Vagus nerve support for digestion

By Karen Bruno, PT

Support for your digestion, known as the microbiome, is assisted by the vagus nerve. The enteric nervous system,  often referred to as the second brain,  controls activity of the gastrointestinal tract which includes the stomach and intestines. (1) It has extensive nerve connections and communication between the central nervous system ( your brain and spinal cord) and the digestive system. The vagus nerve runs from the brain down to your organs, such as, the small and large intestines, regulating movement in the digestive tract. Signals are sent brain to gut and gut to brain.

This gentle exercise uses gateways, or touch points,  to talk to the vagus nerve and to your gut health. Take one hand,  cross it over your throat, and tuck it in the hollow space behind your ear (acupressure point Triple Warmer 17). Take the middle finger of the other hand and place it in your navel. Your touch pressure in both areas is very light. This hooks up the gut to the vagus nerve. Breathe in through the nose and out through the back of your throat to support the vagus nerve and digestive health. Take about 3-5 breathes; feel free to do it more if you have the time. Then switch your hands so that you connect the back of the ear on the opposite side and the belly button.  

You can do this anytime during the day, for example, before or after a meal, before bed, first thing in the morning or whenever it is convenient. You can do this sitting, standing or laying down. This supports good vagus nerve connection from the brain to the gut and the gut back to the brain. (2)

(1) John B. Furness (2007) Enteric nervous system. Scholarpedia, 2(10):4064., revision #91225
(2) https://wellwithin.net/energy-medicine-for-gut-health/