TREATING THE

Treating The Vagus Nerve

by Jean Read

The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial by the vagus nerve is acetylcholine, which nerve in the body, but also one of the has a major anti-inflammatory effect in the longest and most important nerves body. Therefore, one of the most important within the body. This nerve has many funcfunctions of the vagus nerve is managing tions and influences our behaviors, digesthe inflammatory systems of the body. If tion, vocal pitch, swallowing, heart rate, the vagus nerve begins to malfunction, then breathing rate, detoxification of the liver and inflammation in the body reaches higher kidneys, gall bladder function, saliva and than normal levels and can become chronsweat production, sexual arousal and more. ic. Common conditions that correlate to While 20 percent of the nerve’s function is to long term, high inflammatory levels include carry signals from the brain to the body, 80 Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, canpercent of its function is to carry informacer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high tion from the body back to the brain. blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, gallstones,

The major neurotransmitter utilized Parkinson’s disease and more.

There are three main problems that can occur to cause vagus nerve dysfunction: dysfunctional signaling from brain to body; dysfunctional signaling from body to brain; and damage to the vagus nerve via physical, mental or emotional trauma or chronic state of stress.

The following mechanisms can lead to a dysfunctional vagus nerve: dysfunctional breathing (not using diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing and dysfunctional airways), dysfunctional digestive sequence (causing diarrhea or constipation, SIBO, poor dietary choices, herbicides and pesticides on our foods, poor satiety reflex, poor microbiome, leaky gut) dysfunctional heart rate, poor liver function, poor sleep and circadian rhythm and lack of social interactions.

For those who feel they might have a dysfunctional vagus nerve, there are several exercises that can be done to help improve vagal nerve tone. First, learn some deep, abdominal breathing techniques and do them often through the day or when stress levels are high. Start exposing the body to cold by ending showers with one minute of cold water; over time, extend to several minutes with good abdominal breathing. Chanting, humming, singing and gargling also activate the vagus nerve and often bring us into a state of calm (parasympathetic norm). Yoga, Pilates and meditation help teach us to focus and calm the mind and regulate our breathing. Laughter and fun social gatherings help improve our mood and heart rate variability and normalize our breathing patterns.

Other treatments that may help include: getting a monthly massage or body work; receiving visceral manipulation to the vagus nerve itself and the innervating organs within the abdomen and chest; chiropractic care; and special electrical stimulation units.

Jean Read is a physical therapist that has been trained in treatment of the vagus nerve using visceral manipulation and refined techniques. Connect at 956-566-5443. See ad, page 19.

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