The Essentials #9: 🧠 The Vagus Nerve: Your Body’s Superhighway for Healing

At Essential Chiropractic in The Hague, we often talk about the nervous system as the master controller of your health. But did you know that one specific nerve—the vagus nerve—plays a crucial role in your body’s ability to rest, digest, and heal?

Let’s explore what the vagus nerve does, why it’s important, how it can get out of balance, and how you can support it—both at home and through chiropractic care.

💡 What is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve (Latin for “wandering”) is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It starts in your brainstem and travels down through your neck and chest to your heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It’s a major part of the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the rest-and-digest system.

The vagus nerve influences:

Heart rate and blood pressure

Digestion and gut motility

Immune regulation

Inflammation control

Mood and mental health

When the vagus nerve is functioning well, your body can recover from stress, regulate emotions, and maintain digestive and immune balance. This healthy function is known as having "good vagal tone."

⚠️ Signs Your Vagus Nerve May Be Struggling

Chronic stress or anxiety

Digestive problems (bloating, IBS, reflux)

Fatigue or burnout

Difficulty recovering from illness

Brain fog or low mood

Cold hands/feet due to poor circulation

🏠 Self-Care Techniques to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve

The good news? There are several easy things you can do at home to activate your vagus nerve and improve your body’s resilience.

1. Deep, Slow Breathing

Try diaphragmatic breathing: inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale through your mouth for 6-8 counts. Aim for 5-10 minutes a day.

2. Cold Exposure

Splashing cold water on your face or finishing your shower with 30 seconds of cold water can stimulate vagal activity.

3. Humming or Singing

Your vagus nerve connects to your vocal cords. Humming, chanting, or singing can naturally tone the nerve.

4. Gargling

Gargling vigorously for 30 seconds can activate vagal function through stimulation of the throat muscles.

5. Meditation or Prayer

Both promote relaxation and increase vagal tone. Even 5 minutes of stillness can help calm your system.

6. Social Connection

Meaningful social interactions can also regulate vagal tone. Call a friend, have a laugh, or cuddle your pet—your nervous system will thank you!

👐 How Chiropractic Helps the Vagus Nerve

At Essential Chiropractic, we focus on the nervous system, not just bones and muscles. Your spine houses the spinal cord, and tension or misalignment (known as a subluxation) can interfere with nerve flow—including the vagus nerve's signals.

Here's how chiropractic can support vagal function:

Correcting subluxations in the upper neck, especially around the atlas (C1), can help improve brainstem and vagus nerve communication.

Balancing the autonomic nervous system through regular adjustments can shift your body from chronic fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest mode.

Reducing stress load on your body increases your ability to heal and regulate naturally.

In fact, many clients report better sleep, digestion, and mood following chiropractic care—all signs of improved vagal tone!

🌀 Why It Matters

You don’t have to wait until burnout, anxiety, or digestive trouble becomes your new normal. Small shifts in your daily habits—paired with consistent chiropractic care—can help your body regulate, heal, and thrive.

💬 Want to Learn More?

If you’re curious about how chiropractic can support your vagus nerve and whole-body wellness, we’d love to talk! Book a consultation at our clinic in Statenkwartier, The Hague, and let’s explore what’s possible for your health.

Essential Chiropractic | The Hague