Vagus Nerve Activation: What It Is and How Chiropractic Helps
If you’ve been paying attention to health and wellness conversations lately, you’ve probably heard the term vagus nerve. It’s become a bit of a buzzword in everything from meditation to gut health. But the vagus nerve isn’t just a trend, it’s one of the most important parts of your nervous system. And when it isn’t working properly, the effects can ripple through your whole body.
At Salt Chiropractic in South Brisbane, we often see people who feel “stuck in stress mode”, who are anxious, wired, or run-down. Helping the vagus nerve function better can be one of the keys to restoring balance. Here’s what you need to know about the vagus nerve, why it matters, and how chiropractic care can support it.
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body. Its name comes from the Latin word vagus, meaning “wandering” - because it travels from your brainstem all the way down through your neck, chest, and abdomen, branching into your heart, lungs, and digestive system¹.
Think of it as your body’s “rest and digest” switch. The vagus nerve is a major player in the parasympathetic nervous system - that’s the part responsible for calming your body down after stress, slowing your heart rate, regulating digestion, and helping you heal¹².
When the vagus nerve is functioning well, you feel relaxed, grounded, and resilient. When it isn’t, your body can get stuck in fight-or-flight mode, leading to poor sleep, digestive issues, anxiety, and even lowered immune function¹.
Stress, Survival, and the Vagus Nerve
Modern life keeps many of us in a state of constant alertness. Emails, deadlines, traffic, and the pressures of daily living keep our sympathetic nervous system (the stress side) switched on. The problem is that if this stress state becomes the “new normal,” the vagus nerve can become underactive, and the balance between stress and relaxation is lost².
Some common signs that your vagus nerve may not be firing properly include:
Shallow breathing or holding your breath without realising.
Digestive issues such as bloating or IBS.
Trouble falling or staying asleep.
Feeling anxious, on edge, or burnt out.
Increased sensitivity to pain or stress.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Research shows that low vagal tone (how well the vagus nerve is working) is linked to a wide range of health issues, from heart health to mental wellbeing¹³.
How Chiropractic Care Supports the Vagus Nerve
So where does chiropractic come in? While most people think of chiropractic care as “spine adjustments for back pain,” the real focus is on supporting the nervous system. Your spine isn’t just a stack of bones, it’s the protective casing for your spinal cord, which connects directly to the brainstem where the vagus nerve originates¹².
Here are a few ways chiropractic adjustments can support vagus nerve activation:
1. Balancing the Nervous System
Adjustments help restore proper motion in spinal joints. This reduces mechanical stress and irritation around the nervous system, allowing the body to better shift from “fight or flight” into “rest and digest.” Studies using heart rate variability (HRV) - a measure of vagal activity, have shown improvements after chiropractic care⁵.
2. Influencing the Brainstem
The upper cervical spine (around the top of your neck) is closely connected to the brainstem - the area where the vagus nerve originates. Gentle chiropractic adjustments in this region can have powerful effects on nervous system regulation, supporting the pathways that help the vagus nerve do its job².
3. Reducing Stress and Tension
Many people notice they feel calmer and breathe more deeply after an adjustment. This isn’t just in their head. By relieving spinal tension, the body can naturally shift into a more parasympathetic, vagus-nerve-friendly state⁴.
Simple Ways to Activate the Vagus Nerve at Home
Chiropractic care is a great foundation, but there are also simple daily practices that stimulate the vagus nerve and complement your adjustments:
Deep breathing: Slow, diaphragmatic breathing signals the vagus nerve to calm the body¹.
Cold exposure: Splashing your face with cold water or ending your shower on cold can activate vagal pathways¹.
Humming or singing: The vagus nerve runs through the throat, so vocal vibrations stimulate it¹.
Meditation or prayer: Stillness and mindfulness help regulate vagal tone and reduce stress¹.
Gentle exercise: Walking, yoga, and stretching all support parasympathetic activation².
Why This Matters for Your Health
When your vagus nerve is working well, your body is more adaptable and resilient. You recover faster, handle stress better, and feel calmer in your mind and body. Improved vagal function is linked to:
Better digestion and nutrient absorption².
Deeper, more restorative sleep¹.
Lower inflammation and improved immune function³.
More stable mood and mental clarity¹.
Greater overall energy and wellbeing².
At Salt Chiropractic, we see the bigger picture: improving spinal function isn’t just about relieving pain; it’s about helping your nervous system, including the vagus nerve, to work at its best so your body can heal and thrive.
Key Takeaways
The vagus nerve is your body’s main “rest and digest” pathway¹.
Low vagal tone contributes to stress, poor sleep, digestive issues, and low resilience²³.
Chiropractic adjustments support nervous system balance and can improve vagal activation⁴⁵.
Simple practices like deep breathing, humming, and cold water can help too¹.
A healthy vagus nerve means a calmer, stronger, and more adaptable you².
Final Word
If you’ve been feeling stuck in stress mode, struggling with sleep or digestion, or just not feeling like yourself, your vagus nerve could be part of the picture. Chiropractic care offers a natural way to support your nervous system, activate the vagus nerve, and restore balance.
At Salt Chiropractic in South Brisbane, we’re here to help you find that balance, so you can heal, adapt, and bring out the flavour of your life.
References
Porges, S.W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W.W. Norton.
Minardi, J. (2010). The Complete Chiropractor: Concepts and techniques for the modern practitioner. Handspring.
Coote, J.H. (2013). The Heart and the Autonomic Nervous System. Clinical Autonomic Research, 23(1), 1–15.
Clow, A., & Fredhoi, C. (2006). Normalisation of salivary cortisol levels and self‐report stress by a brief period of chiropractic care. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(8), 575–582.
Heart rate variability changes following chiropractic care: A review of the literature. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research (2016).