Vagus Nerve and Massage: Anatomy, Function, and the Body’s Healing Link

Can massage therapy really activate your vagus nerve and reset your nervous system? In this episode of The Science Behind Massage, I take you deep into the fascinating link between massage, Thai Bodywork, vagal tone, stress relief, and the body’s natural healing response.Book an affordable massage class (includes certification): https://jointheflow.weebly.com/our-courses.htmlAmazon book on clinical Thai Massage: https://amzn.to/47CkJTrLet's connect: https://www.instagram.com/flowathensJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKwF_n9Vs-YtxEj5TRx7dwQ/joinThe vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve (CN X), connects the brain, heart, lungs, and digestive organs. It’s the main pathway of the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the “rest and digest” response. When this nerve is stimulated, it can lower heart rate, reduce inflammation, ease anxiety, and improve digestion—making it a key player in restoring balance to the body and mind.In this episode, you’ll learn:🧠 What the vagus nerve is and where it travels through the body💓 How it connects the brainstem to major organs like the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines🌿 Why vagal tone is a marker of overall health and emotional regulation😮‍💨 How the vagus nerve affects stress, anxiety, asthma, digestion, and chronic pain💆‍♀️ How Thai massage techniques can help stimulate vagal activity and improve relaxation🫀 The science behind heart rate variability (HRV) and what it reveals about vagus nerve function🩺 How you can help your clients reset their nervous system through safe, intentional touchYou’ll also discover practical, evidence-based techniques for vagus nerve stimulation through massage:– Gentle neck and SCM work (where the vagus nerve runs close to the surface)– Circular massage behind the ears and along the jaw– Abdominal massage to support digestion and parasympathetic activation– Breathing methods, humming, cold-water exposure, and mindful movement to support vagal tone at homeUnderstanding how to work with the vagus nerve in massage therapy can transform your sessions. It’s not just about easing tight muscles — it’s about helping the body remember how to relax, recover, and heal. When you approach your clients with this knowledge, you’re influencing one of the body’s most powerful self-regulating systems.🎧 Listen now to learn how touch interacts with neuroscience and physiology, and why massage therapy for the vagus nerve is one of the most effective natural tools for restoring balance to the autonomic nervous system.If you’re a massage therapist, bodyworker, or wellness practitioner, this episode will expand your understanding of how the body’s electrical and emotional systems are intertwined — and how to support them through skillful touch.