Toronto Spinal Manipulation and VNS May Help Gastroparesis (Stomach Issues)
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 in the middle 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) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre 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 Toronto stomach pain patients.
GASTROPARESIS
For those who suffer with gastroparesis, the symptoms may consist of any number of problems they would like to not have. Researchers explained that any number of factors combined can trigger gastroparesis and impact quality of life. The metabolic feedback connection between the gut and brain have been described and tied to the nervous system, specifically 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 physiological complexity of gastroparesis. (1) Toronto gastroparesis patients at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre appreciate knowing 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 explained as promising though. More invasive surgical stimulation of the vagus nerve has been tried 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 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 showed 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 explained that slow breathing normalized vagus nerve activity and reduced psychophysiological stimulation making it of use in behavioral medicine. (4) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers that VNS may interest Toronto chiropractic patients with gastroparesis and even chronic pain associated with 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 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 (a spot the vagal nerve extends to), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now incorporate acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That is our experienced skill 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 shares 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 Toronto chiropractic appointment with Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll design a treatment plan to help!