highly influential nerve structure , which forms a dynamic bridge between the human biology and psychology . Recent research evidence demonstrates that vagus nerve stimulation is a promising add-on treatment for treatmentrefractory depression , posttraumatic stress disorder , and inflammatory bowel disease .( 6 )
Vagal tone correlates with the capacity to regulate stress responses and can be influenced not just by electronic stimulation , but also by much more immediate measures such as breathing , meditation , meditative movement such as yoga and touch therapy . These all contribute to better resilience within the nervous system and the mitigation of mood and anxiety symptoms .( 6 )
In addition , spinal reflexes regulate GIT function significantly . The dorsal vagus nerve provides innervation to the proximal colon , but most parasympathetic innervation to the distal colon originates from preganglionic neurons within the lumbosacral region .( 6 ) Acetylcholine proves to be an important neurotransmitter in this communication and production of acetylcholine within the CNS is in turn influenced by the fluidity of its production in the ENS .( 4 )
The dorsal horn structures of the spinal cord , particularly within the region of T6-9 for the proximal GIT and L2-5 and S1-S4 for the distal GIT , have a direct neural influence on digestive function and balance .( 4 ) Several neuroanatomical tracing studies have demonstrated that ascending projections from the dorsal horn of the spinal cord project directly to several CNS structures involved in the processing of GI autonomic information , including the NTS , the hypothalamus and the amygdala .( 4 ) The ANS is thus very much influenced by the health and balance of our ENS , which in turn profoundly affects the health of our CNS .
Respiratory and pelvic diaphragms
Our bodywork attention also needs to be directed into the respiratory and pelvic diaphragms , which function in beautiful synchronicity . They keep intraabdominal pressure at its optimum rate ; this has an important impact on GIT health .
The respiratory and pelvic diaphragms are both closely interwoven through fascial sheaths with significant nerve pathways affecting ENS balance : the vagus nerve travels through the hiatal realm of the respiratory diaphragm and the pelvic floor has a close structural and functional relationship with the sacral plexus .( 6 ) Clearing fascial inertia here is likely to enhance the healthy functionality of those nerve pathways .
Porges ( 9 ) has demonstrated that the tone of the vagal system improves noticeably with deep diaphragmatic breath focus . Long exhalations stimulate vagal tone significantly and are another useful tool for bodywork protocols .
Neuroscientist Candace Pert equated the body with the subconscious mind ( 10 ) due to the abundance of neuropeptides present in a body-wide reach of interconnected tissues and fluids . Those neuropeptides are very densely present within our abdominal viscera and within the ENS in particular . This makes the abdominal realm particularly sensitive to subliminal perception and emotional experience .
Conclusion
Bodywork may improve ENS balance , helping to support the self-regulating ability of the ANS , and thus the physical , mental and emotional health of our clients . However , as bodywork therapists we need to be very mindful of abdominal vulnerability when we aim to engage with the soft abdomen and the GIT of our clients . This work requires the quality of calm and safety to be communicated to our clients through our intention , presence , quality of touch , tone of voice and the words that we choose for that communication .
Further detail about ENS bodywork protocols can be found in my ATMS webinar .
REFERENCES 1 . Gershon MD . The Second Brain . New York :
Harper , 2003
2 . Davis CM . Integrative Therapies in Rehabilitation . Thorofare : SLACK Incorporated , 2016
3 . Blechschmidt E . The Ontogenetic Basis of Human Anatomy . Berkely : North Atlantic Books , 2004
4 . Browning KN , Travagli RA . Central nervous system control of gastrointestinal motility and secretion and modulation of gastrointestinal functions . Compr . Physiol . 2014 ; 4 ( 4 ) L1339-1368
5 . Valdes AM . Role of the microbiota in nutrition and health . BMJ , 2018 ; 361 : k2179
6 . Breit S , Kupferberg A , Rogler G , Hasler G . Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain- gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders . Front . Psychiatry . 2018 ; 9:44
7 . Mayer EA . Gut feelings : the emerging biology of gut-brain communication . Nat Rev Neurosci . 2011 , 12 ( 8 ): 453-466
8 . Chen WG , Schloesser D , Arensdorf AM , Simmons JM , Cui C , Valentino R et al The Emerging Science of Interoception : Sensing , Integrating , Interpreting , and Regulating Signals within the Self . rends Neuroscience . 2021 ; 44 ( 1 ): 3-16
9 . Porges SW . The Polyvagal Theory . New York : WW Norton , 2011
10 . Pert CB . Molecules of Emotion . London : Simon & Schuster , 1999
JATMS | Autumn 2022 | 21