Sacrum

• The transaction includes all cervical and lumbar fusion products, including the STALIF® technology platform
  FRAUENFELD, Switzerland, Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Silony Medical International AG (the company), a growing challenger to "big medtech" in the global spinal fusion market, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Centinel Spine's Global Fusion Business.
• This combines Silony's Verticale® posterior screw & rod fusion System, its Roccia® and Favo® Interbody Fusion (IBF) Systems with the STALIF® Technology Platform to create a first in class occiput to sacrum, posterior, lateral and anterior Spinal Fusion Portfolio for open & minimally invasive spinal fusion cases.
• "Adding Centinel's Fusion Products to Silony's portfolio significantly strengthens our technological and geographic footprint, without cannibalizing products and sales regions" said Silony CEO Constantin Schoen.
• Silony is committed to successful long-term relationships, and we look forward to continuing to work with the established STALIF® distributor, surgeon and hospital partners around the world.

• In fact, we have two vagus nerves – a left and a right – and their optimal functioning is essential for good physical and mental health.
• Many social media posts describe ways to reset the vagus nerves to reduce stress and increase calm.
• But the vagus nerves also play a part in why socialising, sex and sports are good for our health and wellbeing.

Our rest-and-digest-and-restore system

• The vagus nerves are part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which does the opposite: rest, digest and restore.
• The sympathetic nervous system increases heart and breathing rates, slows down digestion and lowers the immune response.
• The parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerves is the counterbalance to our stress response.

The wandering nerve

• Vagus means wandering in Latin and is where the words vagrant, vagabond and vague come from.
• These are the tenth cranial nerves, the longest of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that connect the brainstem and the body.
• However, about 80% of vagus nerve fibres carry information from organs back to our brain.

Can you measure the health of vagus nerves?

• Instead, heart-rate variability is used as a surrogate measure of vagus nerve activity.
• This is the slight beat-to-beat differences in heart rate that occur naturally, related to breathing.
• Many wearable devices measure heart rate and heart-rate variability and can be a useful way to monitor vagal tone.

So is there any science to back the vagal nerve hacks online?

• Cold-water immersion on the face or neck stimulates the vagus nerves via a reflex of the skin’s nerves.
• Singing and humming can increase our vagal tone because the vagus nerve innervates our larynx (voicebox).
• There are also claims simple eye movements can reset the vagus nerve.
• Carotid sinus massage can also be used clinically to increase vagus nerve activation and lower a high heart rate.

Social connection and feeling safe

Polyvagal theory suggests positive social communication and feeling safe increases vagus nerve activity. This promotes healthy growth and restoration activities in our body and increases positive emotions. The vagus nerves have a role in social communication because they are linked with our facial expressions and voice. Smiling and being smiled at can stimulate our vagus nerves.

Sport, sex and slowing down

• Slowing down with others, such as lying down next to a friend on a picnic blanket and looking at the clouds, also stimulates the vagus nerves.
• Whether it’s through mindfulness, paced breathing, sports, sex or simply smiling, increased vagal tone is important for good health and wellbeing.
• Read more:
  Forget nose spray, good sex clears a stuffy nose just as effectively — and is a lot more fun

• If you’ve been on social media recently you might have noticed sponsored posts and ads for a variety of small, portable electrical devices.
• These claim to manage period or endometriosis pain safely and without drugs.
• Most devices have a small box that generates an electrical pulse, and wires connected to sticky pads, which go on your tummy.

They’re mini TENS machines

• These devices use “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation”, better known as TENS.
• TENS machines are not new.
• Half of people with period pain say over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen doesn’t get rid of their period pain.

How might TENS work?

• These pulses are transmitted through the surface of the skin via the sticky pads.
• So for period pain that’s usually at or below the level of the belly button but above the pubic region.

Here’s what we know so far

• First, we need to first talk about different types of nerves.
• Nociceptors are nerves that send “danger” impulses about actual or potential tissue damage.
• The gate control theory of pain says the spinal cord has “gates” that can be open or closed.
• TENS machines, especially at high frequency (greater than 50 pulses per second), tend to stimulate sensory nerves (the ones in your skin).

So does TENS work?

• There was a significant reduction in period pain when high-frequency TENS (more than 50 pulses per second) was compared to sham TENS (where the machine looks the same but doesn’t deliver a pulse).
• There is only one study of TENS for pelvic pain due to endometriosis.
• So we need larger studies with a proper control group before we can be sure if TENS works for endometriosis pain.

Is it safe?

Most studies report no side effects when the pads are used on the abdomen or lower spine. However, if you turn up the intensity too high it can be uncomfortable. You could also get a rash from the adhesive on the pads.

Read more:
First periods can come as a shock. 5 ways to support your kid when they get theirs

Which one to buy?

• If you are going to use the device occasionally (less than 4-5 days per month) you may just need a device that allows you to change the intensity.
• To get the best relief, the machine should be turned up high enough so it delivers noticeable pulses, but is not painful.
• For period pain, high frequency (more than 50 pulses per second) shows better results than low frequency (usually 2-5 pulses per second).
• So make sure the device you’re thinking of buying is either set to a high frequency or you can change the frequency.

• Carlsbad, Calif., April 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aurora Spine Corporation (“Aurora Spine” or the “Company”) (TSXV:ASG) (OTCQB: ASAPF), a designer and manufacturer of innovative medical devices that improve spinal surgery outcomes, today announced that it will be attending the 2023 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting.
• The meeting will be held at April 21-24, 2023, at the Los Angeles Convention Center – Booth #1011.
• At this year’s AANS event, Aurora Spine will be highlighting its product line, including DEXA-C™, a cervical cage for anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) procedures.
• The SiLO TFX MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System includes a Transfixing-Cone, an ilium screw, a sacrum screw and associated instrumentation.