A quite interesting approach in finding a cure and the root cause of some complex body dysfunctions (like AFib) are the scientific works of the last centuries putting the bodies autonomic nervous system (ANS) into focus. Especially the Vagus Nerve, as a part of this system, seems to play an important role. Stephen Porges for example has done a lot of basic research regarding the autonomic nervous system and created a therapy approach that is named: “The Polyvagal-Theory“. At least his theory says that dysfunctions /-balances regarding the autonomic nervous system can lead to multiple symptoms and physical and mental disorders in the whole body.
Stanley Rosenberg is also a very well-known advocate, therapist, and proponent for considering the autonomic nervous system in the treatment of many disorders of physical and mental well-being. His latest book, “Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism,” describes in easy-to-understand terms how anyone can positively influence their autonomic nervous system to begin the healing process.
(Note: Here are two interviews with Stanley Rosenberg. In the first one he emphasizes the relevance of using and combining alternative treatment approaches such as ostheopathy and ayurveda. In his opinion, especially a combination of different approaches could be a very effective healing approach for patrons who are looking for a real alternative to the classical approaches of Western medicine, which is mostly dominated by the single interests of a powerful pharmaceutical industry. Rosenbergs also notes that many of these so-called alternative approaches, such as ayurveda, have been known by mankind for hundreds or even thousands of years. In the second one he talks about his new book mentioned above and his healing approach in general.)
What is my personal opinion about ayurveda and ostheopathy?
Well, I tried both approaches and I can only say that ayurveda and ostheopathy, contrary to the Western medical approaches, were the ones that did me no more harm than good. I was very pleasantly surprised that for the first time a therapist was interested in the deeper context of my condition. While mistakes certainly happen in ostheopathy and ayurveda, these are, in my perception, completely exaggerated by the media and bear no relation to the mistakes and their consequences that are commonplace in Western medicine were medical errors have been scientifically identified as a the third leading cause of death in the US.
But how to measure the functional state of the autonomic nervous system?
Actually there are two parameters (or KPIs) that are mainly used in trying to measure if the autonomic nervous system is working well, one is the RSA (Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia) and another one the HRV (Heart Rate Variabillity). Both Values show the the adaptability of the body to the circumstances surrounding it. Rule of thumb: The more adaptable the better it is.
In simple words the autonomic nervous system has a gas pedal (increasing sympaticotonus) and a brake (increasing vagaltone), these two should balance each other out or the system will “crash” after some time – Result = body dysfunction. To asses wether this gas pedal / brake system is in good shape values of HRV and RSA are consultated. (Note: My interval training based “BackToSinus”-Procedure to stop/terminate my AFib-Episodes works like this: Speeding up, relax (brake) again, speeding up, relax (brake) again , … .)
The HRV was something I got to know myself pesonally while being in contact with Prof. Dr. Michael Stark here in Hamburg who runs an institute for stress and fatique research. Professor Stark is convinced that in many cases AFib is directly related to a permanent elevated activation level (high sympaticotonus) of the autonomic nervous system and a healing approach should consider the decrease of this elevation by meditation techniques, yoga exercises, acupuncture, etc. .
In other words a suitable treatment should make the gas and the brake pedal work again.
With regard to acupuncture, probably known to many from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are now many interesting studies and articles regarding AFib existing.
For example, the article “Acupuncture Reverts Heart Arrhythmias To Normal” is about the use of acupuncture to restore stable sinus rhythm, especially in VPBs (ventricular premature beats) and AFib.
A quite interesting study mentioned in this article was this one:
“Comparison between therapeutic effects of acupuncture and intravenous injection of amiodarone in the treatment of paroxymal atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.“
Note: As already mentioned above the media evaluation regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as ayurveda and osteopathy, is very variable and possibly, for opportunistic economical reasons, not objective. But more and more, alternative treatment concepts with positive results are coming into the focus of international science. As an example, the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to pharmacologist Youyou Tu, was the first Nobel Prize in Science to be awarded to a scientist from China. Tu’s discovery of artemisinin (mugwort) – a key anti-malarial drug that has saved millions of lives – has its roots in the ancient Chinese herbal medicine.
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