abstract |
Described herein are devices, systems and method for treating inflammatory disorders by modulating a subject's inflammatory reflex. The method may include the step of non-invasively stimulating the inflammatory reflex (e.g., the vagus nerve, the splenic nerve, the hepatic nerve, the facial nerve, and the trigeminal nerve) of a subject in a manner which significantly reduces proinflammatory cytokines in the subject and/or provides a therapeutically effective treatment for the subject. Devices for non-invasively stimulating the inflammatory reflex may include a movable tip or actuator that is controlled to mechanically stimulate the ear. The devices may be hand-held or wearable, and may stimulate the cymba conchae region of the subject's ear. |