Massage Therapy for the Vagus Nerve: Supporting the Body’s Healing Switch

Nicole Longwell
Jul 25
4 min read

Have you ever felt stuck in stress mode—wired, tired, tense, or disconnected? That could be your Vagus nerve (Cranial Nerve X) calling for support.

Illustrated human figure showing the path of the cranial nerve 10, red organs, and yellow nerves against a lilac background. The figure is leaning slightly, with no text visible.

🧠 What Is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is a critical part of your nervous system. It is a quiet powerhouse in your body. As the longest cranial nerve, the vagus nerve connects your brain to your body, specifically, your organs, playing a central role in the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s “rest and digest” mode.

Stress responses, recovery from stress
Heart rate and breathing, Heart rate variability (HRV)
Digestion and gut health
Emotional balance, mood regulation
Inflammation levels

When functioning well, the vagus nerve helps your body shift into “rest and digest.”

When it’s not functioning optimally due to chronic stress, infection, trauma, and/or inflammation, you may feel anxious, inflamed, sluggish, fatigued, have poor sleep, gastrointestinal issues, swallowing or voice issues, changes in blood pressure, cognitive challenges, or be stuck in “fight-or-flight” mode. In other words, having Vagus Nerve issues (under- or overactive) can have body-wide effects.

One gentle yet powerful way to support vagal tone? Massage therapy.

💆‍♀️ How Massage Therapy Supports the Vagus Nerve

Massage therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system—your healing mode. Here’s how:

Releases muscle tension in key vagal pathways (neck, jaw, diaphragm)
Stimulates vagal tone through gentle touch and slow, rhythmic techniques
Lowers inflammation and cortisol, calming the whole system
Encourages breath awareness, improving oxygenation and relaxation

Techniques we use may include:

Craniosacral therapy
Lymphatic drainage massage
Myofascial release in the neck and chest
Swedish massage
Guided breathwork

💆‍♀️ A Little More Specific about Massage Therapy for the Vagus Nerve

Massage helps improve vagus nerve function in several ways:

1. Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System

Massage—especially gentle, rhythmic work like craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, and slow effleurage—stimulates the vagus nerve and shifts your body out of stress response and into recovery.

2. Neck and Cervical Work

Since the vagus nerve passes through the neck, focused massage in the cervical spine, SCM (sternocleidomastoid), and jaw area can support vagal stimulation—often improving breathing, heart rate, and relaxation.

3. Reducing Inflammation

Massage helps lower cortisol and systemic inflammation, both of which impact vagus nerve signaling. This is especially helpful for clients with chronic conditions, autoimmune issues, or long-COVID symptoms.

4. Improving Breath Awareness

Therapists often incorporate breathwork and gentle chest opening—both of which directly influence vagal tone via the diaphragm’s connection to the vagus nerve.

🌿 Common Symptoms of Vagus Nerve Dysfunction

💓 Irregular heart rate or palpitations
😰 Anxiety, panic attacks, or chronic stress
🌀 Dizziness or fainting (especially when standing)
🍽️ Trouble swallowing or feeling like food gets stuck
🤢 Nausea, bloating, or indigestion (gastroparesis)
💩 Constipation or IBS-like symptoms
🥱 Chronic fatigue or low energy
🧠 Brain fog or poor memory
🌡️ Sensitivity to temperature (cold hands/feet)
🗣️ Hoarseness or voice changes
💤 Sleep disturbances or poor sleep quality
🧊 Poor stress tolerance or difficulty calming down
😟 Depression or mood instability
🧎 Muscle weakness or coordination issues
🧬 Chronic inflammation or immune issues

✅ Causes of Vagus Nerve Dysregulation

Chronic stress or anxiety(Overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system reduces vagal tone)
Emotional or physical trauma (Especially from abuse, accidents, or PTSD)
Inflammation and autoimmune conditions (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, long COVID)
Neck or head injury (Whiplash, concussion, or cervical spine dysfunction)
Poor posture and shallow breathing (Limits diaphragm movement and vagal stimulation)
Digestive issues and gut imbalance (IBS, SIBO, leaky gut, and vagus nerve–gut axis disruption)
Viral infections (Long COVID, Epstein-Barr virus, or herpes viruses)
Post-surgical trauma or scar tissue (Especially in the neck, chest, or abdomen)
Fascial restrictions and chronic muscle tension (Especially around the jaw, neck, chest, and diaphragm)
Sleep deprivation or poor circadian rhythm (Disrupts autonomic nervous system regulation)
Toxin or mold exposure (Can affect nerve function and trigger inflammation)

🌿 Who Benefits From Vagus Nerve Support?

Massage for vagus nerve support is helpful for:

Chronic stress or anxiety
Long-COVID fatigue and inflammation
PTSD or trauma recovery
Burnout, sleep disorders, and mood swings
Digestive disorders/imbalances (IBS, bloating, GERD)
Migraines or tension headaches
Autoimmune flares
Sleep disorders or burnout

💡 How Do I Know If My Vagus Nerve Is Balanced?

When your vagus nerve is functioning well, your body tends to operate from a state of rest, regulation, and resilience. This is often referred to as "high vagal tone", and it can be felt in both body and mind.

Here are signs your vagus nerve may be balanced:

💓 Steady, calm heart rate with good variability
🍽️ Healthy digestion—regular bowel movements, minimal bloating
😌 Ability to relax easily after stress or exertion
💤 Restful sleep and easier time falling asleep
🧠 Clearer thinking and improved emotional regulation
😊 Feeling connected, calm, and safe in your environment
🧘‍♀️ A body that shifts easily between activity and relaxation

If you notice these patterns improving over time—especially with regular massage, microcurrent, breathwork, or other vagus-supportive therapies—you’re likely increasing your vagal tone and overall resilience.

❓How many sessions do I need to see results?

While some clients notice a shift after one session, vagus nerve support is often most effective with regular sessions. Your therapist will work with you to create a care plan that fits your needs—whether that’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

❓Can massage therapy for vagus nerve support be combined with other treatments?

Yes! It works beautifully alongside:

Mental health care (therapy, EMDR, Hypnosis)
Chiropractic or osteopathic care
Functional medicine
Breathwork and yoga
Microcurrent therapy

🕯️ Gentle, Consistent Care = Lasting Results

You don’t need to force your body to heal. With regular, personalized sessions, your body learns how to:

Calm down faster
Digest better
Sleep deeper
Feel safer

✨ Final Thought: Heal Your Nervous System, Heal Your Life

Your body doesn’t heal when it’s stuck in stress mode.Massage therapy offers a powerful way to stimulate the vagus nerve, promote rest, and help your body return to balance—naturally.

If you’re feeling stuck in overdrive, massage isn’t a luxury—it’s nervous system medicine.