved
gastric frequency and better regulated digestion. To the researchers,
this showed that brain stimulation had
influence on gut function. (2) They are connected, the brain
and the gut! Adding slow breathing to taVNS demonstrated
promise in treating anxiety, chronic pain, depressive
disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases, too. Researchers wrote
that slow breathing normalized vagus nerve activity and decreased
psychophysiological stimulation making it of use
in behavioral medicine. (4) Amelia Chiropractic Clinic offers that VNS may interest
Fernandina Beach chiropractic patients who experience
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Fernandina Beach 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 include
struggles with digestion issues. Children with functional
abdominal disorders experience 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 Amelia Chiropractic Clinic: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Amelia 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 mix
its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in
relieving pain.
Make your next Fernandina Beach
chiropractic appointment with Amelia Chiropractic Clinic. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will work up a treatment plan to help!