Vagus Nerve

[EngMac]

A chiropractor told my sister that interference with the vagus nerve in the neck, C7 vertebrae I think, could impact AF and maybe cause it. Does anyone know anything about this possibility? I wonder if running or cycling could impact the neck.

[Hidden]

Hi EngMac,

Just a personal view, some evidence is around to suggest that if one has a predisposition to AF then some extreme sports could cause AF to become active as, say, opposed to being otherwise dormant. In Australia some pro cyclists are being treated for AF. I thiink as a separate but in a way a related issue, a dysfunctional vagus or vagal nerve could also bring on AF. The vagal nerve controls both heart and digestive system. Suggest you google it ... there are some pretty good diagrams online which illustrate it. As an aside, apart from meds I control my AF by diet (so long as my digestive system is calm my AF remains dormant) ..... however, I have had an ongoing issue with T7 and vertebrae higher and into the neck for over 25 years and is today treated with gentle manipulation by osteopathy.

John

[Ewcia in reply to Hidden]

Hi John. I do agree about your theory re: vagal nerve , heart and stomach. I do feel well when eating healthy, smaller portion meals. My heart and digestive system do not like heavy , unhealthy meals. Cheers.

Eva

[BobD Volunteer]

It is well know that the vagus nerve can have an effect on AF if you have the predisposition to AF in teh first place. Also that extreme training can enlarge the left atria and stretch the pathways thus allowing rogue impulses to start up.

Nothing new there sadly.

[CDreamer]

I visit a Chiro regularly and an adjustment has both stopped my AF episode and on 3 occasions caused one. My chiro is now very careful when adjusting and mainly uses a vibrating adjuster than a physical adjustment, so yes, I do believe it will affect AF.

The vagal nerve goes through the right side of the neck so not sure it is C7 which affects the vagal but the main nerve to the heart is in the thoracic region and it has always been a thoracic not cervical adjustment which affected me.

I also know there have been some criticism of chiros causing heart arrythmias, can't remember the guy's name but from Exeter Uni did a lot of work on trying to stop Chiropractice period. Personally it has helped so many other issues I have had that i would be very much against that.

I am sure if you google search you will find something.

[CDreamer]

Forgot to say that I have a longstanding misalignment to C3/4 resulting from a whiplash injury over 20 years ago which requires regular adjustment, don't believe I have any probs C7.

[PeterWh in reply to CDreamer]

Same for me in accident 28 years ago.

[Hidden]

I had a successful cryoablation for AF in September 2014 which has allowed me to regain my life. However the thinking is it affected my Vagus nerve and my digestion so I now have daily periods of excessive flatulence and Horrible almost sulphurous burping. It is not progressive and I am hoping it will improve in time. It is helped by eating more simply, and I have adopted a Vegan diet, which in turn has allowed me to lose weight so no bad thing there. Overall life is now damn good!

[Offcut]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/251...

This is the opposite to causing AF. Ablation can bring on AF by affecting some proples Vagus nerves if there are certain conditions?

[CreateHealth]

Hello All,

I have wondered if there is a connection.

I had my atrial flutter attack (hospital, cardioconversion, etc.) 2 days after an adjustment with a chiropractor.

I had not seen a chiro in years.

Any information on this?

[AnneTS]

Hmm. Your post is thought-provoking. I was rear-ended some years ago and had a nasty whiplash. The medics poo poo whiplash now but I wonder if they might be wrong and injuries such as this may cause problems a few years down the line. Anne

[Hidden]

Hi Engmac, that connection is good to know. I feel the Vagal nerve is a key issue for me. These days I go a lot on what I thought was just habit but I actually believe now is signals from the body/mind.

When sitting I have for some time felt the need to support my head with cushions to relax my neck - you can imagine my wife's comments! I also go for a shoulder/neck massage once every 6 months. Possibly this is for a reason and relief for a pinched Vagal nerve brought on by tension in the shoulders and neck through work/personal stress and using dumbbells.

Maybe??

[rosailor]

Whenever I have an Ulcerative Colitis " flare up " ( an inflammatory disease similar to Chrohn's disease) then an AF attack begins.

As mentioned earlier, the vagus nerve is linked to both the heart and digestive system which can explain in my mind the reason.