What is the Vagus Nerve?
The Vagus Nerve is the 10th Cranial Nerve. It is the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system. It starts in the brain and then wanders down the body into the lungs, heart and diaphragm, and then down to the abdominal organs. The Vagus Nerve helps calm your body after you’ve been in a stressful situation. It acts as our internal control system, allowing the brain to monitor and receive information about crucial bodily functions such as immune response, digestion, mood and heart rate, which are all managed with the support of the Vagus Nerve.
Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory demonstrates that the Vagus Nerve functions through two independent pathways; Ventral and Dorsal, which both offer vital functions for the body and nervous system. The Ventral pathway promotes communication, regulation, safety and social engagement. Whereas the Dorsal pathway flows through the abdominal organs and functions with a more primitive nature that can induce immobilisation and shut down in response to stress. When our Vagal Tone is high, the body can move between and benefit from both of these pathways. When low, we may remain “stuck” in a freeze or shutdown response following stressful events. The interplay between Ventral and Dorsal forms our social interactions, emotional experiences and overall well-being.
What is Gentle Release Therapy for the Vagus Nerve?
Helen Robinson and Sara Agnew have been developing the Gentle Release Vagus Nerve Treatment Protocol and alongside the positive anecdotal feedback from our clients we are very excited to find we are able to measure its effectiveness using stress measurements using Oura Rings, Garmin watches and also blood pressure. The treatments are equally effective whether given virtually or in person. The final protocol will likely be split into 4 sections. The length of sessions depend on the client however they are likely to be about 90 min - 2 hour treatments.
The data from any health tracking device will show when another session would be beneficial as stress levels would start to increase again. Whilst the first session would create many positive changes, the whole protocol would take at least 3 treatments, maybe 4, each lasting 90 mins to 2 hours. Treatments need to be spaced a minimum of 10 days apart to allow changes to be integrated gradually. I'm currently charging £80 per vagus nerve treatment.
We are very excited to see how this treatment can support a wide variety of health problems including fertility, anxiety, depression, IBS, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, weight management, managing pain, blood pressure, perimenopause and menopause, autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, endometriosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see some of the data collected so far.
On a more emotional and spiritual level, we know how Gentle Release Therapy can help us let go of blocks we are holding onto at all levels, physical, emotional and spiritual. The fear and patterns we have been holding in our Vagus Nerve, sometimes since birth can deeply affect our physiology and how our body functions. It is so interesting to read about the centres of the brain connected with the vagus nerve and how they:
- process what we see and hear to interpret fear
- emotions connected to memories
- behaviour related to addictions and chronic pain
- unconscious memory
- aggression
- social behaviour, communication and understanding
- sensory processing
- regulates actions and emotions
- focus, planning, insight, predicting consequences, estimating risks
- executive function, working memory
- impulse control
- vocalising internal states
- food intake
Training
The training is available as CPD to existing Gentle Release Therapy Practitioners and students that have not yet submitted their coursework. We are not at this moment paying for accreditation for this course as that will take time and money and we are keen you and your clients get the benefit of this treatment as soon as possible.
Day 1 - Ventral Release
Day 2 - Dorsal Release
Day 3 - Brain areas associated with Vagus function release
Upcoming Courses
Teaching will be live on zoom from 9.30am to 2.30pm each day and there will also be material on the online platform to read and go through in your own time. It would be very helpful if you could have a couple of Gentle Release Therapy Treatments prior to the course, either from yourself or from a practitioner….please book the time in your diary now…it will mean you get more from the treatments. Also, please try to be gentle with your schedule in the days following the course, perhaps build in some flexibility so that you can go with how your feeling after receiving your treatment.
Course 1 - Fully Booked
Tuesday 30th April
Tuesday 21st May
Tuesday 4th June
Course 2 - Fully Booked
Thursday 2nd May
Thursday 23rd May
Thursday 6th June
Course 3 - Only 1 place left
Wednesday 12th June
Wednesday 26th June
Wednesday 10th July
Course 4
Saturday 22nd June
Saturday 6th July
Saturday 20th July
If you can't make these sets of dates please let us know what dates times would suit you better and we can see if we have enough to schedule another course.
Course Cost
The course will eventually be at least £375, however if you book onto either of these first courses we will discount to £275. If the course ends up being longer, we will also honour any additional teaching days within the £275. We would ask for a £100 deposit to confirm your space, but if that is a problem and you do really want to come please let us know. You are more than welcome to pay in instalments. Course notes and handouts will be available to print yourself from the platform. If you would like to receive a printed set there will be an additional charge of £10 (including UK postage). For international postage cost please contact us.
Course Tutors will be Helen Robinson and/or Sara Agnew.
Complete the form here to book
The Gentle Release Vagus Nerve Treatment was powerful on all levels. I had a distance session and was instantly aware of a connection. The experience took me on a very spiritual journey as well as being aware of physical sensations in my body. I felt a very strong connection to life itself, everybody and every living thing. Very beautiful experience. I still feel more energised and clear a few weeks following my first treatment.
'My Vagus Nerve has probably been on high alert since my birth, and I've had numerous stressful events along my journey in life so far, and I knew my body wasn't functioning as it should be and could be better. Since receiving the Vagus Nerve treatments I have noticed a dramatic shift in my hormones, my progesterone is now actually doing what it should be doing, which I assume is because cortisol (stress hormone) has lowered which has meant my body had what it needed to create progesterone at better levels. I've also noticed my sleep has dramatically improved, the nights where I would wake up with my mind racing have pretty much disappeared and the length of my sleep has also increased. I have so much more energy, focus and clearer thinking. I'm able to exercise and recover much more quickly than I would have done previously. I'm excited to see what other changes come about as we continue to release in future treatments.'
'I decided to try the Gentle Release Therapy for Vagus Nerve treatment because I have been struggling with anxiety for a long time and more recently have developed high blood pressure and heart palpitations.
After one treatment, my blood pressure dropped (from 140/90 to 123/88) over the following two weeks. I also felt slightly calmer as the days went on. I have already booked my second treatment and look forward to feeling the benefits!'
