Nerve Stimulation Therapy (NST) devices use a sophisticated electrical pulse generator that is applied to the underside of the wrist where it emits specifically programmed electrical impulses to stimulate the median nerves. These generated impulses, specific in waveform, frequency and intensity travel via the central nervous system to the higher control center in the brain. Once there they are thought to positively modulate the anti-nausea and vomiting feedback mechanisms and neural control pathways.
It is in the higher emetic centers of the brain that the pulses are believed to have a “re-balancing” effect that helps by ultimately restoring gastric rhythms back to normal via vagus nerve modulation. By positively modulating these signals sent by multiple biological and physical pathways and by regulating the vagus nerve, the resulting clinical outcome is a reduction in gastric dysrhythmia which results in the relief of emesis.
As is the case with many modern pharmaceuticals, the exact mechanism of how NST™ causes the relief of emesis is not completely understood, though several theories have been proposed. This is partially because the science of Emesis is a complex process dependent on numerous different pathways and mechanisms of action-physical, chemical and biological.
Scientists do know that the electrical pulses applied to the various nerve innervations points, including the median nerve on the wrist can cause those nerves to transmit messages into the body’s central nervous system, in effect, causing a modification of their signals for the benefit of the recipient.
Some researchers theorize that the nerve messages penetrate specific areas in the spinal cord and brain and interfere with nerve processes key to producing nausea and vomiting. Another theory holds that this interference occurs through the production of certain neuro-transmitters and the chemicals responsible for communication between nerve cells.
For other clinical pathways it is proposed that the NST device stimulus causes the release of endogenous endorphins – the chemicals responsible for a variety of key processes in the body. When released in response to nerve stimulation, the endorphins have the effect of blocking nausea and vomiting symptoms.
