whats the Vagus Nerve?
How Supporting the Vagus Nerve Can Help Movement, Pain, and Pelvic Health
The vagus nerve is one of the body’s main communication pathways, connecting the brain to the organs in the chest and abdomen. It plays a critical role in regulating breathing, heart rate, digestion, and how the nervous system shifts between activity and rest.
When this nerve is functioning well, your body can move more freely, tension softens, and the pelvic floor and digestive system respond naturally. When the vagus nerve is under strain, it can contribute to symptoms that persist even with exercises or manual therapy alone.
At Root & Ember Physical Therapy, we approach movement, muscles, and joints through the lens of the nervous system. By supporting and regulating the vagus nerve, we can help your body notice patterns, release tension, and restore more natural function.
Below are some common symptoms we see — and how addressing the vagus nerve can make a difference:
1. Jaw Tension or Clenching
Supporting vagus nerve function can help the muscles of the jaw relax naturally. Through breath, nervous system awareness, and guided movement, physical therapy can reduce involuntary clenching and improve jaw mobility.
2. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
When the vagus nerve is regulated, the pelvic floor can respond rather than brace. Nervous system-informed therapy can reduce hypertonicity, improve coordination, and support better pelvic function.
3. Digestive Discomfort
The vagus nerve communicates directly with the digestive system. Supporting its function through breath, posture, and nervous system awareness can help digestion work more efficiently and reduce discomfort.
4. Chronic Low Back or Hip Pain
Vagus nerve regulation influences overall muscle tone and movement patterns. Working with a therapist to improve nervous system balance can reduce protective tension and allow more natural, pain-free movement.
5. Shallow Breathing or Limited Chest Expansion
A well-regulated vagus nerve helps the diaphragm and respiratory muscles coordinate with the rest of the body. Guided awareness and movement can expand breath, reduce tension in the chest and neck, and improve overall regulation.
6. Fatigue or Nervous System Overwhelm
Supporting the vagus nerve helps the body shift into rest and recovery. Awareness-based therapy and movement strategies can support parasympathetic activity, helping energy and resilience over time.
7. Urinary Urgency or Pelvic Pressure
A well-functioning vagus nerve supports pelvic floor coordination with bladder function. Nervous system-informed therapy can reduce overactive tension and improve comfort and control.
8. Neck and Shoulder Tension
Vagus nerve support encourages relaxation in the neck and shoulder muscles. Targeted movement and awareness can reduce chronic guarding and improve posture.
9. Heart Rate Sensitivity and Stress Response
The vagus nerve helps the body manage stress and maintain balanced heart rate responses. Supporting its function can reduce secondary tension in muscles and improve overall nervous system regulation.
10. Headaches or Migraines
By supporting vagus nerve function, tension in the head, neck, and shoulders can be reduced. Awareness, breath, and movement strategies may help reduce the frequency or intensity of headaches over time.
Why This Matters
The vagus nerve affects much more than a single symptom — it influences how your body organizes itself, how it moves, and how it responds to stress. By noticing subtle signals in your body and supporting the nervous system, physical therapy can help address the root patterns that keep pain or other symptoms chronic.
If you notice tension, persistent pain, or pelvic or digestive issues, working with a physical therapist who understands nervous system regulation can help you explore what your body really needs, rather than relying solely on surface-level exercises.
