Oxford 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 biggest 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 disturbed by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Satterwhite Chiropractic offers 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 Oxford 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 impact quality of life. The metabolic feedback connection between the gut and brain have been defined and attached to the nervous system, particularly the vagal nerve that goes throughout the body. No matter what triggers 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 because of the complexity of physiology of gastroparesis. (1) Oxford gastroparesis patients at Satterwhite Chiropractic appreciate knowing some options for helping 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 incorporated the use of a self-administered vagal nerve stimulator that was reported to improve 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 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 treating 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 of use in behavioral medicine. (4) Satterwhite Chiropractic offers that VNS may interest Oxford chiropractic patients with gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain and/or neck pain.

SPINAL MANIPULATION

Your Oxford chiropractor wants to use the chiropractic skills and treatments to help gastroparesis sufferers, too! And they come in all ages – 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 reaches), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now include acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That’s our forte at Satterwhite Chiropractic: spinal manipulation!

CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic

Listen to the PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on the Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the vagus nerve, its impact on the nervous system, and how to combine its stimulation with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in relieving pain.       

Make your next Oxford chiropractic appointment with Satterwhite Chiropractic. Bring your pain issues to us. We will work up 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."