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 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) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
shares new studies regarding some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and alleviate the upset for
Auburn stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who experience gastroparesis,
the symptoms may include a variety of
problems they’d like to not have. Researchers explained
that any number of factors combined can trigger gastroparesis and disrupt
quality of life. The metabolic feedback connection between the gut
and brain have been described and attached
to the nervous system, specifically the vagal nerve that extends
throughout the body. Regardless of what triggers
gastroparesis, most patients exhibited problems
with the brain-gut innervation via the vagus nerve and/or intestinal
nervous system. (2,3) Medical treatment so far has been imperfect
in its effect because of the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Auburn gastroparesis
patients at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. appreciate knowing some
options that may help them with this condition.
TREATMENTS FOR GASTROPARESIS: VNS
Researchers stated 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
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) improved
gastric frequency and controlled digestion. To the researchers,
this demonstrated 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 explained
that slow breathing normalized vagus nerve activity and reduced
psychophysiological stimulation making it useful
in behavioral medicine. (4) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. offers that VNS may interest
Auburn chiropractic patients who experience
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Auburn 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
problems 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 reaches), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our experienced
skill at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares
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.
Schedule your next Auburn
chiropractic appointment with Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will work up a treatment plan to help!