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’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) The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR
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
Colorado Springs stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who suffer with gastroparesis,
the symptoms may consist of a variety of
problems they’d 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 defined and attached
to the nervous system, particularly 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 due to the complexity
of physiology of gastroparesis. (1) Colorado Springs gastroparesis
patients at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR will like knowing 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 approaches
incorporated the use of 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 controlled 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 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 help
in behavioral medicine. (4) The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR offers that VNS may benefit
Colorado Springs chiropractic patients who have
gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Colorado Springs 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 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 reaches), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That is our forte at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
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.
Make your next Colorado Springs
chiropractic appointment with The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll work up a treatment plan to help!