$30 for 30 minutes – calm your nervous system!

Free to Helene evacuees!

The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve (CN X) and originates in the brain stem. From there it travels down via the throat to all of the internal organs, thereby influencing digestion, respiration, circulation and reproduction. There is also an innervation to the outer ear, which makes it easy to treat with auricular therapy. 

Moreover, the vagus nerve controls the autonomic nervous system, which houses the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. “Toning” the vagus nerve via different exercises, and/or treating it with modalities such as auricular acupuncture, have proven to exert the most influence on the parasympathetic branch, aka the “rest, digest and repair” nervous system.

Studies using the specific auricular treatment offered at Cape Fear Acupuncture have shown marked improvement in patients suffering from traumatic brain injuries, PTSD and anxiety in general.

Here are just two studies that also examined pain relief and depression:

• Neural networks and the anti-inflammatory effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in depression
• Non-invasive Access to the Vagus Nerve Central Projections via Electrical Stimulation of the External Ear: fMRI Evidence in Humans

Vagus nerve treatment is being studied for many hard to treat vasovagal disorders such as POTS and dysautonomia as well.

The auricular vagus nerve treatment may be included in many private acupuncture treatments at Cape Fear Acupuncture, but patients may also book individual sessions for $30 for 30 minutes. Tropical Storm Helene evacuees living in the Wilmington area may request vagus nerve therapy free of charge.