Stomach pain and associated 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 largest 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 interrupted
by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Johnson Chiropractic
offers new studies about some less invasive potential
treatments like vagal nerve stimulation and even spinal manipulation that may
help calm the stomach and ease the upset for
Richmond stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who suffer with gastroparesis,
the symptoms may consist of 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 tied
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 by means of 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) Richmond gastroparesis
patients at Johnson Chiropractic 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 attempted with some success. New, non-invasive approaches
incorporated the use of 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) improved
gastric frequency and better regulated digestion. To the researchers,
this showed that brain stimulation had
influence on gut function. (2) They are linked, the brain
and the gut! Using slow breathing with taVNS demonstrated
promise in addressing anxiety, chronic pain, depressive
disorders, insomnia, and cardiovascular diseases, too. Researchers explained
that slow breathing regulated vagus nerve activity and decreased
psychophysiological stimulation making it of use
in behavioral medicine. (4) Johnson Chiropractic offers that VNS may interest
Richmond chiropractic patients who experience
gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with back pain
and/or neck pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
Your Richmond chiropractor wants
to use the 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 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 reaches), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now incorporate
acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That is our experienced
skill at Johnson Chiropractic: spinal manipulation!
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on the Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he explains
the vagus nerve, its influence on the nervous system, and how to mix
its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in
relieving pain.
Schedule your next Richmond
chiropractic appointment with Johnson Chiropractic. Bring your pain issues to us. We
will work up a treatment plan to help!