Cranial nerve 10, known as the vagus nerve is a very important nerve that we must take care of in order to live properly. Your cranial nerves are responsible for carrying out the right signals to regulate and monitor body functions, ensuring that each body system works properly and in tandem with each other. The vagus nerve can be argued to be one of the most important of the 12 cranial nerves that we have. Vagal nerve signals are transmitted between your brain and body, and regulate functions of the parasympathetic nervous system (commonly known as rest and digest).
As an involuntary nerve system, the vagus nerve can’t be controlled by thinking about performing an action consciously. It works behind the scenes to regulate heart functions, digestion, immune system control, breathing, and more. Some other interesting functions of the vagus nerve include contribution to speech, taste, blood pressure, mucus/saliva production, digestion, and even stimulus supplementation to immune triggers.
Being the longest of the cranial nerves, the vagus spans from the brain into the body to the intestines. When suppressed or inflamed, the vagus nerve can have significant effects on your body functions which can impact how you feel or move. A decrease in function of your vagus nerve can even have an impact on your mood, even causing major depressive disorder (MDD). There are a lot of important structures that surround the nerve that are also innervated (signaled by) the nerve itself.
So where does chiropractic care come in hand? Simply put, chiropractic care aims to regulate and stimulate the nervous system. In particular, the stimulation input from a chiropractic adjustment can enhance the ability of the vagus nerve to function properly. With proper alignment in your joints, the neural pathways and spaces allocated for nerves open to their potential, enhancing the ability for the nerve to send the appropriate signals to the right parts of the body.
Lifestyle choices and environmental factors can also lead to positive effects on vagal nerve stimulation. Maintaining proper hydration, a healthy diet, proper sleep patterns, regular chiropractic maintenance care, regular physical exercise, and lower stress levels can all have a positive effect on the health of your vagus nerve. Even random practices such as a cold shower can work! Dr. Paige and Dr. David may even prescribe breathing exercises to help work on getting your vagus nerve relaxed. The nerve is similar to a muscle, in that it needs a lot of attention in order to keep working properly!
With how much this nerve truly does, who wouldn’t want to take care of it? If you find that you are experiencing any symptoms that could be related to the vagus nerve, see if one of our doctors can help you. They can give you good strategies on the cause of your condition and potentially help you by addressing it at its roots. Ask one of them today if your vagus nerve function could be improved!
