Nerve Stimulation Device Restores Woman's Health After Decades of Autoimmune Battles

As of November 2025, a groundbreaking discovery about the vagus nerve is transforming the treatment of chronic illnesses. In 2017, a 29-year-old woman named Kelly Owens, who had battled Crohn's disease and inflammatory arthritis since age 13, received a life-changing treatment that restored her health.

For over 15 years, Owens had been hospitalized repeatedly and relied on powerful steroids to manage her debilitating symptoms, which included severe pain, fatigue, and digestive issues. However, the long-term use of these drugs led to the development of osteoporosis in her late 20s. Owens had to give up her career as a teacher as her condition worsened, with her legs becoming so swollen that her husband had to carry her.

The breakthrough came when Owens connected with neurosurgeon Dr. Kevin Tracey, a world expert on the vagus nerve. Tracey's research had revealed that the vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the body, plays a crucial role in regulating the immune system and inflammation. By implanting a small device near Owens' collarbone to stimulate her vagus nerve, Tracey was able to significantly reduce her inflammation and symptoms within weeks.

Owens' remarkable recovery, which included being able to walk without a cane and becoming steroid-free, has highlighted the potential of vagus nerve stimulation to treat a wide range of chronic conditions, from autoimmune diseases to digestive issues and even weight management. As Tracey's work continues to gain recognition, the future of medicine may lie in targeting the vagus nerve rather than just treating symptoms with drugs.