The Vagus Nerve in Therapeutic Practice

The Vagus Nerve in Therapeutic Practice is a comprehensive guide that empowers holistic healers and complementary medicine practitioners with practical, science-based techniques to improve vagal performance and restore mind-body health. This excellent resource has been tailored for professionals to give them a solid understanding of vagus nerve regulation and provides accessible strategies to help their clients.

The book provides a clear understanding of the importance and benefits of self-regulating the autonomic nervous system, focusing on the vagus nerve. This nerve controls the stress response, regulates digestion, modulates the immune system, and releases an anti-inflammatory neurotransmitter, acetylcholine; when it functions inadequately, all of these systems can be adversely affected. By learning techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve, practitioners can help those experiencing low-level inflammation and emotional stress, including those with chronic diseases.

Each chapter provides practical, evidence-based methods that can be used to stimulate the ventral vagal complex, illustrated by a case history from a complementary medicine or holistic practice. The author addresses the anatomy and evolution of the vagus nerve, including its possible role in promoting social engagement, using the polyvagal theory as a model. The functions of major branches of the vagus nerve and other neighbouring cranial nerves are discussed in turn; in each case the mechanism by which neural stimulation improves relaxation and health is outlined, and a practical way to engage the nerve branch and limbic system is described with the help of a case study. An addendum includes an easily referenced summary of the exercises described throughout the book, as well as routines for utilizing combinations of the exercises on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
This book will enable healthcare professionals to attain a solid grasp of the clinical significance of regulating the vagus nerve and provide them with easy to follow ways to do it.

Reviews

• Catriona O’Curry, M.A., Applied Behavioural Sciences, 1995, LIOS/Bastyr University. BobCatIntegrativeConsulting.com

  Thorough, rich, rewarding, affirming, and enlightening. I can’t wait to share this book with my clients, colleagues, friends, and family members. I am, as always, so grateful to Ann for her painstaking research.

• Dr. Kavita Prasad MD FACP, Medical Director Integrative Medicine, Zumbro Valley Health Center, Former consultant, Department of Integrative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Research collaborator, Mayo Clinic,Trustee Full Circle Fund Therapies

  ‘Vagus Nerve in Therapeutic Practice,’ provides an exceptional synthesis in our understanding of the mind body connection. As a researcher in the field, Ann offers deep scientific insights into the central role of complementary and integrative therapies in balancing the autonomic system. All this is expressed beautifully through a unique combination of perspectives from history, spirituality, poetry and providers – a wonderful addition to the field for patients, practitioners and researchers.

• Hollis H. King, DO, PhD Center for Integrative Medicine University of California San Diego School of Medicine

  Dr. Baldwin has meticulously described the neuroanatomy anatomy of the Vagus nerve and Polyvagal Theory and how this knowledge can be utilized in integrative medicine practice. For the reader steeped in integrative medicine modalities, this book provides an excellent scientific reference. For the medical practitioner steeped in the science of neuroanatomy, this book is an excellent introduction to applications in the arena of integrative healthcare.

• Dr. June E. Stevens, ND, MS, Owner of NOR CAL Natural Medicine in Redding, CA, International Bestselling Author of What in the Gut Is Going On? Five Key Elements to Master Your Hormones

  Dr. Ann Baldwin distills years of experience and scientific research in the realm of mind-body medicine into this book. The Vagus Nerve in Therapeutic Practice provides practitioners with non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical, inexpensive and effective ways to regain nervous system balance via vagus nerve stimulation, ultimately improving mental, emotional, physical and social well-being. A valuable resource given the fast paced, high stress, toxic and anxiety provoking world we live in today.