Vagus Nerve and Osteopathy

Male 37 years old. Complaints of periodic attacks of pronounced weakness, instability when walking, chronic fatigue without shortness of breath or other cardiovascular manifestations. Sometimes the neck hurts, symmetrically on both sides, feeling of tension and also several points near the sternum on the left. Two years ago there were two episodes of almost collapse, but without loss of consciousness. Cardiological and neurological examination did not reveal organic changes.

Objective examination: patient is thin, asthenic, facial expression is unemotional. Range of motion in the neck and spine is free, not limited, without pain. Symptoms of nerve and meningeal tension are negative. Muscles are mostly not painful, not tense. Examination of fascia revealed very painful densifications along the central line of the abdomen, above and below the navel, with epicenter in the epigastrium and diaphragm. Neck fascia with pain and densification on the right side in the area of the vagus nerve passage. Corresponding posterior fascia to the anterior ones (anchors) are also painful, especially interspinous in the area from T6 to T8. Tense and sensitive suboccipital muscles. Densification and impaired gliding of the vagus nerve on the right at the top of the neck.

Diagnosis: imbalance of the autonomic nervous system with increased activity of the dorsal vagus, associated visceral dysfunctions (visceral, diaphragm and neck), restrictions of the vagus nerve in the neck on the right and in the epigastric region.

Treatment: fascial manipulations for internal dysfunctions for found densifications of tensing structures of the abdomen and neck, neural manipulations for the vagus nerve in the neck and epigastrium, myofascial release of the suboccipital region. The patient was explained the nature and causes of his symptoms, the connection of all parts of the polyvagal system, recommendations were given for self-regulation of the autonomic nervous system.
☛  Polyvagal manual therapy

Results: improvement of well-being after the first visit, after the second – symptoms of chronic fatigue became even less, the feeling of discomfort in the neck disappeared.

Osteopathy of Vagus Nerve Dysfunction. Conclusions

Interesting case of a polyvagal approach to treatment in manual therapy and beyond. Already during the anamnesis and from the general appearance of the patient, certain observations were made regarding the state in which his nervous system is. During the objective examination, actual bodily dysfunctions directly related to the functioning of the vagus nerve were found, in places of its passage on the right side and fascial dysfunctions of the abdominal organs that are innervated by it.
Treatment was not limited to manual therapy only, the patient was also shown methods that will help balance his autonomic system.

Grigori Tafi
Osteopath, sports medicine physician
15 years of experience in osteopathy and manual therapy. More details...

☛  Whole body pain common reason.
☛  Hearing ringing in silence.