Vagus Nerve

During your chiropractic examination and treatment at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness (Perth CBD). Your chiropractor will test your nerves and musculoskeletal system before your chiropractic treatment.

There are 12 cranial nerves in the body that link the brain to other areas of the body. Some nerves only function to send sensory information to the brain, where others provide motor functions such as the movement of a muscle. The Vagus nerve is cranial nerve 10, which provide sensory and motor functions. The vagus nerve is responsible for digestion, heart rate, breathing, and reflexes such as coughing, sneezing, swallowing and vomiting.

We have our central nervous system which is our brain and spinal cord. Then we have our peripheral nervous system which are the nerves that communicate between the central nervous system and other body parts. The peripheral nervous system is made up of the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system, sends messages to smooth muscles like your intestines, organs such as your heart and glands. The autonomic nervous system functions automatically without conscious effort. The somatic nervous system is made of nerves that send messages to the skin and muscles which are conscious activities.

The Vagus nerve- cranial nerve X, has sensory and motor functions.

• Sensory functions of the vagus nerve includes- sending sensation from skin of the outer ear and certain parts of the throat to the central nervous system. Sending sensation information from lungs, heart and the digestive tract.
• Motor functions of the vagus nerve includes- stimulating muscles in back of the mouth, pharynx and larynx. Stimulating muscles in the heart, and contractions in the digestive tract allowing food to move though.

A common and easy way your chiropractor at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness (Perth CBD) may test the function of the vagus nerve is the gag reflex. If the gag flex is absent then this may indicate a problem with the vagus nerve. Measuring heart rate and blood pressure to exercise will also provide with information as to how your vagal nerve is functioning.

Some symptoms that our chiropractors at Logan Chiropractic and Wellness (Perth CBD) will assess when there is Vagus nerve damage or problems include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss or change of voice
• Low blood pressure
• Changes in digestive process
• Abdominal bloating or pain

The vagus nerve plays a major role in many of our body’s functions!