The benefits of chiropractic on the Vagus nerve are becoming increasingly recognized. Chiropractic adjustments, especially in the upper cervical region, can stimulate the vagus nerve, positively impacting health conditions such as seizures and epilepsy. Through ongoing chiropractic care, patients in London, Ontario may experience improvements in nervous system function and overall wellness.
Chiropractic and Seizure Disorders
I had a patient with a seizure disorder. Over time, with chiropractic care, his seizures dramatically reduced in both frequency and severity. When he was under regular chiropractic wellness care, he became seizure-free. If he missed an appointment, he would have a seizure. Who would have thought chiropractic could help those with a seizure disorder?
There is new research showing that doctors can implant a device that stimulates the Vagus nerve, often referred to as a pacemaker for the brain to prevent seizures.[1] Chiropractors have long understood that specific chiropractic adjustments have a significant impact on the vagus nerve, and now research is supporting this.
Chiropractors know the benefits of chiropractic on the Vagus nerve. Not only have I seen it in my office, but the research is now providing the evidence that chiropractic adjustments can help seizures and epilepsy, perhaps through the same mechanism.
Research Supporting Benefits of Chiropractic on the Vagus Nerve in London,Ontario
In 2001, a literature review published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported that 88% of the patients (children) experienced a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of their epileptic seizures. [2] In 2010, a case study demonstrated improvement in a young woman with a seizure disorder after she received upper cervical chiropractic manipulation. [3] Chiropractic care may represent a non-pharmaceutical or non-surgical approach for epileptic patients.
Chiropractic adjustments affect the Vagus Nerve and that has the power to positively impact us all!
The Science of the Benefits of Chiropractic on the Vagus Nerve in London, Ontario
What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in the Vagus nerve doesn’t stay it the Vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve is one of the largest nerve systems, and is so named because it wanders like a vagabond, sending out nerve fibers from our brain to all the organs in our body.
The Vagus nerve is one of the body’s largest nerve systems, controlling involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing. It acts as a central switchboard between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, helping regulate the body’s rest-and-digest and fight-or-flight responses. Impaired vagus nerve function can lead to several health conditions, from high blood pressure to digestive problems.
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is responsible for the involuntary functions of our body. The ANS controls our heart rate, breathing, digestion, hormone release, etc. The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) and the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) are part of the ANS. The general function of the PNS is to control homeostasis and the body’s rest-and-digest response, kind of like a brake pedal. The general action of the SNS is to mobilize the body’s fight-or-flight-or-freeze response kind of like the gas pedal.
The Vagus nerve provides the gateway between the SNS and PNS parts of the ANS. It’s like a central switchboard that directs impulses going to and from the body and signals to and from the brain. It oversees a vast range of crucial functions, communicating nerve impulses to every organ in your body. It is not surprising, then that impaired functioning of this nerve can lead to many different conditions and problems. [4]
How Chiropractic Care in London, Ontario Benefits Vagus Nerve Health
Living in survival mode driven by the sympathetic nervous system can cause chronic health problems like high blood pressure, indigestion, auto-immune flare ups, chronic ear infections, insomnia, cardiovascular disturbances, infertility, PCOS, anxiety, ADHD, autism, inflammation, allergies, learning disorders, memory and concentration issues, emotional imbalances, anger, problems with sugar control, hormonal imbalances.
When we are in survival mode, it is almost impossible to move toward growth and repair. The Vagus nerve helps bring the body back into a calm, healing state. By receiving regular chiropractic adjustments, patients can stimulate the Vagus nerve, helping the body achieve better balance and improve overall health.
Measuring Vagal Tone with Heart Rate Variability
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful tool for measuring Vagus nerve health and overall nervous system function. Heart rate variability is directly related to the body’s interdependent regulatory systems and ultimately, their efficiency and health.[6] “An optimal level of HRV within an organism reflects healthy function and an inherent self-regulatory capacity, adaptability, or resilience,” McCraty and Shaffer write. [7] Studies have shown that chiropractic care improves HRV, suggesting there are benefits of chiropractic on the Vagus nerve that enhances the body’s self-healing and adaptability.
HRV can be used to assess your nervous system, which controls and coordinates your heart. Your body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism. That self-healing, self-regulating ability is organized and coordinated via your nervous system. Your ability to live and heal is based on your ability to adapt to life’s challenges. HRV is a great tool to assess nervous system adaptation. The more you are able to switch back and forth and maintain a balance between the PNS and SNS sides of the nervous system, the better you will be able to heal, recover and repair. The more you default to one side or the other, the more you may struggle with your health and getting well.
Advanced Technology for Monitoring Nervous System Health
At our clinic in London, Ontario, we use state-of-the-art scanning equipment to measure heart rate variability (HRV). This tool allows us to assess your vagus nerve activity during your initial exam and at progress checks throughout your chiropractic care. By tracking your HRV, we ensure that your nervous system is adapting and healing optimally over time.
Healthy people don’t have less stress in their lives, they are better able to handle stress. The more adaptable your nervous system the better your body can handle life challenges. Adaptabity is one of the benefits of chiropractic on the Vagus nerve in London, Ontario.
The Growing Importance of the Benefits of Chiropractic on the Vagus Nerve in London Ontario
The act of “Vagus Nerve Stimulation” is a hot topic in research, showing promise for conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, and heart rate regulation. However, not all stimulation needs to be invasive. Chiropractic care has been shown to increase vagus nerve activity, offering a non-invasive solution to improving nervous system health. A 2006 study revealed that there are benefits of chiropractic on the Vagus nervee activity and HRV. [8]
Conclusion:
The health of the Vagus nerve is crucial for regulating the body’s stress response and promoting healing. In today’s stressful world, understanding how the benefits of chiropractic on the Vagus nerve in London, Ontario can improve nervous system health is vital. Regular chiropractic care helps ensure that your nervous system is functioning optimally, helping you adapt to life’s challenges and heal more efficiently.
When was the last time you had your nervous system checked by a chiropractor?
References for the Benefits of Chiropractic on the Vagus Nerve:
[1] http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/devices/vagus-nerve-stimulation-vns
[2] Pistolese, R. (2001). Epilepsy and seizure disorders: A review of literature relative to chiropractic care of children. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics. 24(3), 199-205. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0161-4754(01)06188-7
[3] Crisp, C. A., Hubbard, T. A., & Vowles, B. (2010). Upper cervical chiropractic care for a 25-year-old woman with myoclonic seizures. J Chiropr Med. 9(2), 90–94. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2010.03.001
[4] http://mentalfloss.com/article/65710/9-nervy-facts-about-Vagus-nerve
[5] http://www.morehealthlesshealthcare.com/functional-chiropractic/Vagus-baby/
[7] McCraty, R., Shaffer, F. (2015). Heart Rate Variability: New Perspectives on the Physiological Mechanisms, and Assessment of Self-Regulatory Capacity and Health Risk. Glob Adv Health Med. 4(1), 46-61.
[8] Zhang, J., Dean, D., Nosco, D., Strathopulos, D., Floros, M. (2006) Effect of chiropractic care on heart rate variability and pain in a multisite clinical study.J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 29(4), 267-74.
