Stepping Stones Massage is amping up services by adding Vagal Nerve Stimulation to their service menu.
Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is the electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (10th Cranial Nerve) by sending a very gentle (low frequency ) micro-electrical current through to the vagal nerve to help down regulate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Down regulation of the SNS is crucial because the SNS serves as a gas pedal for our bodies. When exposed to stress, it prepares us for fight or flight by:
- Moving blood away from the organs to the muscles
- Shuts down digestion
- Shuts down immune system
- Tightens muscles
- Constricts lymphatic flow
- Ceases cellular healing
Looking at this list, one can see how prolonged up-regulation of the SNS can cause a cascade of negative neurophysiological responses and be directly connected to chronic dis-ease in the body.
Vagal Nerve Stimulation helps to activate our bodies “brakes”. The Vagal nerve is responsible for 80% of the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system which stimulates:
- Restoration and repair
- Digestion
- Detoxification
- Immunological balance
The Vagus nerve, which runs from the brain into the body, connects to the heart, lungs, intestines and several muscles involved in swallowing. It is responsible for:
- Slowing the heart rate
- Regulating blood pressure
- Controlling vascular and muscle tone
- Controlling sweating
- Stimulating peristalsis
- Regulating pulmonary function
- Regulating respiration
- Regulates Immune response to inflammation
VNS has been approved by Health Canada in the treatment of acute respiratory issues as research has shown this treatment can immediately enhance respiratory functioning. It is also effective for treatment of brain fog, pain, headaches, inflammation, and insomnia.
This service can be booked as a stand alone session or included in your Therapeutic Massage or RAPID-NFR Session at no extra cost. Ask Carmen if Vagal Nerve Stimulation might be a beneficial stepping stone on your path to health.