What's All the Fuss About the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve has been getting a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. It’s one of the most important aspects of the nerve system, linking the brain to the heart, lungs, gut, glands and beyond. When the vagus nerve is functioning well, your body can move smoothly between action and rest, stress and recovery. When it isn’t, the effects can be felt everywhere.

Here in West Auckland, many families we meet are curious about the vagus nerve because they’ve read about it online, tried breathing techniques, saunas, and ice baths all in the hope of calming their system. What often gets missed in the conversation is this: the vagus nerve doesn’t work in isolation. It depends on clear communication throughout the entire nervous system. And that’s exactly what chiropractic care is designed to support.

So whilst those things can be hugely beneficial for your health, if the nerve system is not functioning optimally – these techniques will only get you so far, and for so long.

We must actively embrace a lifestyle where your nerve system is wired towards resilience and adaptability. In this state not only will you better handle stress, you will consistently increase your baseline of health and experience even greater benefits from the techniques you have so diligently tried before.

Why the Vagus Nerve Matters

The vagus nerve is the main highway of your parasympathetic nervous system — often called the “rest and digest” side. It helps regulate:

When this nerve has accumulated interference from ongoing stress (i.e. not functioning optimally) the body may stay stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Over time this leads to exhaustion and a distinct lack of resilience. That can look like poor sleep, anxious feelings, tummy troubles, babies not thriving, or a constant sense of being wound-up.

What People Commonly Try

There are plenty of blogs and podcasts suggesting vagus nerve “hacks”: deep breathing, singing, humming, meditation, splashing your face with cold water. These can all help to an extent. But if the nervous system is under continual stress, these strategies often don’t last.

That’s where chiropractic comes in. Instead of focusing on quick fixes, chiropractic care addresses the foundation — the ability of your nervous system to adapt and regulate itself, even in the presence of stress(ors)

How Chiropractic Care Sets You Apart

At Advanced Health Chiropractic, we take a different approach to vagus nerve health:

• We measure nervous system function with Insight Scans, so you can see how well your body is adapting before and after care.
• We care for whole families — from newborn babies to grandparents — because vagus nerve function matters at every stage of life.
• We focus on communication, not just posture or pain, so the brain and body can reconnect and restore natural rhythm in an ongoing and sustainable way.

One West Auckland family recently shared how their child, who was struggling with restless sleep and tummy discomfort, showed improved adaptability on their scans after starting care. Over time, sleep settled, digestion was easier, and the whole household felt calmer. These are the kinds of changes that happen when the vagus nerve, and the entire nerve system, is supported to do its job.

A Hopeful Perspective

Your vagus nerve is designed to help your body thrive. It’s built to shift gears, recover, and keep you calm. The good news is that your body hasn’t forgotten how, it simply needs the right support to return to that state. Chiropractic care helps restore the communication pathways that make this possible.