Call us to set up an appointment! Herndon (703) 561-0600 Ashburn (703) 723-4040

Ashburn 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 in the middle 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 interrupted by nausea, pain, delayed stomach emptying, and even vomiting. (1) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn shares 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 Ashburn stomach pain patients.

GASTROPARESIS

For those who experience 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 disrupt quality of life. The metabolic feedback connection between the gut and brain have been defined and tied to the nervous system, specifically the vagal nerve that goes throughout the body. No matter what triggers gastroparesis, most patients experienced problems with the brain-gut innervation by means of the vagus nerve and/or intestinal nervous system. (2,3) Medical treatment so far has been imperfect in its effect because of the complexity of physiology of gastroparesis. (1) Ashburn gastroparesis patients at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn appreciate having some options that may help 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 methods included using 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) enhanced gastric frequency and better regulated digestion. To the researchers, this demonstrated that brain stimulation influenced 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 reduced psychophysiological stimulation making it of help in behavioral medicine. (4) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn offers that VNS may interest Ashburn chiropractic patients who have gastroparesis and even chronic pain related to back pain and/or neck pain.

SPINAL MANIPULATION

Your Ashburn chiropractor is here to help with chiropractic skills and treatments to help gastroparesis sufferers, too! And they come in all ages – adults and kids. Pediatric functional abdominal disorders include 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 (an area the vagal nerve extends to), electrical stimulation, diet changes, pro/prebiotics, etc., also now include acupuncture, yoga, and spinal manipulation. (5) That is our experienced skill at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn: spinal manipulation!

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

Listen to the PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on the Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the vagus nerve, its influence 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 Ashburn chiropractic appointment with Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn. Bring your pain issues to us. We’ll work up a treatment plan to help!

« View All Spine Articles
"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."