Importance of Vagus Nerve
Our nervous system is a complex and very intrinsic system in which two different systems underlying their functions. We have the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems. Both are equally important with "roughly speaking" opposites functions. The sympathetic system is in charge of awareness, “ a fight” reaction. Explode in energy and in constriction of different areas to endure stressful situations. Due to our current lifestyle, it will be common to say that most of the people are running in sympathetic overdrive, promoting significant changes to multiple levels and undoubtedly affecting other systems and organs. The parasympathetic system as the word says: “stop/ diminish/control” the sympathetic system. In almost an antithesis way opposed to the sympathetic system function. It is in charge of the “flight” response. And as previously mentioned, in today’s society, I feel safe to say that we as a population are running in oppression or deficient in parasympathetic response. So let's emphasize today’s discussion in depth on this important nerve.
One of the most important nerve carrying fibers of the parasympathetic response system is the vagus nerve or cranial nerve (CN) X. This nerve is very peculiar because it starts in a part of the brain and makes its way bilaterally to all the visceral organs. In theory, incapacity of the nerve to function appropriately will generate malfunctions in organs like heart, lungs, liver, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, etc.
Now, it is important to establish a difference between a damaged (disease) organ and a dysfunctional organ. Our current health system is designed to promote disease care. Most of their efforts are to try to correct totally imbalanced or out of range situations inside the homeostatic balance of the human body. But what happened before we got to that step? That's what most of the functional oriented doctors are trying to catch. Good functionality will depend on monitoring the performance of the different organs (alone and in conjunction) on certain processes. It is a complex task that involves a spectrum of different variants and indicators.
Although, as we mention at the beginning of this, hopefully not so long article, stress decreases or suppresses the parasympathetic nervous system as a result it will reflect in a dysfunction of the vagus nerve that as a result it will affect the dependent organs.
Based on those statements, it will be wise to directly or indirectly support the parasympathetic nervous system or stimulate the vagus nerve. And there's some good ways to stimulate that nerve.
Stimulation of the Vagus nerve
1. Breathing. It is said that one of the first things that we lose as we grow is our ability of appropriate breathing. “Belly Breathing” is one of the best ways to stimulate vagal response. Two important factors in “belly breathing” is that the thoracic cavity should be as immovable as possible during inhalation and the diaphragm should move lower like pushing the air deep or lower. Due to the importance of other methods for vagus nerve stimulation, we will talk more about this breathing method and all the benefits it has in a future article.
2. Transcutaneous microcurrent stimulation. It has been found that an electric impulse of a micro-level in a specific point, where the vagus nerve pathway becomes more superficial (at the Tragus portion of your ear (left), will generate a favorable response from the Vagus Nerve.
3. Chiropractic Care- Chiropractic care will firstly, clear any restriction in joints that can perish the nerve functions and if it has the knowledge of CMRT, a chiropractic technique that will use accupressure to release tension along reflex points associates with organs and even direct massage to the organs and muscles like diaphragm which will free your body of restrictions that affect directly or indirectly the performance of the Vagus Nerve.
In conclusion, incapacity of the vagus nerve to function appropriately will results in serious issues that will affect multiple organs and multiple system in your body. Simple steps, like the ones explain in this article, will help to reduce, control o even correct the issues associates to the nerve.