Resources
This is part 2 of the vagus nerve and why it’s important to take care of it. Today, I’ll talk about that and give you two more exercises to try, and a grounding exercise to help you calm your nervous system.
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The vagus nerve is most active when we are feeling calm, relaxed, and connected. So, we want to take care of it. We want to ensure that everything is functioning correctly. Dysregulation looks like irritability. It looks like all kinds of moodiness and poor decision-making. It may hinder digestion, increase blood pressure, and intensify your pain.
There are several reasons to regulate this nerve. We can strengthen our immune systems, decrease inflammation, balance our hormones, feel less pain, and be better suited to deal with stress and suffering. We have improved relationships, make better decisions, and sleep more soundly.
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People with chronic pain often go beyond the pain threshold. We live there. We have to get up, take a shower, and go to the doctor, so we can’t stop. We can’t stop just to be safe. We’re still at the “protect-by-pain” line. Even though it’s awful, we’re still safe because the “tissue tolerance line” is higher. The body adds a second “protect-by-pain line” because we are always in pain, called the “flare-up line,” which is closer to “tissue tolerance.”
People with chronic pain often go beyond the pain threshold. We live there. We have to get up, take a shower, and go to the doctor, so we can’t stop. We can’t stop just to be safe. We’re still at the “protect-by-pain” line. Even though it’s awful, we’re still safe because the “tissue tolerance line” is higher. The body adds a second “protect-by-pain line” because we are always in pain, called the “flare-up line,” which is closer to “tissue tolerance.”
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Pacing is about how to progress our activity levels and exercise in a safe way when we have chronic pain. So most of the time, people who have who don’t have chronic pain, they’re used to kind of this “no pain, no gain” kind of idea.
That’s really great – if you don’t have chronic pain. When we do have chronic pain, our nervous systems have been sensitized to a point where, even though we’re not doing any damage, we can still make ourselves pretty miserable for a number of days, if we overdo it.
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Hi, I'm Ann Alton.
I know what it's like to plan your week around going to the grocery store. I also know there is light on the other side.
I am a physical therapist that specializes in chronic conditions, pelvic floor dysfunctions, chronic pain and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. So let's talk.
- I believe you and I'm on your side.
- There's no obligation and no strings attached.
- This call is 100% free of charge.
- You have nothing to lose.
I help people with chronic conditions to live more fulfilling lives
But don't just take my word for it. Listen to my clients.
This is my neck after our first session.
I can now turn my head almost completely to the right without much pain or resistance. That was not possible before today - it's been like that for about 6+ years.
— K.E.
I'm a Physical Therapist myself and Ann's patient, and I'm impressed with Ann's intuition and 1:1 time
Seeing Ann has been incredibly helpful for several chronic conditions I am dealing with.
I am a Physical Therapist, and am impressed with how Ann is so intuitive - somehow Ann always knows exactly where my body needs work, sometimes even before I do!
I always leave the clinic feeling better than when I walked in, and really appreciate all of the 1:1 time I get with Ann.
If you are looking for someone to help you with chronic conditions, especially if other Physical Therapists have failed you in the past, look no further!
— Dr. Stephanie Dillon (she/her)
PT, DPT, WCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified in Women's/Pelvic Health
