Stomach pain and related issues can upset
more than the stomach. The body is filled with 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 is
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) Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc
offers new studies regarding some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and relieve the upset for
Fort Wayne stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who suffer with gastroparesis,
the symptoms may include any number of
problems they would 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 explained and attached
to the nervous system, specifically the vagal nerve that extends
throughout the body. Regardless of 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 so far has been limited
in its effect because of the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Fort Wayne gastroparesis
patients at Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc appreciate having some
options that may help 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 attempted with some success. New, non-invasive approaches
included using a self-administered vagal nerve
stimulator that reported improved 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 demonstrated that brain stimulation influenced gut function. (2) They are connected, the brain
and the gut! Using slow breathing with 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 reduced
psychophysiological stimulation making it useful
in behavioral medicine. (4) Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc offers that VNS may interest
Fort Wayne chiropractic patients who have
gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Fort Wayne 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 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 extends
to), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our experienced
skill at Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he explains
the vagus nerve, its impact 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 Fort Wayne
chiropractic appointment with Cox Chiropractic Medicine Inc. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll design a treatment plan to help!