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 spreading
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 interrupted
by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
offers 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
Toronto stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who suffer with gastroparesis,
the symptoms may include a variety 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 described and attached
to the nervous system, particularly the vagal nerve that extends
throughout the body. Regardless of what causes
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 limited
in its effect because of the complexity
of physiology of gastroparesis. (1) Toronto gastroparesis
patients at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre 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
described as promising though. More invasive surgical stimulation of the vagus
nerve has been tried 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) enhanced
gastric frequency and better regulated 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 showed
promise in addressing 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 useful
in behavioral medicine. (4) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers that VNS may interest
Toronto chiropractic patients with
gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Toronto chiropractor wants
to use the chiropractic skills and treatments to assist
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 have digestion and/or nausea issues after
eating. Drugs are often given. 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 Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 blend
its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in
relieving pain.
Make your next Toronto
chiropractic appointment with Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will design a treatment plan to help!