Fascia and the Vagus Nerve
One powerful, often unknown tool to heal your mind, gut and body is to fix your vagus nerve. The vagus nerve has a profound influence on your overall health both physically and mentally. Because of chronic stress, trauma, injury, postural distortions or fascial restrictions your vagus nerve might not be functioning properly and therefore keeping you from healing and being your optimal self.
The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve which stretches from our brainstem and travels down the neck on both sides to our abdomen. It has important roles in regulating our nervous system, digestion, heart health, mood, immune system and cognitive system.
A healthy vagus nerve will prevent excessive inflammation and support your body to fight off infections and heal from injuries. It will help buffer the effects of stress and trauma and regulate our emotional responses as it supports safety and survival. It will help regulate our mood and reduce anxiety, depression and stress. A healthy vagus nerve will help regulate heart rate and blood pressure, will help with digestion by stimulating the production of stomach acid and the movement of food through the digestive tract.
So where does fascia come into the story of the vagus nerve? How is it connected? Your vagus nerve like all tissues and nerves in your body is enclosed in fascia. Healthy fascia protects and promotes the health of the vagus nerve. Fascial restrictions or adhesions can exert excessive pressure and compress the vagus nerve impacting its function.
If there is congestion in the lymphatic system in the neck or downstream in the body, it will impact the fascia and vagus nerve. Fascia release helps drain the lymphatic system and releases adhesions and restrictions. By targeting restricted fascia, myofascial release can directly impact the vagus nerve’s function. Research suggests that myofascial release techniques can stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting activation and restoring balance to the autonomic nervous system. This can help shift the body out of the fight or flight response and into a state of relaxation, reducing the negative effects of chronic stress and promoting overall well-being.
Other ways to hack your vagus nerve and help it’s function:
If you want to hack your vagus nerve and calm down take a deep breath out. Exhaling stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. 90% of parasympathetic fibers derive from the vagus nerve.
Abdominal massage is good for the vagus nerve.
Humming stimulates the vagus nerve. The vibrations that humming creates stimulate the nerve acting as a gentle massage for it.
Relieving chronic stress, which disrupts the vagus nerve, through walks in nature, sunlight, grounding, massage, meditation, yoga, exercise, breathing techniques, sauna.
