Stresses from physical, chemical and emotions affect the gut and brain function and the vagus nerve is a huge player in these affects. These stresses can put the body into a dominant sympathetic state, which is the fight, flight or freeze side of the nervous system and not the healing, resting and digesting side of the nervous system. You may have heard that the gut is the second brain in your body. The vagus nerve is that connection between the brain and your gut. The vagus nerve is critical to homeostasis in the body and optimal health!
Research shows “evidence exists to support that the vagus nerve inhibits all three major disease-promoting biological factors.
First, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reduces oxidative stress.
Second, the vagus plays a key neuro-immune mediator and modulator between peripheral immune signals and the brain.
Third, activity of the vagus nerve, being a major part of the parasympathetic nerve system, inhibits sympathetic activity. An important parasympathetic role of the vagus is vasodilation.” (source)
Studies have also been done implanting a device in the neck to stimulate the vagus nerve. Researchers see how important the vagus nerve function is. But there are ways to stimulate the vagus nerve without surgical intervention. We use advanced computer technology in our office to see how well balanced the nervous system is to help provide a whole body approach to healing. Addressing the nervous system is the foundation of our approach to helping the body heal.