Back pain is one of the most common reasons individuals go to a doctor, massage therapist, physiotherapist, osteopath, and chiropractor. Various health conditions, some spine-related, others not, list back pain as a symptom. Many of these conditions begin in the stomach or abdominal cavity, which leads to stomach and back pain. Stomach and back pain happening simultaneously, independently, or in combination could be caused by gut problems, back issues, or something completely different. Understanding what causes these two types of pain simultaneously can help figure out a treatment plan.
Stomach Back Pain Causes
Problems in the abdominal cavity and stomach issues can cause back pain and vice versa. Symptoms can also include referred pain when the pain is felt in one part of the body but is caused by pain or injury in another area. Stomach back pain causes depend on the type of condition/s that can include:
Appendicitis
Inflammation in the appendix can cause sudden sharp pain in the abdomen.
It presents mostly in the lower right area of the abdomen but can appear in or spread to other sites, especially the back.
A chiropractic functional medicine team can work with an individual’s primary physician or specialist to develop a personalized treatment plan to alleviate back pain symptoms, re-balance the body, strengthen the musculoskeletal system and restore function.
Ford AC, Talley NJ. Chapter 122, Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Feldman M (ed.). Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Elsevier: 2021. 2008-2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323609623001223?scrollTo=%23hl0001104
Inadomi JM, Bhattacharya R, Hwang JH, Ko C. Chapter 7, The Patient with Gas and Bloating. Yamada’s Handbook of Gastroenterology. 4th ed. John Wiley & Sons; 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119515777.ch7
Kliegman RM, St Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Chapter 378, Pancreatitis. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Elsevier; 2020. 2074-2080. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323529501003783
Krames E, Mousad DG. Spinal Cord Stimulation Reverses Pain and Diarrheal Episodes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Case Report. Neuromodulation. 2004 Mar 22;7(2):82-88. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1094-7159.2004.04011.x
Sifri CD, Madoff LC. Chapter 78, Appendicitis. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Bennett JA (ed.). Elsevier; 2020. 1059-1063. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323482554000783
Stephen Norman Sullivan, “Functional Abdominal Bloating with Distention,” International Scholarly Research Notices, vol. 2012, Article ID 721820, 5 pages, 2012. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/721820
Wang DQH, Afdhal NH. Chapter 65, Gallstone Disease. Feldman M (ed.). Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Elsevier: 2021. 1016-1046. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323609623000655?scrollTo=%23hl0001772
Weisman, Michael H et al. “Axial Pain and Arthritis in Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data.” Mayo Clinic proceedings. Innovations, quality & outcomes vol. 6,5 443-449. 16 Sep. 2022, doi:10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2022.04.007
Whorwell PJ. Chapter 13, Abdominal Bloating. Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Clinical Management. Emmanuel A, Quigley EMM (eds.). John Wiley & Sons; 2013. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118444689.ch13
Yarze JC, Friedman LS. Chapter 12, Chronic Abdominal Pain. Feldman M (ed.). Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. 158-167. https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/book/3-s2.0-B9780323609623000126?scrollTo=%23hl0000408
The body needs food for fuel, energy, growth, and repair. The digestive process breaks down food into a form the body can absorb and use for fuel. The broken-down food gets absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine, and the nutrients are carried to the cells throughout the body. Understanding how the organs work together to digest food can help with health goals and overall health.
The Digestive Process
The organs of the digestive system are the following:
The digestive process starts with the anticipation of eating, stimulating the glands in the mouth to produce saliva. The digestive system’s primary functions include:
Mixing food
Moving food through the digestive tract – peristalsis
The chemical breakdown of food into smaller absorbable components.
The digestive system converts food into its simplest forms, which include:
Glucose – sugars
Amino acids – protein
Fatty acids – fats
Proper digestion extracts nutrients from food and liquids to maintain health and function properly. Nutrients include:
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Water
Mouth and Esophagus
The food is ground up by the teeth and moistened with saliva to swallow easily.
Saliva also has a special chemical enzyme that starts breaking down carbohydrates into sugars.
Muscular contractions of the esophagus massage the food into the stomach.
Stomach
The food passes through a small muscle ring into the stomach.
It gets mixed with gastric chemicals.
The stomach churns the food to break it down further.
The food is then squeezed into the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum.
Small Intestine
Once in the duodenum, the food mixes with more digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bilefrom the liver.
The food passes into the lower parts of the small intestine, called the jejunum and the ileum.
Nutrients are absorbed from the ileum, lined with millions of villi or thread-like fingers that facilitate the absorption.
Each villus is connected to a mesh of capillaries, which is how nutrients get absorbed into the bloodstream.
Pancreas
The pancreas is one of the largest glands.
It secretes digestive juices and a hormone called insulin.
Insulin helps regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
The liver has several different roles that include:
Breaks down fats using bile stored in the gallbladder.
Processes proteins and carbohydrates.
Filters and processes impurities, medications, and toxins.
Generates glucose for short-term energy from compounds like lactate and amino acids.
Large Intestine
A large reservoir of microbes and healthy bacteria live in the large intestine and play an important role in healthy digestion.
Once the nutrients have been absorbed, the waste is passed into the large intestine or bowel.
Water is removed, and the waste gets stored in the rectum.
It is then passed out of the body through the anus.
Digestive System Health
Ways to keep the digestive system and the digestive process healthy include:
Drink More Water
Water helps the food flow more easily through the digestive system.
Low amounts of water/dehydration are common causes of constipation.
Add More Fiber
Fiber is beneficial to digestion and helps with regular bowel movements.
Incorporate both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water.
As soluble fiber dissolves, it creates a gel that can improve digestion.
Soluble fiber may reduce blood cholesterol and sugar.
It helps your body improve blood glucose control, which can aid in reducing your risk for diabetes.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water.
Insoluble fiber attracts water into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass with less strain on the bowels.
Insoluble fiber can help promote bowel health and regularity and supports insulin sensitivity which can help reduce the risk of diabetes.
Balanced Nutrition
Eat fruit and vegetables daily.
Choose whole grains over processed grains.
Avoid processed foods in general.
Choose poultry and fish more than red meat and limit processed meats.
Cut down on sugar.
Eat Foods with Probiotics or Use Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help combat unhealthy bacteria in the gut.
They also generate healthy substances that nourish the gut.
Consume probiotics after taking antibiotics that often kill all the bacteria in the gut.
Eat Mindfully and Chew Food Slowly
Chewing food thoroughly helps to ensure the body has enough saliva for digestion.
Chewing food thoroughly also makes it easier for nutritional absorption.
Eating slowly gives the body time to digest thoroughly.
It also allows the body to send cues that it is full.
How The Digestive System Works
References
GREENGARD, H. “Digestive system.” Annual review of physiology vol. 9 (1947): 191-224. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.09.030147.001203
Hoyle, T. “The digestive system: linking theory and practice.” British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing) vol. 6,22 (1997): 1285-91. doi:10.12968/bjon.1997.6.22.1285
Martinsen, Tom C et al. “The Phylogeny and Biological Function of Gastric Juice-Microbiological Consequences of Removing Gastric Acid.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 20,23 6031. 29 Nov. 2019, doi:10.3390/ijms20236031
Ramsay, Philip T, and Aaron Carr. “Gastric acid and digestive physiology.” The Surgical clinics of North America vol. 91,5 (2011): 977-82. doi:10.1016/j.suc.2011.06.010
Fermentation is a process where bacteria and yeast are used to break down foods. The fermentation process has been around for centuries and was initially produced to preserve foods, improve flavor and eliminate toxins. Research has found that eating fermented foods can also increase the beneficial bacteria/probiotics in the gut. Functional medicine practitioners recommend these foods for their health benefits, including improved digestion, increased immunity, and weight loss and maintenance.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods and beverages undergo controlled microbial growth and fermentation in which microorganisms like yeast and bacteria break down food elements like sugars/glucose into other products like organic acids, gases, or alcohol. The process gives fermented foods unique taste, aroma, texture, and appearance. There are many different types of fermented foods, including:
Whole foods like vegetables, fruits, cereals, dairy, meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds can go through fermentation. These foods are nutritious in their original form, but through fermentation, they can provide probiotic and prebiotic health benefits.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that benefit the gut by creating a more favorable digestive environment. This helps:
Digest food easier.
Support a healthy immune system.
Support organ health – lungs, reproductive organs, skin.
Improves mood.
However, not all fermented foods contain probiotics, especially commercially produced foods that are pasteurized, killing bacteria and their associated health benefits.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are food ingredients that the microorganisms like gut bacteria consume to grow and live, leading to improving the digestive environment. These include:
Milk
Honey
Tomato
Garlic
Onions
Asparagus
Wheat
Barley
Rye
However, most fruits, vegetables, and legumes contain prebiotics.
The Benefits of Fermented Foods
Fermented foods’ health benefits include reduced risk of:
Diabetes
Inflammation
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Obesity
They have also been linked to:
Better weight management
Improved brain activity
Increased bone health
Faster recovery after exercise and physical activity
There are currently no official guidelines regarding how often individuals should eat fermented foods. It is recommended to consult a nutritionist or dietician to figure out the best nutrition plan for the individual and their needs.
The Science
References
Aslam, Hajara, et al. “Fermented foods, the gut, and mental health: a mechanistic overview with implications for depression and anxiety.” Nutritional neuroscience vol. 23,9 (2020): 659-671. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2018.1544332
Dimidi, Eirini, et al. “Fermented Foods: Definitions and Characteristics, Impact on the Gut Microbiota and Effects on Gastrointestinal Health and Disease.” Nutrients vol. 11,8 1806. 5 Aug. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11081806
King, Sarah, et al. “Effectiveness of probiotics on the duration of illness in healthy children and adults who develop common acute respiratory infectious conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” The British journal of nutrition vol. 112,1 (2014): 41-54. doi:10.1017/S0007114514000075
Kok, Car Reen, and Robert Hutkins. “Yogurt and other fermented foods as sources of health-promoting bacteria.” Nutrition reviews vol. 76, Suppl 1 (2018): 4-15. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuy056
Parker, Elizabeth A et al. “Probiotics and gastrointestinal conditions: An overview of evidence from the Cochrane Collaboration.” Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) vol. 45 (2018): 125-134.e11. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2017.06.024
Şanlier, Nevin, et al. “Health benefits of fermented foods.” Critical reviews in food science and nutrition vol. 59,3 (2019): 506-527. doi:10.1080/10408398.2017.1383355
Nutritionists are medical professionals in food and nutrition and work one-on-one to develop an optimal nutrition plan for their body type, age, and health conditions. They explain the right foods to eat, how different foods impact the body, and what foods to avoid. Individuals can benefit from working with a nutritionist to help achieve a healthier lifestyle through education and healthy choices.
Working With A Nutritionist
Nutritionists work with individuals to enhance their knowledge about general nutrition, food, and health. Their focus is on food behavior, which includes developing and implementing meal plans to improve the individual’s or family’s nutrition. Nutritionists work in:
Clinical settings – hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, fitness and health, and chiropractic clinics.
Government – local health departments.
School districts – regarding school nutrition standards.
Private business – independent work in combination with other medical professionals.
Research – with various health and/or sports organizations.
Benefits
Working with a nutritionist will determine what factors are challenging an individual’s eating habits and triggers and find ways to overcome those barriers. Benefits include:
Nutrition plans are based on nutritional needs, current health, and lifestyle.
Nutrition plans cut down on grocery bills.
Shopping with a specific list cuts down on the extra foods being purchased.
Proper nutrition can help manage chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, combined with a primary care doctor or specialist treatment.
Nutritionists can help individuals dealing with food allergies or who have been diagnosed could require a diet change.
Nutritionists can help motivate when struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Responsibilities and Daily Activities
Nutritionists help individuals reach various goals, like weight loss, healthier eating habits, and stress management, and can be responsible for the following:
Evaluating health needs.
Screening for nutritional risk.
Discussing nutrition and eating habits.
Providing educational resources.
Developing personalized nutrition plans.
Talking about nutritional issues with individual families.
Discussing nutrition plans with primary doctors and other healthcare teams.
Equipping individuals with food behavior modification tools.
Adjusting plans as needed.
Monitoring progress.
Treating conditions and disease management through nutrition.
Functional Nutrition
References
Carrard, Isabelle et al. “Un outil pour évaluer les comportements alimentaires: ESSCA” [A tool for assessing eating behaviors: ESSCA]. Revue medicale suisse vol. 12,511 (2016): 591-6.
Golan, M, and A Weizman. “Reliability and validity of the Family Eating and Activity Habits Questionnaire.” European journal of clinical nutrition vol. 52,10 (1998): 771-7. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600647
Greenwood, Jessica L J, et al. “Healthy eating vital sign: a new assessment tool for eating behaviors.” ISRN obesity vol. 2012 734682. 22 Jul. 2012, doi:10.5402/2012/734682
Kelley, Claire P et al. “Behavioral Modification for the Management of Obesity.” Primary care vol. 43,1 (2016): 159-75, x. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2015.10.004
Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been around for nearly 2,000 years. It became popular in Europe in the early 20th century. It has the same health benefits as tea, is rich in probiotics, contains antioxidants, and can destroy harmful bacteria. Kombucha sales are growing at stores because of its health and energy benefits.
Kombucha
It is typically made with black or green tea, sugar, healthy bacteria, and yeast. It is flavored by adding spices or fruits into the tea while it ferments. It is fermented for about a week, when gases, 0.5 percent of alcohol, beneficial bacteria, and acetic acid are produced. The fermentation process makes the tea slightly effervescent. It contains B vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics, but the nutritional content will vary depending on the brand and its preparation.
Benefits
The benefits include:
Improved digestion from the fact that fermentation makes probiotics.
Helps with diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome/IBS.
Toxin removal
Increased energy
Improved immune system health
Weight loss
Helps with high blood pressure
Heart disease
Kombucha, made from green tea, includes the benefits of:
Beneficial bacteria are known as probiotics. These same probiotics are found in other fermented foods, like yogurt and sauerkraut. Probiotics help populate the gut with healthy bacteria that aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and produce essential vitamins B and K. The probiotics improve bowel movements and alleviate nausea, bloating, and indigestion.
Antioxidants
The antioxidants and polyphenols benefits include:
Increased metabolic rate
Reduced blood pressure
Lowered cholesterol
Improved cognitive function
Decreased risk of chronic diseases – cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Anti-Bacterial Properties
The fermentation process produces acetic acid that destroys harmful pathogens like invasive bacteria and yeasts, preventing infection.
The anti-bacterial effect also preserves the beneficial bacteria.
Liver Detoxification
It can help detoxify the liver, which:
Improves overall skin health
Improves liver function
Decreases abdominal bloating and pain
Improves digestion and bladder function
Pancreatic Support
It can improve pancreatic function, which can help protect the body from diseases and illnesses like:
Acid reflux
Abdominal spasms
Numbness
Pancreatic cancer
Joint Support
The tea contains compounds like glucosamines that have been shown to improve joint health and relieve joint pain.
Glucosamines increase hyaluronic acid, lubricating the joints, which helps protect and strengthen them.
Satisfy Soda Craving
The variety of flavors and natural carbonation can satisfy the craving for a soda or other unhealthy beverages.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic includes elements of integrative medicine and takes a different approach to health and wellness. Specialists take a comprehensive view of an individual’s health, recognizing the need for a personalized treatment plan to help identify what is needed to get healthy. The team will create a customized plan that fits an individual’s schedule and needs.
Dietitian Explains Kombucha
References
Cortesia, Claudia et al. “Acetic Acid, the active component of vinegar, is an effective tuberculocidal disinfectant.” mBio vol. 5,2 e00013-14. 25 Feb. 2014, doi:10.1128/mBio.00013-14
Costa, Mirian Aparecida de Campos et al. “Effect of kombucha intake on the gut microbiota and obesity-related comorbidities: A systematic review.” Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 1-16. 26 Oct. 2021, doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.1995321
Gaggìa, Francesca, et al. “Kombucha Beverage from Green, Black and Rooibos Teas: A Comparative Study Looking at Microbiology, Chemistry and Antioxidant Activity.” Nutrients vol. 11,1 1. 20 Dec. 2018, doi:10.3390/nu11010001
Kapp, Julie M, and Walton Sumner. “Kombucha: a systematic review of the empirical evidence of human health benefit.” Annals of epidemiology vol. 30 (2019): 66-70. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.11.001
Villarreal-Soto, Silvia Alejandra, et al. “Understanding Kombucha Tea Fermentation: A Review.” Journal of food science vol. 83,3 (2018): 580-588. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.14068
The gut-brain axis is fundamental to the body as it communicates bi-directional with the brain and the gut. Separately they provide different functions that are required of the body. The brain, part of the central nervous system, allows the neurons to travel to each overlapping nerve root while having a causal relationship with different muscles and organs connected to the spinal cord. While the gut, which is part of the gastrointestinal and digestive system, helps modulate the body’s homeostasis and regulates the immune system. The nerves, muscles, and organs correspond as the nerve pathways interconnect to the spinal cord. When injuries or traumatic events affect the body, it can lead the individual to suffer from pain affecting their body while increasing the risk associated within different locations. For example, chronic stress causing gut inflammation is associated with headaches or neck and back pain. Today’s article focuses on the gut-brain axis, what happens when chronic issues affect the gut-brain axis, and how somatovisceral pain affects the gut-brain axis. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in gastroenterology treatments that help those with issues that affect the gut-brain axis and overlapping problems impacting the body. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
How Does The Gut & Brain Work Together?
The way the gut and brain correlate together is quite remarkable. The gut allows food to be digested in the stomach to be bio-transformed into nutrients the body needs to function. While the brain sends neuron signals through the spinal cord, those signals help provide the sensory-motor functions to make the body move. Now, how do the brain and gut work together in the body? Well, studies reveal that the gut-brain axis correlates to the various systems like the autonomic nervous system, the HPA axis, and the nerves surrounding the gastrointestinal tract help the brain influence intestinal activity and regulate cognitive function. Each of these vital organs has a causal relationship where they:
Help with sleep regulation
Improve memory functionality
Helps coordinate physical and emotional well-being
Regulating inflammatory responses
When chronic issues affect the gut-brain axis, it can cause an overlap in risk profiles that rise in the body and not just in the brain or the gut. Studies reveal that issues that begin to affect the gut-brain axis can cause alteration within the bi-directional pathway and trigger other problems that correlate to the body.
Chronic Issues Affecting The Gut-Brain Axis
Have you been suffering from fatigue? How about reoccurring headaches that never seem to go away? Do digestive complaints like IBS, GERD, or gut inflammation affect more than your gut? These chronic issues can be various factors that impact the bi-directional connection of the gut-brain axis. Stress, gut inflammation, traumatic events, food allergens, autoimmunity, and metainflammation are some overlapping risk profiles associated with neck and back pain. Studies reveal that chronic stress in the brain can affect the gut’s composition and functionality by alternating intestinal permeability. When the gut microbiome is being affected, the harmful bacteria begin to overproduce and trigger the sympathetic branch of the nervous system to cause an imbalance of hormones to be released and be associated with stress-related muscle dysfunction in the body. So what does this implicates to the body? Let’s say, for example, that you have been experiencing pain in the cervical region of the spine, but your brain is telling the body that it is a headache. This is known as somato-visceral pain.
An Overview Of Somatosensory Tract-Video
Have you been suffering from cognitive and memory dysfunction? How about experiencing gastrointestinal issues that are affecting your gut? Or have you experienced any cramping, gnawing, or sharp pain that seems to be triggered by movement and appears in one area of the body? This is known as somato-visceral pain and is defined as soft tissues and muscles experiencing pain that can affect the internal organs. Somato-visceral pain is much easier to identify than viscero-somatic pain because visceral pain is caused by damaged internal organs associated with distress in different body locations. At the same time, somato-visceral pain is often associated with musculoskeletal pain. The video above explains the somatosensory tract that is in the body and how the body responds to the somatosensory system. The somatosensory system is located within the peripheral and central nervous systems. It is responsible for modulating the body’s sense of touch, vibration, temperature, and pain receptors that are located in the body. When traumatic events affect the somatic nerves, they can trigger changes in the gut-brain axis and cause alterations to the affected organs.
Somatovisceral Pain Affecting The Gut-Brain Axis
When dealing with chronic stress, the effects cause a dysfunctional gut-brain axis and cause issues affecting the two organs. Studies reveal that when chronic stress becomes an associated mediator for gut disturbances and dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, it can cause an overlap in risk profiles in the body. So what does this mean, and how is the body affected by somato-visceral pain? First, let’s look at what happens when the body is affected by chronic stress. When stress affects the gut and the brain, it can cause issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or headaches. Studies reveal that IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that trigger visceral and somatic hypersensitivity on the sensory nerves. So the body experiencing sharp pain in the back or neck may be associated with IBS.
Now looking at headaches and their causes on the body, it is one example of somato-visceral pain. When a person is dealing with neck trauma due to an auto accident that causes whiplash can trigger cervicogenic headache. How do the two correlate with somato-visceral pain? Well, somato-visceral pain is when soft muscles and tissues are affected and can cause an impact on the internal organs. For cervicogenic headaches may trigger mechanical pain along the cervical spine to be aggravated by movement and be associated with musculoskeletal issues like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or muscle strain on the upper cervical spine. Many individuals go to available treatments that can help them better understand the issue that is causing them to be in pain and how to alleviate them.
Conclusion
The gut-brain axis is fundamental in the body as it communicates bi-directional with the brain and the gut. These two organs help keep the body functioning as the brain provides neuron signals while the gut regulates homeostasis. The gut-brain axis helps the body by correlating with the various systems that help influence intestinal activity and control cognitive function. When traumatic factors affect the body’s soft tissues and muscles and trigger organ issues, this is known as somato-visceral pain. Somato-visceral pain is when the muscles are affecting the organs, and an example is cervical muscle strain associated with headaches. Providing much-needed information on available treatments can help many individuals when being examined by their physicians.
References
Appleton, Jeremy. “The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health.” Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), InnoVision Health Media Inc., Aug. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6469458/.
Carabotti, Marilia, et al. “The Gut-Brain Axis: Interactions between Enteric Microbiota, Central and Enteric Nervous Systems.” Annals of Gastroenterology, Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/.
Martin, Clair R, et al. “The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis.” Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Elsevier, 12 Apr. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047317/.
Suslov, Andrey V, et al. “The Neuroimmune Role of Intestinal Microbiota in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI, 6 May 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8124579/.
Yuan, Yao-Zong, et al. “Functional Brain Imaging in Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Rectal Balloon-Distention by Using Fmri.” World Journal of Gastroenterology, Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, June 2003, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4611816/.
The body relies on the gut system to help regulate its homeostasis and metabolize the nutrients for the immune system. The beneficial gut bacteria help maintain the intestinal walls from developing chronic issues and affecting the entire body. The gut system also provides information to the central nervous system through the spinal cord to the brain. The neuron signals help transport the information to all the corresponding muscles, tissues, and organs that require the gut system to stay healthy and functional. When the gut develops issues, the related muscles, tissues, nerves, and surrounding organs begin to feel the effects, causing the body to be dysfunctional. When this happens, many individuals will start to suffer pain and go to their physicians to find relief. Today’s article focuses on the sympathetic nervous system, how it affects the body, and how gut disorders can disruptively affect the sympathetic nerves in the surrounded torso area. We refer patients to certified, skilled providers specializing in gastrointestinal and chiropractic treatments that help those suffering from gut disorders and bodily pain. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
The Sympathetic Nervous System
Have you been feeling stressed throughout the entire day? Do symptoms of inflammation tend to flare around the abdominal area or the abdominal organs? Do your muscles seem to tense up more than they should, even in their relaxed state? All of these signs and symptoms that affect the abdominal region of the body are all connected to the sympathetic nervous system in the body. Research studies have defined the sympathetic nervous system as part of the autonomic nervous system, a central nervous system component. The best way to describe the sympathetic nervous system is that it activates the adrenal glands to produce the hormone adrenaline causing the body to be in a “fight or flight” mode. The sympathetic nerves also help regulate the alpha and beta receptor activity of the various corresponding organs that stimulate the blood vessels surrounding the body, causing a relationship of the organs to the muscles.
How Does It Affect The Body?
As part of the autonomic system, the sympathetic nervous and parasympathetic systems help the body achieve homeostasis by exerting influences over the organ systems. Research studies have shown that this causes the organ systems to upregulate and downregulate the various functions that each muscle needs. Some of the tasks that the sympathetic nervous system that activates these organs include:
An increased metabolism
Decreased GI motility
An increased heart rate
An increase in movement and strength
Suppression in the immune system
Constriction of the large arteries and veins
Increase glucose production
Additional studies have noticed that the neurons in the sympathetic nervous system help prepare the body for various physical activities that affect the organs. This causal relationship between the organs and muscles helps redirect the blood flow to different body parts. The sensory impulses of the somatic tissue will then correlate to the spinal cord’s thoracic and lumbar spinal regions. When these nerves become irritated, it can coincidently cause a direct overlap on the muscles and visceral organs surrounding the nerves, changing their functionality. This causes somatic dysfunction to create the impression of overlapping profiles affecting the internal organs.
An Overview Of The Sympathetic Nervous System-Video
Have you experienced knee pain while having issues in the pelvic region? How about feeling pain in the lower abdomen that triggers spinal stiffness in the lumbar parts of the back? Or have you noticed any pain from the testicular area is relieved after a spinal manipulation? These symptoms are mediators of the sympathetic nervous system when internal organs are damaged. The video above explains the sympathetic nervous system and how it functions in the body. When the body suffers from traumatic forces or ordinary factors, it can cause an increased risk of other associated problems that can also affect it. The afferent fibers from the sympathetic nervous system can carry the pain signals from the somatic and visceral tissues that converge at the common synaptic site that is within the spinal cord. Research has stated that the somatic nociceptive signals can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract due to stress from various locations in the gut system. When this happens, it can cause an overlap of risk profiles in the entire body.
How Do Gut Disorders Affect The Sympathetic Nerves?
The way the gut system works is that it provides homeostasis to the body by regulating the immune system. When the sympathetic nerves are intertwined with the gut system and the spinal cord, research studies show that the sympathetic innervation to the GI tract helps regulate the motility, secretion, and blood flow by correlating to the nervous system’s activity and modulating GI inflammation. When the guts system begins to suffer from disorders affecting the entire body, it can trigger alarm points to the meridians that closely associate with one or more internal organs in the gut system. These alarm points are coincidentally represented as the first instances of visceral pain or tenderness to the somatic structures. When this happens, many physicians will notice that visceral pain involvement overlaps with referred pain, correlating with the individual’s history and other signs of dysfunction. This is a technique called nerve tracing, where physicians follow the line of tenderness from a painful region of the body to the spine, like how GI issues can cause musculoskeletal pain and disturb the visceral tone.
Conclusion
The body requires the gut to maintain homeostasis and help regulate the immune system. The gut system also provides information to the central nervous system by letting the neuron signals transport the sensory-motor functions through the sympathetic nervous system to make the body functional. The sympathetic nerves help provide organ activation to the body that can help prepare the body for various activities. When the sympathetic nerves become irritated, it can cause the muscles and organs to be triggered and change their functionality. This can make the surrounding organs and muscles have an increased risk associated with other disorders that affect the body and correlate to different symptoms. When individuals inform their primary physicians about these symptoms, it gives them a better understanding of these disorders’ causation.
References
Alshask, Mark N, and Joe M Das. “Neuroanatomy, Sympathetic Nervous System.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 14 May 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542195/.
Boezaart, Andre P, et al. “Visceral versus Somatic Pain: An Educational Review of Anatomy and Clinical Implications.” Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34145074/.
Cervi, Andrea L, et al. “Neural Regulation of Gastrointestinal Inflammation: Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System.” Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic & Clinical, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2014, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24412637/.
LeBouef, Tyler, et al. “Physiology, Autonomic Nervous System.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 8 May 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538516/.
Waxenbaum, Joshua A, et al. “Anatomy, Autonomic Nervous System – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 29 June 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539845/.
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