Gut Dysfunction
Gut dysfunction is any alteration to the normal intestinal barrier. When the barrier is changed, it can allow inflammation, change in bacterial populations, malabsorption, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut., creating a cycle of gut dysfunction and neurological dysfunction. Therefore, a person’s stomach or intestinal distress (gut dysfunction) can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. That’s because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected.
Signs and Symptoms
Gut dysfunction can lead to symptoms such as flatulence, distension, diarrhea, constipation, GERD, bloating, fatigue, anxiety, depression, weight loss, food sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, and many more.
3 Common Gut Dysfunctions
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
SIBO is an alteration of the normal bacterial populations in the small intestine. SIBO can be caused by the use of antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors (Nexium), and hypothyroidism. SIBO is present concurrently in many that have Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. Most common symptoms are diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, distension, malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies, and weight loss.
Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities are much different than allergies. Allergies can result in anaphylaxis, whereas sensitivities will not do that. Food sensitivities result from an altered immune response to the protein component of food. Sensitivities can change as the immune response changes. Common sensitivities are to gluten, dairy, eggs, and food additives. You may feel inflamed, not digesting appropriately, or it may trigger headaches. Food sensitivities that are present with a concussion, dementia, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis can increase the symptoms till the foods are removed.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome results in abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhea, gas, cramping, and constipation. Like SIBO and food sensitivities there is a dysregulation of the immune system. Specifically, there is increasing attention paid to the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis is the bi-directional communication between these two systems. The communication is why those with gut issues commonly complain of brain symptoms.
Our Approach to Diagnostics and Testing
Our clinicians not only have an understanding of the brain but have extensive knowledge of the gut. They understand how the gut and brain interact, and therefore what happens in the presence of gut dysfunction. This understanding necessitates not only examining your gut health but to assess brain function as well. It is only when both of these systems are functioning optimally that the best results can occur, because gut dysfunction can prevent substantial neurological recovery.
How We Can Evaluate Gut Health:
- Stool Testing
- Food Sensitivity
- Testing to both cooked and uncooked foods
- Gluten Sensitivity Testing
- Autoimmune Markers for Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis
- Breath Tests for SIBO
- Neurological Physical Exam
- VNG for Eye Movements
- CAPS for Balance
The findings from assessments of immune and brain health will allow us to create a plan specific to you. It is common for your plan to include removal of foods creating inflammation as well as nutrition to support immune health. Brain-based treatments are built around establishing healthy communication of the brain and immune system.
How We Evaluate Brain Health
Our Approach to Care
At Revive we specialize in providing treatment to the neurological regions affected by gut dysfunction. Your treatment can include balance, gait, and eye training; as well as hand-eye coordination, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), hyperbaric oxygen, diet, and supplements.
We offer a unique process that is built to maximize time and results. To reach your personal healthcare goals, it is imperative that your physicians and care providers precisely know your individual story and desires. Your individual goals are the focal point of the comprehensive treatment plan which is based off your exam, diagnostics, and lab results.
Beyond the neurological system, there are many factors that can impact the presentation of gut dysfunction: the immune system, diet, sleep, and stress (to list a few). By integrating knowledge of the brain and influence of these factors, we are able to be very specific with targeted therapies which create lasting neurological changes. Your treatment plan is designed specifically for you and is not a protocol.
This plan is executed over 5-10 days. Patients see measurable improvement during their time in our office and continue to make gains once they leave. To help ensure success on your journey of healing, we create and define a plan for you when you go home. This plan may include sourcing local specialist for a safe and effective continuum of care. Our goal is to see each patient continue to build upon the initial results they achieved in our office.
Research on our Treatments
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) sends a magnetic waveform through the skull that depolarizes the brain cells. rTMS can be directed at specific regions of the cortex to cause activation of the neurons in the area.
Enhancing memory performance with rTMS in healthy subjects and individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: the role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in the Treatment of Post-stroke and Neurodegenerative Aphasia: Parallels, Differences, and Lessons Learned
The treatment of fatigue by non-invasive brain stimulation.Role of the Human Medial Frontal Cortex in Task Switching: A Combined fMRI and TMS Study
Transient Storage of a Tactile Memory Trace in Primary Somatosensory Cortex
Effects of Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Gamma Frequency Oscillations and Event-Related Potentials During Processing of Illusory Figures in Autism
Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) Affects Event-Related Potential Measures of Novelty Processing in Autism
Transcranial magnetic stimulation provides means to assess cortical plasticity and excitability in humans with fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder
Adults with cerebral palsy: a workshop to define the challenges of treating and preventing secondary musculoskeletal and neuromuscular complications in this rapidly growing population
rTMS: Updates in the Treatment of Spasticity Associated With Cerebral Palsy
Interhemispheric Balance in Parkinson’s Disease: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study
Cognitive Training and Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Cognition in Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-analysis
Effectiveness of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with depression and Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials
Using non-invasive transcranial stimulation to improve motor and cognitive function in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Follow up study: The influence of rTMS with high and low frequency stimulation on motor and executive function in Parkinson’s disease.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with cognitive training for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease with Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Cognitive Training: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as an Alternative Therapy for Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Effects of noninvasive brain stimulation on cognitive function in healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Modulation of a brain-behavior relationship in verbal working memory by rTMS
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen in a pressurized environment, at a level higher than 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA). Increased pressure allows for oxygen to dissolve and saturate the blood plasma (independent of hemoglobin/red blood cells), which yields a broad variety of positive physiological, biochemical and cellular effects. This noninvasive therapy is the most trusted way to increase oxygen levels to all organs of the body. The typical treatment lasts for 60-90 minutes, during which the patient lies down and breathes normally. HBOT has been demonstrated in several clinical studies to enhance the body’s innate ability to repair and regenerate. It is used as an adjunct therapy to complement and enhance the healing process in both chronic and acute conditions.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been shown to increase oxygen saturation to tissues and increase the amount of stem cell production and circulation. This allows for the greatest potential for healing in the brain.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for brain injury, cerebral palsy, and stroke.
Hyperbaric oxygen – its mechanisms and efficacy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may improve symptoms in autistic children
Randomized trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for children with autism
Study the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Egyptian autistic children: A clinical trial
Neuroprotective effect of combined therapy with hyperbaric oxygen and madopar on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson’s disease in rats
Hyperbaric Oxygen Pretreatment Improves Cognition and Reduces Hippocampal Damage Via p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in a Rat Model
Hyperbaric Oxygen and Ginkgo Biloba Extract Ameliorate Cognitive and Memory Impairment via Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Pathway in Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for multiple sclerosis.
Regional gray matter atrophy and neuropsychologcal problems in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Functional Movement exercises and whole body vibration have shown tremendous results in increasing strength and self-awareness, while activating the cerebellum and areas of the parietal lobes.
We utilize Electrical Stimulation (E-stim) in many different waveforms to increase strength, increase self-awareness, decrease spasticity, and active brainstem neurons.
AL-TENS/SSEP
AL-TENS is a form of hyperstimulation described by Sjölund and colleagues in the 1970s. The intention of AL-TENS is to stimulate small diameter, high threshold peripheral afferents (A-delta) in order to activate extrasegmental descending pain inhibitory pathways. Non-painful muscle twitches occur during stimulation causing activity in small diameter muscle afferents. Electrodes are positioned over myotomes, trigger points, and acupuncture points. The term AL-TENS is used loosely in literature making the synthesis of research findings difficult.
ReBuilder
In effect, the ReBuilder acts like a pacemaker works for your heart’s electrical signals. If the pacemaker does not send exactly the right signal, then the four chambers of the heart may not pump in the right order and if the signal is too fast or too slow, the heart stops. So, too, the ReBuilder’s precisely controlled waveform coaxes your nerves to transmit their signals in the proper order. Although designated as a TENS relative to the FDA’s regulations, the ReBuilder’s signals are vastly more controlled and precise.
The ReBuilder is typically used on patients as a neurological intervention to help with cortical remapping. If the brain is unsure of where the feet are in space after a stroke or other biomechanical event, the ReBuilder can help strengthen those signaling pathways. Additionally, vagal stimulation or gait protocols may be used for similar reasons.
Clinical Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Children With Cerebral Palsy, Part 1: Lower Extremity
THE USE OF THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IN THE TREATMENT OF HEMIPLEGIC CEREBRAL PALSY
Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation during Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Action mechanisms of transcranial direct current stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
Temporal cortex direct current stimulation enhances performance on a visual recognition memory task in Alzheimer disease.
Non-invasive neuromodulation to improve gait in chronic multiple sclerosis: a randomized double blind controlled pilot trial
Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation (tVNS): a new neuromodulation tool in healthy humans?
Working memory improvement with non-invasive brain stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Effects of functional electrical stimulation on gait in people with multiple sclerosis – A systematic review.
Management of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis using functional electrical stimulation and exercise.
Effects of functional electrical stimulation on gait in people with multiple sclerosis – A systematic review.
A Multimodal, Nonpharmacologic Intervention Improves Mood and Cognitive Function in People with Multiple Sclerosis.
The effects of vagus nerve stimulation therapy in patients with intractable seizures and either Landau–Kleffner syndrome or autism
Sensory Motor Integration (SMI) can help increase reaction time and motor skills. SMI is strongly researched in the world of developmental delays and can be adapted to affect many different disorders.
Cold Laser Therapy, also known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), has shown increases in mitochondria production in cells, helping to decrease inflammation and increase healthy cellular activity. When the cold laser is utilized as a transcranial (through the skull) therapy we see an increase in brain activation to the targeted areas.
Transcranial infrared laser stimulation produces beneficial cognitive and emotional effects in humans
Treating cognitive impairment with transcranial low-level laser therapy
Cognitive enhancement by transcranial laser stimulation and acute aerobic exercise
Role of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Neurorehabilitation
Vestibular/Rotational Therapy is a very powerful tool in the world of neurological rehabilitation. When we look at brain development we see that movement drive brain growth and one of the most important areas for sensing movement is the vestibular system. When we utilize rotational therapy to active the vestibular system we see an increase in activating in several cortical regions. Our multi-axis rotational device (GyroStim) utilizes the otolithic and vestibular system to stimulate and strengthen projections throughout the brain. By utilizing a controlled directional spin in our multi-axis rotational device, we can activate specific regions of the brain in order to affect a variety of different disorders.
At lower levels of motion intensity, the multi-axis rotational device is used by those recovering from physical and cognitive dysfunction as a result of a concussion, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, autism, aging, and other conditions. At higher levels of intensity, GyroStim is used by active individuals, athletes, and others with fast-paced, demanding, high-stress lifestyles to maintain and enhance peak performance.
Functional brain imaging of peripheral and central vestibular disorders
Studies of caloric vestibular stimulation: implications for the cognitive neurosciences, the clinical neurosciences, andneurophilosophy
Effects of vestibular and cerebellar deficits on gaze and torso stability during ambulation
Vestibular stimulation influence on motor development in infants
Effects of vestibular stimulation on motor development and stereotyped behavior of developmentally delayed children
Effects of Vestibular Stimulation on Motor Development of Cerebral-palsied Children
The influence of rotational exercises on freezing in Parkinson’s disease
Gaze and viewing angle influence visual stabilization of upright posture.
Vestibular stimulation influence on motor development in infants