Understanding the Power of Your Vagus Nerve: Chiropractor Prior Lake

Your body’s nervous system is incredibly complex - trillions of nerves are involved in virtually every function. The brain and central nervous system controls everything, sending neurological impulses through nerves to other parts of the body. Out of the trillions of nerves that you have, the vagus nerve is one that is incredibly important and affects several critical functions.

Sets the tone for your Parasympathetic Nervous System

We have two parts to the autonomic nervous system - sympathetics and parasympathetics. They act like a see-saw. When one goes up, the other gets suppressed. And vice versa. The sympathetic part is our “fight or flight” - this will cause our blood pressure to go up, blood rush to our muscles, the heart rate will go up. Essentially, everything is done for us to either engage in fighting or running away. On the opposite side, the parasympathetic nervous system is our “rest and digest function.” The Parasympathetics get activated when we are digesting food, relaxing, or sexually aroused. The vagus nerve directly overlooks and controls the Parasympathetic nerves. This results in a direct impact on control of mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate.

Brain Gut Axis

Also known as the “wandering nerve” (Latin), the vagus nerve originates in our brain stem (upper neck) and makes its way all the way down to the colon. Damage or stress to the vagus nerve will directly impact virtually every component of our digestive system. This may results in bloating, constipation, diarrhea and other digestive issues.

The vagus nerve does not travel in a typical manner down the spinal cord and through a nerve root. It has direct communication with our gut - a direct line with no middlemen. This is why the gut is also known as the “second brain.” Research has shown that the vagus nerve has connections to dealing with stress, anxiety, and fear. Currently, cutting-edge medical procedures as utilized by the Mayo Clinic implant vagal nerve stimulators for treatment of depression, epilepsy and other conditions. Many times when we feel these emotions, it comes as a “gut feeling.”

Deeper Breathing

The vagus nerve also communicates with the diaphragm. The vagus nerve brings out a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which tells your lungs to breathe without you having to think about it. When our lungs and diaphragm is functioning well, this will allow us to take deeper breaths. With deep breaths, a person feels more relaxed. On top of that, the vagus nerve will help with other parts of the parasympathetic nervous system, further promoting relaxation.

Decreasing Inflammation

The vagus nerve sends an anti-inflammatory signal to other parts of the body. As the vagus nerve realizes the presence of cytokines or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - it alerts the brain. The brain then sends out anti-inflammatory neurotransmitters that help down-regulate the body’s immune response. Inflammation is at the core of all the chronic illnesses that our society is dealing with - heart issues, cancer, strokes, etc. Although nutritional tools such as fish oils can help, it is much more powerful to address the inflammation on a neurological level.

Lowering the Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

The vagus nerve sets the heart rate and the blood pressure in the body. A healthy vagus nerve will stimulate the muscles of the heart, which will cause a lower heart rate. If the vagus nerve is overworked, it can lead to the heart being unable to pump enough blood around the body. In some cases, a stressed out vagus nerve can lead to more serious conditions such as organ damage.

Vagus Nerve Problems

Our body requires balance (homeostasis). Due to the copious amounts of stress that we face each and every day, most of us spend a tremendous amount of time in the sympathetic part of the nervous system. We are bombarded with choices, crisis situations, and we are stressed out way too often. The vagus nerve does it best to have the parasympathetic nervous system to keep up. It gets stimulated over and over again to help bring us out of the sympathetic state of fight or flight. However, over time the vagus nerve can get damaged or stressed. Because the vagus nerve is so long and affects so many different body parts and functions, vagus nerve problems can cause many different issues.

Vagus nerve damage and stress symptoms

1. Problems with speech, loss of voice, trouble drinking liquids, and loss of the gag reflex

2. Pain in the ear

3. Abnormal or unusual heart rate

4. Abnormal or unusual blood pressure

5. Digestive issues

6. Nausea or vomiting

7. Stress and anxiety

8. Depression and poor mood

9. Epilepsy

Vagal Nerve Solutions

The vagus nerve is truly a new field of medicine. Scientist and researchers are realizing how powerful and far-reaching the effects of the vagus nerve truly are. Even though we are dealing with more and more stress every day, the vagus nerve is our own superpower that helps bring us back to homeostasis. There are several powerful tools that we can use to keep our vagus nerve functioning well.

1. Breathing exercises. Taking slow inhales and exhales - about 4 per minute. Breathe with your abdomen, and try to exhale longer than you inhale.

2. Eating fiber. This stimulates vagal impulses to the brain which slows the gut movements which helps us with digestion.

3. Laughter. Truly the best medicine and also helps stimulate the vagus nerve.

4. Singing. This activates the vagus nerve as it runs through the throat.

5. Yoga. This is great for overall mental and physical health and also stimulates the vagus nerve.

6. Chiropractic. This is one of the most powerful natural ways to unleash the power of the vagus nerve. Due to modern lifestyles of excessive sitting, driving, and mobile device use, many of us are dealing with neck tightness and pain. One of the most common reasons for vagus nerve damage is misalignment in the bones of the upper neck.

   As an upper cervical specialist, Dr. Sharikov is able to directly influence the brainstem and the neurology of the vagus nerve. At Chirohouse, we pride ourselves in being extremely specific in our adjustments to help you achieve results better and faster. Call today for a consult and vagus nerve examination!