The “wanderer”
You already know that the Vagus Nerve is my (Dr. T) FAVORITE nerve
The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the autonomic nervous system, and for this reason is often called the “wanderer.” It travels into many regions of the head and neck, to the stomach, small and large intestines, to the lungs, the heart, and much more. There isn’t much that this nerve doesn’t do within the body. It plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and emotional responses. It works by serving as a bi-directional communication pathway between the brain and the body, influencing mood, stress levels, and emotional well-being. It even controls a lot of our immune and gut health.
One of the coolest things about what we do at Calumet County Chiropractic is that we have the ability to influence how the Vagus Nerve functions for YOU! Here’s how:
Optimal Brain-Body Communication: Chiropractic care enhances the communication between the brain and the body by removing nerve inferences along the spine. This improved neural connectivity can positively impact emotional regulation, as the vagus nerve plays a key role in transmitting signals between the brain's emotional centers and the rest of the body.
Reduced Stress Levels: Nervous-system based chiropractic improves the part of the nervous system called the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” function of the body. Rest being the key here, that when the stress and tension is removed from the nervous system, it calms the “fight or flight” and increases the “rest and digest” responses of the body. By calming the nervous system, chiropractic care indirectly supports vagal tone, the measure of vagus nerve activity.
Enhancing Vagal Tone: Think day-to-day living – the common stresses of work, running errands, losing sleep, not eating the best. Vagal tone refers to the activity of the vagus nerve and is associated with better emotional regulation, resilience to stress, and overall well-being. Research suggests that chiropractic care may help improve vagal tone by promoting optimal nervous system function, leading to better emotional health and stress resilience. This is one of the main reasons that we are a WELLNESS based practice and not a symptomatic based chiropractic office. We want your body to function optimally in the day-to-day, not just to get out of pain.
Incorporating consistent chiropractic care into your weekly wellness routine may help individuals better manage stress, regulate emotions, and experience greater mental and emotional balance.
If you are ready to see how your body can benefit from a better function Vagus Nerve, we would love to have a consultation with you to see how we might be able to help!
