I am reaching out to you today to share a simple exercise that is very beneficial to most people’s health. I’m always learning and am currently learning more about trauma and the body’s response. I recently read a book called Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg. This is a guide to understanding the cranial nerves and particularly the vagus nerve, which is cranial nerve X. 

In the book, he gives several self-help exercises for anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. I was amazed that this simple healing exercise, which allows the vagus nerve to become regulated, and the individual to move out of fight or flight and to feel safe, was effective so quickly. Of course, depending on the individuals issues, symptoms and environment, some may need to repeat the exercise more often than others. So far, I’ve been doing it once a day.

I’ve created a video to show you the exercise. You can access the video here or watch it below.

Rosenberg shares in the book that the autonomic nervous system needs to feel safe; we need to feel safe, in our body and in our environment. Safety fosters natural social engagement and easier interactions with others. The body is able to rest, rebuild and reproduce. The nervous system needs to reset and come back into a regulated state after being triggered into disharmony. This basic exercise only takes 2-3 minutes and has been shown to have a positive effect on the Vagus nerve, as well as on cranial nerves V,VII, IX and XI. It can also reposition C1 and C2 and increase neck mobility. What makes this so exciting to me is that I see how this simple exercise changes the functional relationship of the fascia, the muscles and the nerves. This removes stress on the system and can have an effect on the body to heal in so many ways. Over time, the regulation of the Vagus nerve contributes to improved function of multiple organs, tissues and body systems. Rosenberg addresses the connection of multiple symptoms that can be produced by dysregulation involving the cranial nerves in the creation of his “Heads of the Hydra” list. You can read all about it at the beginning of Chapter 1 in the book and find the full list on pages 3-5. The symptoms include chronic physical tensions, emotional issues, heart and lung problems, visceral organ dysfunctions, immune system problems, behavioral problems, interpersonal relationship issues and mental issues.

If you have any of these issues, I encourage you to do this exercise. I encourage you to read this book, as there may be other exercises equally as beneficial. I am so excited about this information.

Go and get this book: https://amzn.to/3YSH2iCo

Come in for an appointment.

Be well.

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