Nervous System and Polyvagal Theory
There are 12 cranial nerves that live in the brain and brain stem and they are directly affected by the skin of the face and neck. These nerves are responsible for our facial expressions - so necessary in human evolution - and in intuiting whether another person is in the right state of mind for social engagement. The Vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) has two branches and together they regulate the heart, lungs, stomach, detox organs and sympathetic and parasympathetic states.
If you’re living in chronic mobilized fight or flight, muscle tension can abound and so premature aging is more likely because the scalp, neck and facial muscles are in a constant restrictive state, causing adhesions to form and nerve supply to be cut off. Inflammatory issues like acne and poor immune function can also be common for people who are not regulating from fight or flight.
If you’re living in an immobilized state of dorsal shutdown (freeze state) you could experience lack of muscle tone leading to sagging and premature aging as well as poor immune function.
If you stay in these chronic states your body puts healing on the back burner.
Polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges in the 1990’s, suggests that it’s not just fight or flight or dorsal shutdown though…
Within Polyvagal theory there are 6 states of the nervous system (last slide for pic). 3 of these are blends of states, which allow for us to feel safe enough to “play” together AND feel safe enough to be intimate and cuddle together (best things in life imo ☺️)
Remember that humans evolved to co-regulate. We are special when it comes to evolution BECAUSE of our need to connect with each other and nature. Not every animal evolved to have two branches of the Vagus nerve like humans have - the dorsal was first (freeze, rest and digest) and the ventral branch evolved later (fight or flight and play), solidifying our deep seated need for connection and community.
Touch is the most powerful way to co-regulate and encourage a relaxed nervous system. It is the number one reason why I focus on massage using my hands during my treatments. I love gua sha but NOTHING will ever compare to hands imo 🙌🏼 The more you practice regulating your nervous system into a relaxed state the better you get at recognizing when you’re holding excess tension in your muscles from fight or flight - or when you’ve gone into the “flat effect” from the freeze state.
It seems so simple - yet a good facial with the right kind of massage can have a hugely positive trickle down.
