Stomach pain and associated 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 biggest 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 disrupted
by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
shares 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
Manahawkin stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who experience gastroparesis,
the symptoms may consist of a variety of
problems they would rather 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 explained and tied
to the nervous system, particularly 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 thus far has been limited
in its effect due to the physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Manahawkin gastroparesis
patients at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center will like knowing some
options that may help them with this condition.
TREATMENTS FOR GASTROPARESIS: VNS
Researchers stated that medical therapy has been
reduced 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 methods
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 had
influence on gut function. (2) They are linked, 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 regulated vagus nerve activity and decreased
psychophysiological stimulation making it useful
in behavioral medicine. (4) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center offers that VNS may benefit
Manahawkin chiropractic patients who have
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Manahawkin chiropractor is here to help with chiropractic skills and treatments to help
gastroparesis sufferers, too! And they may be old or young
– adults and kids. Pediatric functional abdominal disorders involved
problems with digestion issues. Children with functional
abdominal disorders experience digestion and/or nausea issues after
eating. Drugs are often given. 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 include
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our forte at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares
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 Manahawkin
chiropractic appointment with Manahawkin Chiropractic Center. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll work up a treatment plan to help!