What is My Nervous System? And Why Should I care?

Everyone has heard of the term "Fight or Flight" in casual conversation, synonymous with being stressed. But what does that actually do in our body? How does it affect me and you?

Without getting too deep in the weeds with scientific terms, I'm going to oversimplify it. Our Autonomic Nervous Systems have two parts: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic. Autonomic meaning it keeps the essential systems in our bodies humming along to keep us alive like regulating heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digesting our food.

Sympathetic: The "FIGHT OR FLIGHT"

Parasympathetic: The "REST and DIGEST"

I like to think of the nervous system as my personal, internal bodyguard. The main priority for our brain and body is to work together to keep us safe. When the body senses something and acknowledges it as a threat, it will flip the switch and turn the sympathetic nervous system on. What's that look like? Heart rate and respiratory rate goes up, decreases our immune system and digestion processes, so that all hands are on deck because for all the body knows you are being chased by a Saber-Toothed Tiger!!! So, it means out run this tiger or turn around and fight it, meaning it's you or the Tiger!

HOWEVER, in this modern day and age we live in, the Saber-Toothed Tiger is now our bills that keep mounting, conflicts at work or within our family, traffic, you fill in the blank here.

Naturally, we crave a quick relief from this "stress". What will make us feel better instantly? Food, video games, gambling, pills, smoking, shopping, you fill in the blank. 

We all know this only provides us temporary relief externally, but has done nothing to change our bodies perception of what's happening internally, meaning there is no shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic.

Did you know that out of 12 cranial nerves only 1 leaves our skull? YEP! The Vagus Nerve! It innervates the smooth muscles in our airways of our lungs and stomach, regulates heart rhythm, and is the MAIN part of the parasympathetic nervous system. That is why cultivating breath work is an effective way to switch you from the "FIGHT or FLIGHT" to "REST and DIGEST". Whether you are into meditation or yoga, breath work is a significant component to these practices. 

Dr. Andrew Huberman mentioned in his podcast, that research shows how a 'physiological sigh' is one of the fastest ways to transition from "FIGHT or FLIGHT" to "REST and DIGEST". To perform this physiologic sign, you take TWO inhales followed by a long exhale. The first inhale ideally would be longer then the second one. Through the nose followed by an extended long exhale through your mouth. He states 1-2 reps is sufficient to transition you into calm, which signals to your body that you are safe. I do this all the time, when I'm in traffic or after reading an upsetting text or email. Try it and see for yourself, the quick transition of how you feel from stressed or a calmer state.

So, what does this have to do with my pain? Well, assuming that you have had this pain for years, and that it is chronic. Whatever initially caused the pain, that incident turned on your nervous system in sympathetic or "FIGHT or FLIGHT", which can also contribute to connective tissue guarding as a protective mechanism.

If you have tried traditional therapy, massages, chiropractic treatment, etc. with short term results, my suspicion is that your body is sensing that you need protection. Here's an example, why do we swaddle babies? Because it makes them feel safe.  The snug feeling the babies feel reminds them of being snug in their mother's womb from that gentle pressure. 

This gentle pressure is replicated in John F. Barnes' myofascial release technique, which is held for at least 3-5 minutes. When the body senses safety, it will start to release the guarding from connective tissue. From my point of view as the practitioner it feels like taffy melting. Makes sense why my patients report feeling lighter, having less pain, and more mobility after each session. We then maintain this new range of motion with a few strengthening exercises in a pain free range, and with increased patient awareness of their body.

Contact me today if this seems like something that would help you too!

Take Good Care Until Then,

Hanna