NOVA Chiropractic & Rehab Center of Sterling

The role of the vagus nerve in fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome is a common illness characterized by chronic widespread pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Dysfunctional neurotransmitter systems that influence the body’s endogenous stress response systems are thought to underlie many of the major FM-related symptoms. A model of FM pathogenesis suggests biological and psychosocial variables interact to influence the genetic predisposition, but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The Polyvagal Theory provides a theoretical framework from which to investigate potential biological mechanisms.

The vagus nerve (VN) has anti-inflammatory properties via its afferent and efferent fibers. A low vagal tone (as assessed by low heart rate variability), has been observed in painful and inflammatory diseases, including FM, while the ventral branch of the VN is linked to emotional expression and social engagement. These anti-inflammatory and psychological (limbic system) properties of the VN may possess therapeutic potential in treating FM.

From: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763421004632

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A Functional Medicine approach to IBS. IBS is a GI disorder that features abdominal pain or discomfort associated with bowel changes. Other possible symptoms associated with IBS are gas and bloating. Many patients who suffer from IBS may also suffer from dysbiosis, SIBO, or underlying food sensitivities. If you suffer with IBS, or think you might suffer with IBS, give us a call!

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Deep sleep drives brain fluid oscillations

Getting enough quality sleep at the right times helps protect physical and mental health. Slow-wave sleep (SWS) represents high-intensity sleep and predominates in the first part of the night. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep accompanies dreaming and is not influenced by prior sleep or waking and shows a rhythmicity with the body clock (circadian rhythm) (1): Sleep starts with a light form of SWS, progresses to deeper SWS and then shallow SWS, and concludes with REM sleep before beginning a new cycle (2). During SWS, the cerebral blood flow is reduced by 25%, which lowers cerebral blood volume (CBV) by ∼10% (3). Fultz et al. (4) show that this reduction in CBV in the human brain allows inflow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the third and fourth ventricles—fluid-filled cavities in the central brain—which may facilitate communication between fluid compartments and clearance of waste products.

From: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aaz5191

"Self Reflected was designed to be a highly accurate representation of a slice of the brain and is informed by deep neuroscience research to allow it to function as a reliable educational tool as well as a work of art."

From

https://www.gregadunn.com/self-reflected/the-neuroscience-behind-self-reflected/#

Disc decompression

Working the Core!

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What Valentines Day does to your brain!

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