Neuropathies of the Gut: The Role of Nerves

Enteric & Autonomic Neuropathies of the Gut: A Biomechanics-Informed, Integrative Guide

Key points (at a glance)

• Two nerve systems run the gut: the enteric nervous system (ENS) inside the GI tract and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that links the gut to the rest of the body. When these are injured, timing and coordination fail, causing gastroparesis, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea (Stanford Health Care; NIDDK; Camilleri, 2021).

• Why nerves fail: long-term diabetes, autoimmune activity, infections, toxin/medication effects (including some chemotherapies), and nutrient deficits (e.g., B12, vitamin E) (Azpiroz & Malagelada, 2016; Carlotta et al., 2018; Camilleri, 2021).

• Mechanistic bridge to MSK care: thoracic/rib stiffness, diaphragm mechanics, abdominal wall guarding, and stress-driven sympathetic tone can amplify GI symptoms even when the root cause is neurologic/medical.

• Best results come from a team plan: address the driver, relieve symptoms, restore function with targeted rehab, breathing, and graded activity—while avoiding over-claims about any single therapy.

The gut’s “autopilot,” made simple

Your gut has millions of neurons and support cells (enteric glia) that coordinate movement, mixing, enzyme release, and blood flow without conscious effort. These ENS circuits talk constantly with the ANS. If signaling is damaged, the GI tract may move too slowly (leading to early fullness, nausea, and constipation) or too quickly (diarrhea). Research also shows glia help protect the gut lining and shape nerve activity; inflammation can alter glia-neuron communication and shift motility (NIDDK; Stanford Health Care; Patankar et al., 2025; Camilleri, 2021).

Why these neuropathies develop

1) Diabetes (most common worldwide)

Chronic high glucose injures small vessels and nerves, including those that control gastric and intestinal motility. Symptoms include gastroparesis, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Better glucose control helps slow progression (Azpiroz & Malagelada, 2016; NIDDK).

2) Autoimmune & inflammatory drivers

Autoantibodies and immune signals can change ion channels and receptors on enteric or autonomic neurons, disturbing reflexes and timing (Camilleri, 2021).

3) Infection-related and barrier changes

Some infections and small-fiber neuropathies disrupt neuro-immune balance and can weaken gut-lining “tight junctions,” worsening sensitivity and motility swings (Massachusetts General Hospital—Pathways, 2022).

4) Nutrient deficits & malabsorption

Deficits in B12, vitamin E, and others increase neuropathy risk; malabsorption itself can have neurologic effects (Carlotta et al., 2018).

5) Toxins/medications

Selected chemo agents and other exposures can damage autonomic and peripheral nerves, producing limb numbness and new bowel symptoms (Camilleri, 2021; Piedmont Healthcare).

Symptoms you’ll actually notice

• Stomach (gastroparesis): early fullness, nausea, vomiting of undigested food, appetite/weight change (Stanford Health Care).

• Small intestine: bloating, distension; sometimes small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (gas, diarrhea) (Camilleri, 2021; UEGJ review, 2024).

• Colon/rectum: constipation, diarrhea, or alternating patterns; urgency or leakage when rectal sensation/coordination are affected (NIDDK).

• Autonomic clues elsewhere: lightheadedness on standing, sweating changes, and heart-rate swings (NIDDK).

Symptoms often flare with large meals, stress, inactivity, or abdominal wall guarding—and settle with smaller meals, hydration, and gentle post-meal walking (Camilleri, 2021).

Diagnosis: how clinicians connect the dots

1. History & exam: symptom timing, meal size/texture, hydration, weight changes, glucose control, meds (including opioids/anticholinergics), sleep/stress, activity level. Check for neuropathy in hands/feet and for mechanical factors that increase abdominal pressure (NIDDK).

2. Labs: glucose/A1c; thyroid; B12, folate, vitamin E; iron studies; inflammatory/autoimmune markers as indicated (Carlotta et al., 2018).

3. Motility & autonomic testing: gastric emptying study (or breath test) for gastroparesis; manometry or wireless motility capsule for small bowel/colon; autonomic function testing if broader dysautonomia is suspected (Azpiroz & Malagelada, 2016; Camilleri, 2021; NIDDK).

4. Imaging & special studies: abdominal imaging as needed; in complex cases, evaluation of barrier integrity or small-fiber neuropathy (Massachusetts General Hospital—Pathways, 2022).

A treatment strategy that actually works.

A) Fix the driver

• Diabetes: optimize glucose, blood pressure, and lipids.

• Autoimmune/inflammatory: specialist-guided therapy.

• Deficiencies: replete B12, vitamin E, and others when low.

• Post-infectious/SIBO: treat and re-test as appropriate.
  (Azpiroz & Malagelada, 2016; NIDDK; Camilleri, 2021; Carlotta et al., 2018.)

B) Calm the symptoms

• Gastroparesis: small, more frequent meals; softer textures; more liquids; lower fat/fiber during flares; appropriate prokinetics/anti-nausea meds (Stanford Health Care; Azpiroz & Malagelada, 2016).

• Constipation: fluids; fiber as tolerated; osmotic laxatives; short-term stimulant agents; pelvic-floor retraining if outlet dysfunction (NIDDK).

• Diarrhea: hydration/electrolytes; antidiarrheals when appropriate; evaluate for malabsorption/SIBO (Camilleri, 2021).

• Bloating/pain: trigger review, gentle movement, breathing drills; targeted medications per clinician.

C) Restore function (the often-missed step)

• 5–10 minutes of easy walking after meals to improve gas transit.

• Breathing practice (quiet nasal, low-tension diaphragmatic) to lower sympathetic overdrive and abdominal wall guarding.

• Sleep/stress routines to steady autonomic tone.

Where chiropractic science fits—supporting, not substituting

Chiropractic care does not claim to cure enteric/autonomic neuropathies. It supports the medical plan by reducing mechanical loads and stress signals that often magnify GI symptoms. In an integrative pathway, chiropractic focuses on:

1. Thoracic & rib mobility

   • Gentle manipulation/mobilization can restore rib excursion and thoracic rotation, improving diaphragm mechanics and reducing abdominal wall tension. Patients often tolerate meals and upright tasks better when ribcage motion improves.

2. Diaphragm-abdominal wall-pelvic floor synergy

   • Soft-tissue work for paraspinals, costal margins, psoas/hip flexors, and lateral abdominal wall reduces excessive intra-abdominal pressure in sensitive periods. Cue low-tension exhale and lateral rib expansion during drills.

3. Posture & core endurance

   • Rather than “bracing hard,” emphasize endurance-based trunk control (short holds, many rests). This reduces guarding that can aggravate reflux, bloating, or meal intolerance.

4. Graded activity

   • Progress from short post-meal walks to modest aerobic sessions on “good” days. Keep soreness rules simple: next-day symptoms guide progressions.

5. Outcome tracking

   • Track practical markers: meal size tolerated, daily step count, time-to-bloat during quiet breathing, bowel pattern regularity, and return-to-task tolerance. This keeps care accountable and coordinated with GI/primary teams.

Why this matters scientifically: ENS function is influenced by local mechanics, immune tone, and barrier integrity. While chiropractic targets the mechanical layer, it can lower nociception and sympathetic drive that worsen dysmotility—without making unsupported claims about altering ENS pathology (Camilleri, 2021; Patankar et al., 2025).

A template pathway for integrative clinics

1. Triage & red flags (bleeding, persistent vomiting, rapid weight loss, severe dehydration).

2. Coordinate testing (A1c, B12, etc.; motility/autonomic studies when indicated).

3. Set dual goals: (a) cause-level medical plan; (b) functional plan (mobility, breathing, endurance).

4. Build the week: small meals, hydration strategy, 5–10 minute post-meal walks, 5-minute breath practice twice daily, two short strength sessions.

5. Reassess every 2–4 weeks: progress markers and flare triggers; adjust loading, meal texture, and sleep/stress habits.

6. Document clearly: objective measures (ROM, walking minutes, rate-of-perceived bloating), subjective scales, and test results.

When to escalate care urgently

• Vomiting that won’t stop, signs of dehydration, or inability to keep liquids down

• Black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or rapid unintentional weight loss

• Severe dizziness/fainting on standing (possible serious autonomic involvement)
  (NIDDK; Stanford Health Care.)

Bottom line

Gut neuropathies are real and manageable. The winning formula is simple but disciplined: treat the driver, calm the symptoms, and rebuild function with coordinated medical and biomechanics-informed care. Chiropractic fits as a supportive pillar—reducing mechanical strain and stress reactivity—so patients can better follow GI treatment, tolerate meals, and return to daily life.

References

Azpiroz, F., & Malagelada, C. (2016). Diabetic neuropathy in the gut: Pathogenesis and diagnosis. Diabetologia, 59(3), 404–408.

Camilleri, M. (2021). Gastrointestinal motility disorders in neurologic disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Carlotta, S., et al. (2018). Peripheral neuropathy and gastroenterologic disorders. Acta Bio Medica.

Massachusetts General Hospital—Pathways Case Record Team. (2022). Small fiber neuropathy and recurrent GI infections. Advances in Motion.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Autonomic neuropathy.

Patankar, J. V., et al. (2025). Enteric glia in intestinal homeostasis (Editorial). Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.

Stanford Health Care. (n.d.). Autonomic neuropathy: Gastrointestinal symptoms.

United European Gastroenterology Journal (2024). Small intestine dysfunction & small-bowel dysmotility. UEGJ Review.

Piedmont Healthcare. (n.d.). The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy.

AdvPainMD. (2025). The link between digestion problems and neuropathy.