Vagus Nerve- Part 3- Treatment Options for Vagus Nerve Dysfunction: Restoring balance to the Autonomic Nervous System
- lisa039464
- Jan 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 7
There are many alternative treatment options for Vagus Nerve Dysfunction, including osteopathic manual physical therapy. In fact, physical therapy nerve manipulation can make a huge impact on vagus nerve dysfunction.
Summary from Parts 1 & 2
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) balances the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) responses to help the body adapt to changing situations.
In a healthy state, the ANS moves fluidly between rest and action. However, dysfunction can cause the body to become stuck in a prolonged “fight or flight” or “freeze” state.
This imbalance can lead to both emotional and physical symptoms, including heart palpitations, blood pressure issues, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, and feelings of being "stuck."
Dysfunction of the vagus nerve, which connects to key organs, can further disrupt processes like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
Outside intervention may be needed to restore a balanced “rest and digest” state, allowing both mind and body to function as designed.
In the previous articles, we explored how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) works and the issues that arise when it’s out of balance. The vagus nerve, which plays a critical role in the parasympathetic nervous system, helps regulate many bodily functions, promoting a relaxed, “rest and digest” state. However, when the vagus nerve becomes stuck in a continuous fight, flight, or freeze state, it may need assistance to return to balance. Here are several treatment approaches that can help restore this balance.
Treatment Approaches for Vagus Nerve Dysregulation
In this article we will highlight a variety of interventions currently being used to correct vagus nerve dysregulation. These are just a few of many options that a treatment plan may include.
We will separate them in the basic categories:
Medical Approaches
Cognitive Approaches
Physical/Somatic Approaches
Medical Approaches
Medications: Medications such as anti-convulsant or antidepressants may be used to help regulate nerve function and pain or mood disturbances associated with vagus nerve conditions.
Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS): Vagus nerve stimulators are surgically implanted devices that deliver electrical impulses to the vagus nerve to promote more of a “rest and digest” state. These are often used to treat epilepsy, depression and other mood disorders.
Lifestyle Modifications: While these interventions are more indirect, physicians or physical therapists may advised making lifestyle changes such as managing stress, regular exercise, and a healthy diet to help support overall nerve health and reduce symptoms associated with vagus nerve disorders.
Cognitive Approaches
These traditional therapies for vagus nerve address issues “from the brain down” and can improve vagal tone and decrease stress. They are often used in conjunction with other interventions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Coaching, and Positive Psychology can help clients manage anxiety and help correct negative thought patterns. They can help clients generate positive feelings, gratitude, and create plans for forward movement. These treatments can be very effective, but often take a long time, and a lot of consistent work for long term results to be experienced.
Guided Imagery and Visualization, such as Body Mapping, can induce relaxation and activate the vagus nerve.
Brain & Amygdala Retraining Programs such as The Gupta Program, Primal Trust, DNRS focus on reducing the chronic over activity of the limbic system and amygdala. These often take place over the course of several months to a year and involve regular online group coaching sessions with self directed activities between sessions. While their goals are similar, each program may be conducted quite differently.
Biofeedback methods, such as Heart Math can focus on reducing stress and stimulating the vagus nerve to regulate heart rate and heart rate variability. This, in turn, can have a number of positive physiologic effects related to vagus nerve function.
Brain Integration Technique (BIT): BIT, an alternative medicine technique, decreases stress on the nervous system, including the vagus nerve, in order to improve cognitive function and emotional well-being. Many brain areas are addressed- including the ANS and Vagus Nerve. This works to identify imbalances and brain “glitches in order to optimize body/brain function by relieving cognitive and nervous system stress, and promote neural integration.
Somatic/Physical Approaches
Physical Therapy Manual Treatment for Vagus Nerve: This approach is unique in that it physically addresses the nerve at the points where it connects to various body organs. The therapist performs gentle manual releases to the nerve in order free it of any restrictions along its path.
Because a primary function of the vagus nerve is to bring messages from the body up to the brain, there can be excellent results in treating the nerve itself using manual techniques. These techniques- called neural manipulation and visceral manipulation- reduce physical tension on the nerve and allow the body to give more accurate information to the brain so that it can better direct physiologic activity.
Breath Work: Deep breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing or paced breathing, can stimulate the vagus nerve's relaxation response, promoting a sense of calmness and reducing anxiety.
Yoga, Tai Chi: Mind-body practices like yoga and Tai Chi incorporate elements of physical movement, breathing exercises, and mindfulness. These practices have been shown to increase vagal tone and improve overall autonomic nervous system function
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This technique involves systematically tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body. By promoting physical relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce emotional stress and stimulate the vagus nerve's relaxation response.
Vagus Nerve Self-Stimulation Exercises: This includes a variety of activities and techniques that people can do themselves as needed or as part of a daily routine. They can be helpful in supporting a professionally directed treatment strategy. This topic will be discussed in more detail in the next article: Vagus Nerve Series- Part 4- Vagus Nerve Activities.
Vagus Nerve Treatment Success Stories at McKinney Physical Therapy
The vagus nerve runs from the base of the spine to the pelvis, branching out to various organs. When compressed along its path, it can cause disruptions in the body’s communication, leading to a “freeze mode.” Physical therapy targeting these areas of compression can help restore proper nerve function.
At McKinney Physical Therapy, we’ve seen remarkable results using manual therapy to treat vagus nerve dysfunction:
A 44-year-old woman experienced heart palpitations, digestive issues, and anxiety after receiving the COVID vaccine. After vagus nerve treatment, her symptoms improved significantly.
A 55-year-old man came in for knee pain, but treatment revealed vagus nerve restrictions. After therapy, his knee range of motion improved, and he noticed a dramatic reduction in sleep apnea episodes.
A 50-year-old woman struggled with asthma following COVID. After a single session of vagus nerve treatment, she returned to mountain biking and hasn’t needed her inhaler for over six months.
These cases demonstrate how addressing vagus nerve dysfunction through manual therapy can lead to significant physical and emotional improvements.
Are you struggling with Vagus Nerve difficulties? We would love to hear form you and see how we can help!
RESOURCES
Hayden, Wendy. The Vagus Nerve Gut Brain Connection: Heal your Vagus Nerve and Improve Gut Health. 2021.
Park, Yumi. Unleash Your Vagus Nerve. Stimulate Your Vagal Tone and Activate Its Healing Power with Daily Exercises to overcome Anxiety, Depression, Inflammation, Autoimmunity, Brain Fog, and Gut Sensitivities. 2022.
Rosenberg, S; Shield; B, Porges, S. Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism. North Atlantic Books, 2017.
Weller, Melanie. The Vitality Code: Vagus Nerve Activation. 2018, 2020. Professional continuing education course. https://www.melanieweller.com/
Weller, Melanie. The Vagus Nerve Decompression Course. September 2022. Professional continuing education course. https://www.melanieweller.com/
