Digestive concerns are one of the most common things I treat on a daily basis. More and more, I am finding bacterial overgrowth, yeast, low digestive fire and an intolerance to many foods. With a picture like this, we often start with a 4R program: RID, REPLACE, REKINDLE, REPAIR. This is a beautiful system of clearing out the insults and healing the terrain but there is one piece of the puzzle that often goes overlooked: the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve governs our most basic functions of life, from the rhythm of our heartbeat to the rate of our breath to the gentle waves and secretions of our digestive system.

The redwood-like structure of the vagus nerve arises from the brainstem. The main trunk travels down both sides of the neck and into the chest wall where it diverges into a cavalry of branches reaching the far depths of the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Since the vagus nerve governs the rest and digest division of the nervous system, imbalance arises from chronic emotional stress that forces the body into a fight or flight dominant state.

The vagus nerve can also be damaged by physical stressors, including, an episode of food poisoning, chronic gut infections and mononucleosis. Regardless of the triggering event, the consequences of vagal imbalance generate a vicious cycle of damage in the gut.

Symptoms of vagal nerve imbalance: feeling full from a small amount of food, bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, nutrient deficiencies-especially, vitamin B12, calcium and iron, racing heart, short shallow breathing and a constant feeling of impending doom, anxiety and worry.

Signs of vagal nerve imbalance: high blood pressure, low stomach acid, gastroparesis and SIBO (small bowel bacterial overgrowth).

One of the key strategies for healing a dysfunctional vagal nerve is stress management. This of course is an ongoing restorative lifestyle that will ebb and flow with tides of life.

If you are suffering with chronic digestive concerns, your gut may be stuck in this cycle of damage and insult. Personalized diagnosis is key to uncover the triggers and mediators of your individual condition. Once identified, these imbalances can be corrected with a 4R program unique to you. A 4R program that includes strategies to heal and restore the gut-brain axis is essential to achieve cure.

For those of you who suffer from bloating, gas, nausea and abnormal bowel movements, these techniques can be employed before meals to stimulate the vagus nerve. As part of your 4R program, they will enhance stomach acid, bile and enzyme secretion as well as the rhythmic contractions to propel the food forward.

As an added bonus, these techniques can also be employed during stress to reduce the heart rate:) I’ve used a few before giving presentations!

Happy Healing!