Can you think of a stressful time that led to a change in your appetite and your digestion felt completely off? Maybe a tough day at work led to food choices that didn’t feel like your norm?
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How Stress and Your Gut Are Connected
This is not random. Your brain and gut are constantly communicating, and stress can impact how these two talk to each other.
The brain and gut communicate to each other via the nervous system, which controls:
- Digestion
- Healing
- All-around recovery
You have probably heard of your parasympathetic nervous system, or “rest and digest” response, and this communication system is precisely that.
Whenever your body is able to enter your rest and digest mode, you are able to:
- Break down food
- Absorb nutrients
- Regulate inflammation
- Have an optimally functioning gut
The Role of the Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve is responsible for facilitating this connection, and when it is working efficiently, the body is able to regulate digestion and emotional responses. Stress, injury, and daily environmental demands can interfere with this communication and shift the body out of its restorative state.
How Craniosacral Therapy Helps
Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on therapy that focuses on the skull, spine, pelvis, and connective tissue system. During a session, restrictions in these areas are addressed to help improve mobility and reduce tension throughout the body. Since the vagus nerve travels through areas near the base of the skull and upper neck, reducing tension in these regions may help support nervous system regulation and improve communication between the brain and gut.
When the nervous system is more balanced and able to shift into a relaxed, restorative state, you will notice improvements in symptoms such as bloating, irregular bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, and stress-related digestive changes. By supporting the body’s natural ability to self-regulate, CST offers a way to optimize your body’s potential to chill out, absorb your food better, and have a healthier digestive system.
