Your Gut has a brain that can help with Chronic Pain?

Your Gut has a brain that can help with Chronic Pain? The lining of the gut contains specialized cells call Glial cells that help program your brain’s responses to pain and tendencies to produce inflammation. It’s because of this that the phrase “Gut Brain” is used in many modern healing circles. It has been called our “second brain” due to the intricate nervous system (the enteric nervous system) it holds within it and how it communicates with our brain (the gut-brain axis). Yes, your gut has a brain that can help with chronic pain. Gut microbiota can modulate, or tweak, the gut-brain axis, which enables them to influence brain function and pain sensation. Researchers are finding that imbalances in the microbiota-gut-brain axis can lead to metabolic and cardiovascular disease as well as certain neurological diseases, depression, and chronic pain.

How can the Gut influence Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a complex and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is often associated with inflammation, nerve damage, and psychological distress. However, the exact mechanisms underlying chronic pain are still poorly understood.

A study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain demonstrates that the gut microbiota – the community of microorganisms that live in our digestive tract – plays a key role in modulating chronic pain via these Glial cells. Glial cells are involved in many aspects of pain processing, such as sensitization, modulation, and transmission. They can also respond to signals from the gut microbiota and alter their functions accordingly. The gut microbiota can then influence the brain and the nervous system through various pathways, such as the production of neurotransmitters, hormones, and immune factors. This bidirectional communication is known as the gut-brain axis.

How can this work for me?

Certain foods can reduce the activation and inflammation of glial cells and enhance their protective and reparative functions. These studies show that your gut and brain are very connected and can help you deal with chronic pain. By changing the diet, supplementing with prebiotics or probiotics or taking certain supplements or medicines, we become able to improve the way our brains respond to pain and create inflammation.  

Do we work this into the Chiropractic Treatment Plan?

At Blue Heron Chiropractic we are gong to look at all the ways that you can get optimal results. This includes looking at the most new and improved, enhanced and expanding thinking, which includes a Functional Medicine approach.  Let’s talk about how dietary changes can help improve your condition and influence your overall health. Ask us about this at a session you can schedule here.

<h2>Is Blue Heron Chiropractic masking for the COVID-19 Pandemic at this time?</h2>Including with the latest variants, a lot of people are still getting sick. While it’s true that increased immunity has helped decrease the severity of responses in non-immune-compromised people, the sickness can still knock you out for a week or more.  While the Doctor is going to mask for your session, your mask is definitely optional and we are absolutely fine with that. Staff is always vaccinated and boosted, and so even if we get this, we won’t be gone long and can get back to caring for you. We remain proactive and protective for folks who are immune compromised, have “Long Covid”, or need special considerations. A patient can wear their own mask at any time – and If you would like a mask and don’t have one, we can provide it – but again, masking is optional.  If you have flu-like symptoms, are sneezing or coughing or blowing, we may provide you with a mask, so we can continue to serve you better; feel free to mention this to us when you call in to confirm your appointment.  You can access Chiropractic safely and securely at Blue Heron Chiropractic & Healing Arts Center, with Dr. Dana Sibilla, DC DABCO FIANM.

Want some more chiropractic reading? Try our prior blog on Hiking Sticks for the fall and winter season. You can even go all the way back in time and check this oldie but goodie on Walking sticks.