Fort Wayne Spinal Manipulation and VNS May Help Gastroparesis (Stomach Issues)

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 at the center of it all! The vagus nerve is one of the largest nerves extending 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) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic 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 Fort Wayne stomach pain patients.

GASTROPARESIS

For those who experience gastroparesis, the symptoms may consist of a variety of problems they would 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 explained and tied to the nervous system, specifically the vagal nerve that goes throughout the body. No matter what causes gastroparesis, most patients demonstrated problems with the brain-gut innervation via the vagus nerve and/or intestinal nervous system. (2,3) Medical treatment thus far has been imperfect in its effect because of the complexity of physiology of gastroparesis. (1) Fort Wayne gastroparesis patients at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic will like knowing some options for helping 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 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 was reported to improve 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 showed that brain stimulation influenced gut function. (2) They are linked, the brain and the gut! Adding slow breathing to taVNS showed promise in treating 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 help in behavioral medicine. (4) Aaron Chiropractic Clinic offers that VNS may benefit Fort Wayne chiropractic patients with gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain and/or neck pain.

SPINAL MANIPULATION

Your Fort Wayne 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 prescribed. 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’s our experienced skill at Aaron Chiropractic Clinic: spinal manipulation!

CONTACT Aaron Chiropractic Clinic

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 combine its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in relieving pain.       

Schedule your next Fort Wayne chiropractic appointment with Aaron Chiropractic Clinic. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll design a treatment plan to help!

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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."