An in-depth and very interesting article published by the New York Times, “Can the Nervous System Be Hacked?”, shares the efforts of neurosurgeon and Feinstein Institute president, Kevin Tracey to uncover the link between the nervous system and the immune system. More specifically, his work led to the hypothesis that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can alleviate harmful inflammation. Incredibly, Tracey believes that bioelectrics or electrical nerve stimulation will eventually be able to replace the drug industry.
The vagus nerve is right behind the artery where you find your pulse and, along with its branches, carries nerve impulses to every major organ in the body. Among Tracey’s findings was that when electrical stimulation is delivered to the vagus nerve at the right intensity and in precise intervals, the effect was essentially a reproduction of a drug’s therapeutic reaction. In subsequent research, he also found that it did so with minimal health risks and more effectively than drug therapies.
Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Chron’s disease are currently treated with a variety of drugs from painkillers and steroids to drugs known as biologics. These medications are not only costly from a financial standpoint but often also come with many side effects, some of which can be deadly. In September of 2011, Set Point Medical began trials based on Tracey’s finding to see treat rheumatoid arthritis with electrical stimulation. Of the 18 patients currently in the ongoing trial, two-thirds showed marked improvement.
One treatment option that is gaining popularity for a variety of conditions including MS, rheumatoid arthritis and much more is Chiropractic Neurology, which employs the use of techniques such as electrical stimulation, light, heat, water and sound stimulation along with chiropractic adjustments to restore the brain and nervous system back to a state of well being. Based in science and seeking to alleviate the disruptions in the body that cause these conditions, Chiropractic Neurology is a drug-free and non-invasive option for treatment that is fast acting and very effective.
Studies like Tracey’s are paving the way for advances in medicine that are giving new hope to patients with debilitating diseases and could even have positive implications for conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis.
To read the New York Times article in its entirety, click here. If you would like to learn more about how Chiropractic Neurology can help you or a loved one, please contact Dr. Marc Ellis at the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today.