The Vagus Nerve

Happy Tuesday! Dr. Kelly here. What happens in the Vagus nerve does not stay in the Vagus.

Most people are familiar with the sciatic nerve, but are you familiar with the vagus nerve?

It is the great wanderer and is one of the most important and often overlooked components of your body’s nervous system.

It is a very long nerve. It goes from the back of your head down through the neck and into the chest and abdomen.

It connects the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.

You have heard of the fight or flight response? Well, the vagus nerve is part of the rest and digest response.

Functionally, the vagus nerve is a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest and digest” system.

The vagus nerve helps slow the heart rate, regulate digestion, support immune function, and promote a sense of calm and recovery.

When the vagus nerve is functioning well, you are better equipped to handle stress, reduce inflammation, and maintain overall balance.

With our typical fast paced high stressed world, most people’s body’s are ready to run away from the tiger.

This leads to chronic stress, poor posture, inflammation, injury, and even spinal misalignments!!! All interfering with proper nerve communication.

Left unchecked over time, it may lead to symptoms such as anxiety, digestive issues, fatigue, poor sleep, and even cardiovascular concerns.

This is where we come in.

Adjustments and red and infrared light therapy can play a supportive role.

In the office I focus on restoring proper alignment and movement of the spine.

Misalignments in the top of the neck by the base of your head cause tension or interference in the surrounding tissues and nervous system affecting the vagus nerve.

Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments can help improve spinal function, reduce pressure on nerves, and enhance communication between the brain and body.

After consistent care, patients tell me they feel more relaxed, sleep better, and have better digestion. Those are all signs that the nervous system, including the vagus nerve, is functioning more efficiently.

It is one of the reasons you can watch a baby who is tight, with fist clenched, get adjusted and see all that tension release and the baby opens their hands and relax.

In addition to chiropractic care, red and infrared light therapy has gained attention for its ability to support cellular healing and reduce inflammation.

Light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin and stimulate the mitochondria—the energy producers within cells.

This process, known as photobiomodulation, can enhance tissue repair, improve circulation, and decrease oxidative stress.

When applied to areas such as the neck and upper chest, red and infrared light therapy may help reduce inflammation around the vagus nerve and surrounding structures.

This can further support optimal nerve function and promote a calming effect on the body. Some research also suggests that light therapy may positively influence the autonomic nervous system, helping shift the body out of a chronic stress state and into a more balanced, restorative mode.

Together by addressing both structural alignment and cellular function, these therapies can help the body better regulate stress, improve recovery, and enhance quality of life.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in “fight or flight” mode, it may be time to consider your nervous system!

Supporting rest and digestion could be a key step toward better health from the inside out.

Yours in Health Naturally,
Dr. Kelly

P.S. If you have had family member or friend that is stressed and stuck in fight or flight, send them our way. I would love to help.