148: The Vagus Nerve: Buzzword or Biology? (with Til Luchau & Whitney Lowe)

🎙From “vagal push-ups” to inflammation to trauma healing, the vagus nerve is everywhere in bodywork and wellness talk—but what does the science actually say? And more importantly, what does this mean in actual practice? In this episode, Til and Whitney take a grounded, myth-busting look at the vagus nerve’s role in health, relaxation, and hands-on practice. They explore what we can clearly influence through bodywork, what’s misunderstood, and how to work with and think about this vital nerve in our hands-on practices.

🔍 Key Topics:

0:01:50 Introduction to the vagus nerve 0:02:07 Early experiences learning about the vagus nerve 0:03:40 Chair massage and vagal responses 0:03:40 EMT training and vagal response demonstrations 0:04:03 Early research on heart rate variability 0:05:23 Steven Porges and polyvagal theory origins 0:05:46 Anatomical overview of the vagus nerve 0:06:15 Nerve pathways and innervation 0:08:44 Branches to the ear and other body parts 0:08:44 Ventral and dorsal vagus nerve divisions 0:10:01 Parasympathetic nervous system explanation 0:11:11 Evolutionary perspectives on vagal function 0:12:44 Vagal tone and heart rate variability 0:14:38 Mechanisms of heart rate regulation 0:15:04 Breathing and its impact on vagal tone 0:19:47 Breathing techniques for vagal stimulation 0:21:15 Humming, chanting, and vocal effects 0:23:15 Social regulation through sound 0:25:24 Cold exposure and vagal response 0:26:35 Diving reflex 0:27:00 Physiological changes in response to cold 0:28:07 Can we "treat" the vagus nerve? 0:32:27 Limitations of direct nerve manipulation 0:35:14 Holistic approaches to nervous system regulation 0:35:39 Identifying clients who might benefit from vagal tone work 0:36:14 Vagus nerve and inflammation 0:38:12 Changing perspectives on manual therapy approaches 0:39:39 Role of education in treatment 0:41:16 Ear stimulation techniques 0:42:52 Cautions about ear work 0:44:46 Polyvagal theory overview 0:45:59 Criticisms of polyvagal theory 0:46:21 Misconceptions about vagus nerve stimulation 0:49:25 Key takeaways about vagus nerve 0:50:24 Importance of context in nervous system regulation 0:51:49 Comparing vagus nerve to mystique of psoas muscle 0:52:41 Sponsor acknowledgments 0:53:24 Closing remarks and contact information

Resources discussed in this episode: 

• Article: Luchau, Til: 'Working with the Vagus Nerve' Massage & Bodywork, 2017. https://bit.ly/luchau-workingwiththevagusnerve 

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🎁 Get the full transcript at Til or Whitney's sites! 

• Whitney Lowe’s site: AcademyOfClinicalMassage.com 
• Til Luchau’s site: Advanced-Trainings.com  

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(The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is intended for professional practitioners of manual and movement therapies: bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedic, sports massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, yoga, strength and conditioning, and similar professions. It is not medical or treatment advice.)