Over the past decade, vagus nerve stimulators have gained a lot of attention. People want to know what they are, how they work, and how they can improve health. This is especially true for those seeking non-drug treatments for chronic conditions. However, many don’t realize that vagus nerve stimulators (VNS) have been around since the 1800s . Ancient scientists used simple methods to stimulate the vagus nerve for healing. VNS reappeared in the 1980s, with the first VNS being implanted in a human in 1988. 

Today, the FDA has approved VNS to treat epilepsy, morbid obesity, treatment-resistant depression, and migraines among others.  This article looks at how VNS can be used to manage chronic pain.

What Is the Vagus Nerve?

The word “vagus” means wandering in Latin, and the vagus nerve lives up to its name. It starts in the brain and wanders all the way down to the abdomen. As part of the parasympathetic system, it handles things we don’t consciously think about, like pumping blood, breathing, and digesting food. But before we go into how stimulating this wandering nerve can help with pain, let’s first clear up the difference between chronic and acute pain. 

Chronic Pain Versus Acute Pain

Can Vagus Nerve Stimulation be used to manage acute pain? You’ll find the answer here.

Pain is either acute or chronic. Acute pain comes from a recent injury, follows a clear biological process, and has an endpoint. Chronic pain, on the other hand, lasts over three months and isn’t linked to a new injury. It doesn’t follow the same biological rules as acute pain.

Chronic pain often involves inflammation and how the brain interprets pain signals. Because of this, it doesn’t respond well to typical treatments like painkillers. Managing chronic pain requires a creative, multi-system approach, which may include physiotherapy, surgery, cold therapy, and even vagus nerve stimulation.

Intriguing Connection Between the Vagus Nerve and Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is multifaceted, and so is the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve connects to different parts of the brain that process pain and discomfort. At its core, the vagus nerve works to maintain a pain-free, balanced state in the body. Science is only now catching up to this fascinating connection between chronic pain and vagus nerve stimulation.

How Vagus Nerve Stimulation Works

Modern vagus nerve stimulation devices work by sending gentle electrical pulses to the brain through the vagus nerve. These pulses adjust brain activity, reduce inflammation, and help to ease chronic pain. Similar to a pacemaker, these devices work quietly in the background without triggering any noticeable sensations.

Invasive Versus Non Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation

There are two main types of VNS devices: invasive and non-invasive.

• Invasive VNS: This is the old approach to VNS and involves surgically implanting a device under the skin to  deliver electrical impulses to the vagus nerve using a wire.
• Non-invasive VNS: This is a new approach to VNS where a small device is used to deliver electrical impulses to the vagus nerve through the skin. Most times, the device is worn around the neck. 

Benefits of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Over Traditional Approaches to Pain Management

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 Americans has experienced chronic pain. Due to its complex nature, chronic pain is difficult to treat with conventional medications. Unfortunately, chronic pain can be debilitating if left untreated.

Here are some reasons why VNS may be a good option for those with chronic pain:

• Helps reduce reliance on opioids and other addictive pain medications.
• Non-invasive VNS devices are generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects.
• Non-invasive devices allow individuals to administer treatment at home, making it a practical option for ongoing pain management.

Who Can Benefit from Vagus Nerve Stimulators?

It is accurate to state that anyone suffering from chronic pain may benefit from using vagus nerve stimulators. However, this treatment is mostly recommended for chronic pain patients who have not found relief from traditional therapies. Chronic pain conditions that may respond well to vagus nerve stimulation include:

• Migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Neuropathic pain

Always remember that chronic pain is a complex condition. As a result, people respond differently to various treatments and interventions. The secret here is to maintain an open but positive mind!

How to Get Started with Vagus Nerve Stimulation

If you think that you can benefit from VNS, the first thing to do is talk to your specialist doctor. Ask them if VNS is suitable for your specific type of chronic pain. 

For those curious about the technology, vagus nerve stimulation device manufacturers offer various options to suit individual needs. These devices are generally easy to use and come with clear instructions on how to administer the treatment.

Conclusion

Vagus nerve stimulators hold a lot of promise in the management of chronic pain. They may be a suitable alternative where traditional pain treatments have failed to provide relief. They may also offer a complementary benefit to other modalities in chronic pain management.

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and haven’t found success with other treatments, VNS might be the solution you’ve been searching for. The first step is to consult your healthcare provider to learn more about how a vagus nerve stimulation device could help manage your chronic pain and improve your quality of life.

 

References

[1]. Badran, B. W., & Austelle, C. W. (2022). The Future Is Noninvasive: A Brief Review of the Evolution and Clinical Utility of Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 20(1), 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20210023

[2]. Grichnik, K. P., & Ferrante, F. M. (1991). The difference between acute and chronic pain. The Mount Sinai journal of medicine, New York, 58(3), 217–220.

[3]. Fang, X. X., Zhai, M. N., Zhu, M., He, C., Wang, H., Wang, J., & Zhang, Z. J. (2023). Inflammation in pathogenesis of chronic pain: Foe and friend. Molecular pain, 19, 17448069231178176. https://doi.org/10.1177/17448069231178176

[4]. Shao, P., Li, H., Jiang, J., Guan, Y., Chen, X., & Wang, Y. (2023). Role of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain. Neuroimmunomodulation, 30(1), 167–183. https://doi.org/10.1159/000531626