Why Does a Headache Cause Vomiting? Stomach and the Vagus Nerve Explained

Migraines severely impact a person’s social, life, and work. Intense pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, light and sound sensitivity, and other symptoms. This neurological disease often disrupts sleep quality, and the accumulation of migraines can easily cause anxiety and depression.

Scientists have discovered that in addition to environmental and genetic factors, the vagus nerve also has a significant influence on migraines. Some studies even suggest that appropriate stimulation of the vagus nerve can effectively reduce the severity and frequency of headaches. This article will introduce the relationship between the vagus nerve and headache-induced vomiting.

吳朗然物理治療師
10/08/2024

What is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is an important nerve that transmits signals between your brain, heart, and digestive system. It is a key part of your parasympathetic nervous system. Vagus nerve damage can lead to:

Difficulty swallowing
Low blood pressure
Slow or fast heart rate
Changes in the digestive process, such as nausea or vomiting
Abdominal bloating or pain
People with respiratory or heart disease may experience depression and anxiety

The Connection Between the Brain and Stomach

The brain and stomach have a close connection, and their bidirectional communication and regulation are crucial for maintaining normal digestion and emotional regulation. The connections include:

Emotional connection: Studies indicate that serotonin secreted by our brain regulates emotions and affects our gut function or feelings of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Nervous system: The vagus nerve is the ninth cranial nerve and is key in controlling the heart and digestive system.
Fascial system: In the anatomy train’s deep front line, the visceral fascia connects to the cervical and cranial fascia.

How to Restore the Brain-Gut Connection?

To restore the brain-gut connection, the corresponding nodal points must be untangled from their connections.

Emotional connection: In addition to managing life and work stress, Chinese herbal medicine can soothe the liver, relieve depression, nourish the heart, and calm the mind, achieving a soothing effect.
Nervous system: Microcurrent stimulation of the vagus nerve can effectively reduce neuronal excitability.
Fascial system: Manual therapy can release abnormal visceral fascial tension, improving visceral blood circulation and vitality.

How Chinese Medicine Regulates the Stomach and Intestines

In regulating the stomach and intestines, Chinese medicine primarily focuses on strengthening the spleen and regulating qi, with common treatment methods including:

Strengthening the spleen and benefiting qi
Drying dampness and resolving phlegm
Promoting qi flow and dispersing nodules
Clearing heat and draining dampness

Visceral Fascial Techniques from the Inside Out

Visceral fascial techniques involve listening to the body’s expressions, locating problematic structures such as viscera, fascia, blood vessels, and nerves, and then applying targeted therapeutic techniques to release nodal obstructions and restore vitality.

Clinically, releasing the lesser omentum, the connective tissue between the liver and stomach, can effectively improve liver and stomach function while enhancing the digestive system’s blood circulation. The fascial chain reaction can also help reduce cranial fascial pressure, thereby alleviating headache severity.

[Extended Reading] Check Your Neck if You Got One-sided Headache

MANA Core Values

Integration of Eastern and Western Medicine, Multidimensional Therapy
Reshaping Structural Integrity to Achieve Inner and Outer Balance
Guiding Body Perception to Think & Foster a Healthy Lifestyle
Conducted by Registered TCM Practitioners and Physiotherapists for Examination and Treatment

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