Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

by Stanley Rosenbery, Stephen W. Porges (Foreword by), Benjamin Shield (Foreword by)

Overview

The best-selling book on the topic—now in 20 languages.

This practical guide to understanding the cranial nerves as the key to our psychological and physical well-being builds on Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory—one of the most important recent developments in human neurobiology. Drawing on more than thirty years of experience as a craniosacral therapist and Rolfer, Stanley Rosenberg explores the crucial role that the vagus nerve plays in determining our psychological and emotional states and explains that a myriad of common psychological and physical symptoms—from anxiety and depression to migraines and back pain—indicates a lack of proper functioning in the vagus nerve.

Through a series of easy self-help exercises, the book illustrates the simple ways we can regulate the vagus nerve in order to initiate deep relaxation, improve sleep, and recover from injury and trauma. Additionally, by exploring the link between a well-regulated vagus nerve and social functioning, Rosenberg’s findings and methods offer new hope that by improving social behavior it is possible to alleviate some of the symptoms at the core of many cases of autism spectrum disorders. Useful for psychotherapists, doctors, bodyworkers, and caregivers, as well as anyone who experiences the symptoms of chronic stress and depression, this book shows how we can optimize autonomic functioning in ourselves and others, and bring the body into the state of safety that activates its innate capacity to heal.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623170240
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	12/05/2017
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	51,394
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

STANLEY ROSENBERG is an American-born author and body therapist. A
Rolfer since 1983 and a practicing craniosacral therapist since 1987, he studied biomechanical craniosacral therapy for many years under Alain
Gehin, trained in craniosacral therapy at the Upledger Institute and in biodynamic craniosacral courses with Giorgia Milne, studied applications for treating children with Benjamin Shield, and took courses in osteopathy with Jean-Pierre Barral.

For many years he led a school in Denmark, teaching structural integration, myofascial release, release of scar tissue, biomechanical craniosacral therapy, visceral massage, and biotensegrity. He is the author of four books, published in Denmark: Nevermore Pain in the
Back, Nevermore Stiff Neck, Pain Relief with Osteomassage, and Hwa
Yu Tai Chi. In addition to his work as a body therapist, he has worked in theater— training actors in yoga, acrobatics, and voice—at various institutions, including Yale University, Brandeis University, Swarthmore
College, and the National Theatre Schools of Denmark and Iceland.
More information about the techniques presented in this book can be found on his website: www.stanleyrosenberg.com.

Table of Contents

Foreword Stephen Porges, PhD xi

Foreword Benjamin Shield, PhD xv

Acknowledgments xvii

Preface xix

Introduction: The Autonomic Nervous System xxv

Part 1 Anatomical Facts Old and New: The Polyvagal Theory 1

Overcoming Health Challenges: Are You Fighting the Heads of the Hydra? 1

The Heads of the Hydra: Common Problems Related to Cranial- Nerve Dysfunction 3

Chapter 1 Get to Know Your Autonomic Nervous System 7

The Twelve Cranial Nerves 7

Cranial Nerve Dysfunction and Social Engagement 13

Treating the Cranial Nerves 21

The Spinal Nerves 22

The Enteric Nervous System 26

Chapter 2 The Polyvagal Theory 29

The Three Circuits of the Autonomic Nervous System 29

Goldilocks and the Three ANS States 30

The Five States of the Autonomic Nervous System 33

The Vagus Nerve 36

Two Branches of the Nerve Called "Vagus" 39

Stress and the Sympathetic Nervous System 49

Chapter 3 Neuroception and Faulty Neuroception 57

Faulty Neuroception and Survival 57

Other Causes of Faulty Neuroception 61

The Story of Antaeus 62

Chapter 4 Testing the Ventral Branch of the Vagus Nerve 65

Simple Evaluation from Facial Observation 65

Objectively Evaluating Vagal Function through Heart Rate Variability (HRV) 69

Testing for Vagal Function: Early Experiences 71

Discovering the Polyvagal Theory 73

Testing for Vagal Function: Cottingham, Porges, and Lyon 78

A Simple Test of the Pharyngeal Vagus Branch 81

How to Test for Pharyngeal Ventral Branch Function 82

Therapists can Test for Vagal Function without Touching 84

Chapter 5 The Polyvagal Theory-A New Paradigm for Health Care? 87

A Polyvagal Approach for Psychological and Physical Conditions 88

The Healing Power of the Polyvagal Theory 91

Relieving COPD and Hiatal Hernia 91

Trea ting a Hiatal Hernia 98

Diaphragmatic Breathing 101

Shoulder, Neck, and Head Pain: CN XI, Trapezius, and SCM 102

The Levator Scapulae Muscle 104

The "Trap Squeeze Test" for Shoulder and Neck Problems 115

Health Problems Related to Forward Head Posture 117

Relieving Migraine Headaches 123

Chapter 6 Somatopsychological Problems 131

Anxiety and Panic Attacks 135

Phobias 141

Antisocial Behavior and Domestic Violence 143

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 151

Depression and the Autonomic Nervous System 156

Bipolar Disorder 157

ADHD and Hyperactivity 161

Chapter 7 Autism Spectrum Disorders 163

Hope for Autism: The Listening Project Protocol 166

The Role of Hearing in Autism Spectrum Disorders 171

Treating Autism 177

Technique for Rounding a Flat Back of the Head 178

Concluding Remarks 183

Part 2 Exercises to Restore Social Engagement 185

The Basic Exercise 186

Neuro-Fascial Release Technique for Social Engagement 195

The Salamander Exercises 199

Massage for Migraines 204

SCM Exercise for a Stiff Neck 206

Twist and Turn Exercise for the Trapezius 208

A Four-Minute Natural Facelift, Part 1 212

A Four-Minute Natural Facelift, Part 2 217

Severing all the Heads of the Hydra 219

Notes 221

Index 233

About the Author 239

Appendix 245

Editorial Reviews

Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve is Stanley Rosenberg’s personal expression of his insight into and appreciation of the role that vagal pathways play in the healing process by calming the body and enabling the body to welcome touch. By intuitively understanding this integrated process, Stanley has developed a system of manipulations that promote states of safety, allowing the body to retune the nervous system, thus optimizing behavior, mental health, and physiological homeostasis.… His powerful insights, metaphors, and treatment models are beautifully conveyed and archived.”—From the foreword by Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Distinguished University Scientist, Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, and professor of psychiatry, University of North Carolina
 
“Stanley Rosenberg has put his encyclopedic clinical knowledge to work through the lens of the Polyvagal Theory, illuminating the path away from the underlying cause of so much of today’s disease: anxiety. A tour de force.”—Tom Myers, author of Anatomy Trains
 
“Stanley Rosenberg is one of the world’s most skilled and creative hands-on therapists. His diagnostic and treatment techniques have immediate application for everyone. Read and enjoy this book, and apply the techniques in your life or in your practice.”—James L. Oschman, PhD, author of Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis
 
“An excellent and most valuable resource, written by one of the true masters in the field.”— Dr. Robert Schleip, director of the Fascia Research Group

From the Publisher