#olfactory nerve

The Brain-Eating Amoeba Naegleria Fowleri

The unofficial end to summer is upon us and as we round the corner heading into Labor Day weekend, perhaps you will be interested in reading this post about the brain-eating amoeba that lives and lurks in our waterways, as told to you by 17-yr. old Janelle Fletcher, or Nelly, as her friends call her, “a fan of horror, thriller, and old scary movies,” which is probably why Naegleria fowleri…

I Cranial Nerve – Olfactory Nerve

These are derived from the central processes of the bipolar olfactory neurons. Olfactory neurons are situated in the olfactory zone of the nasal mucous membrane. The peripheral processes of olfactory cells appears at the surface as the sensitive olfactory hairs from knob like elevation. These respond to volatile, water-soluble and lipid soluble odorous chemical substance. I Cranial Nerve –…

What is E-STIM?  It sends mild electrical pulses through the skin to help stimulate injured muscles or manipulate nerves to reduce pain. 

I read an article by Dr. Eric Holbrook, who I have mentioned in an earlier post, that talks about using a type of e-stim for anosmia.  So I asked my acupuncturist, Chris, if we could try it.  She said, why not?!  So at my next session, after some research on her part, we gave it a try.  

Chris connected select needles to the TENS Unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).  Some were connected near my olfactory bulb, others in my ear, etc. 

Chris would turn up the pulse of the TENS just enough so I could feel it in the needles.  I found the entire 45 minute sessions to be so relaxing that I looked forward to them every week.  I tried to go at least 2-3 times per week. 

After each session I would get home and start my smell training right away!  I saw small signs, albeit they didn’t last long, that this was having a positive affect on olfactory nerves.  Or at least that was my HOPE!