What Does the Vagus Nerve Control?

The vagus nerve is a key player in the autonomic nervous system, particularly in the parasympathetic branch, which is responsible for the “rest and digest” functions of the body. Some of its major roles include:

• Regulating Heart Rate – The vagus nerve helps maintain a steady and healthy heart rhythm.

• Supporting Digestion – It controls peristalsis (the movement of food through the digestive tract) and the release of digestive enzymes.

• Reducing Inflammation – It plays a role in the body's anti-inflammatory response.

• Affecting Mental Health – The vagus nerve is linked to mood regulation and stress response, impacting conditions like anxiety and depression.

• Controlling Reflexes – It assists with reflex actions like swallowing, coughing, and sneezing.

• Regulating Breathing – It helps maintain proper respiration by influencing the diaphragm.

Signs and Symptoms of Vagus Nerve Dysfunction

When the vagus nerve is not functioning properly, it can result in a variety of symptoms, including:

• Digestive issues (IBS, bloating, constipation, acid reflux)

• Increased heart rate or irregular heart rhythms

• Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction

• Difficulty swallowing or loss of gag reflex

• Dizziness and fainting

• Chronic stress, anxiety, or depression

• Sleep disturbances and fatigue

These symptoms can significantly impact daily life, but many people don’t realise that their vagus nerve could be the root cause.

How Upper Cervical Misalignment Affects the Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve originates in the brainstem and passes through the upper cervical spine (C1 and C2 vertebrae, also known as the atlas and axis). If these vertebrae become misaligned due to poor posture, injuries, or chronic stress, they can put pressure on the vagus nerve, leading to dysfunction.

A misalignment in the upper cervical spine can cause:

• Compression or irritation of the vagus nerve, disrupting communication between the brain and body.

• Increased sympathetic nervous system activity, leading to heightened stress response and reduced parasympathetic function.

• Restricted blood flow and nerve signalling, impairing the body's ability to self-regulate and heal.

Chiropractic Care and Vagus Nerve Function

Chiropractic adjustments, particularly in the upper cervical spine, can help alleviate vagus nerve dysfunction by:

• Restoring proper spinal alignment, relieving pressure on the nerve.

• Enhancing nerve communication, allowing the brain to send clear signals to the body.

• Promoting parasympathetic activity, reducing stress and inflammation.

• Improving overall nervous system function, leading to better digestion, heart health, and emotional balance.

Understanding Your Nervous System and Stress Response

Your nervous system is the master control system of your body, influencing everything from digestion to emotional stability. It consists of:

·       The Central Nervous System (CNS): The brain and spinal cord.

·       The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Includes the autonomic nervous system (ANS), responsible for unconscious bodily functions.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two primary branches:

·       Sympathetic Nervous System (The Accelerator) – Triggers the fight-or-flight response.

·       Parasympathetic Nervous System (The Brake) – Helps the body rest, recover, and repair.

In a healthy system, these two branches work in harmony. However, chronic stress pushes us into a state of sympathetic dominance, where fight-or-flight remains activated longer than necessary. Over time, this weakens our ability to regulate energy, digestion, immune function, and emotional balance.

How Neural Organisation Technique (NOT) Helps You Adapt to Stress

Developed by Dr. Carl Ferreri, Neural Organisation Technique (NOT) is a holistic chiropractic approach that integrates:

• Chiropractic spinal care

• Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT)

• Applied Kinesiology (AK)

• Western and Eastern health sciences

• Contemporary neuroscience insights

The goal of NOT is to restore nervous system organisation, allowing your body to efficiently self-regulate and respond to stress. This technique identifies and corrects neural disorganisation caused by unresolved stress from:

• Physical injury (accidents, repetitive strain, poor posture)

• Emotional stress (trauma, anxiety, overwhelm)

• Biochemical challenges (toxins, poor diet, inflammation)

By addressing these stressors, NOT helps reprogram the nervous system, improving the body's ability to switch between stress and relaxation effectively.

The NOT Approach: Identifying and Rebalancing Stress Patterns

NOT practitioners assess spine health and brain function through a series of precise neurological checks. These assessments evaluate how well your nervous system adapts to:

1. Injury & Challenge: How past injuries or stressors continue to affect nervous system function.

2. Postural Distortion & Biomechanical Instability: How imbalances in your spine and muscles create compensatory stress patterns.

3. Daytime vs. Nighttime Function: How your nervous system shifts between alertness and recovery states.

Once dysfunctions are identified, NOT uses low-force corrections to reset these patterns, improving neural communication and allowing for better stress adaptation.

Taking Control of Your Nervous System Health

In a world where stress is constant, Neural Organisation Technique provides a structured way to reset and strengthen your nervous system. By addressing deep-seated stress patterns and improving nervous system regulation, NOT empowers you to move through life with greater ease, resilience, and vitality.

Are you ready to regain control over your stress response and improve your overall well-being? Book a NOT session today and experience the benefits of a well-organised nervous system!

References

1. Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.

2. Schander, A., & Gevirtz, R. (2019). Vagal Nerve Stimulation and the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Depression. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.

3. Pickard, G. E., & Sollars, P. J. (2012). The Autonomic Nervous System and Its Role in Health and Disease. Journal of Physiology.

4. Ferreri, C. (1984). Neural Organization Technique: A Chiropractic Approach to Stress and Trauma. Applied Kinesiology Review.