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?
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
- and have an optimally functioning gut
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 environment
demands can interfere with this communication and shift the body out of its restorative state.
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.