In recent years, the vagus nerve has taken centre stage, appearing actively on social media platforms. Influencers claim it holds the key to reducing anxiety, regulating the nervous system, and promoting relaxation, sparking a trend seen in countless TikTok and Instagram posts with hashtags like “#vagusnerve” amassing millions of views.

These posts often share methods for “toning” or “resetting” the vagus nerve, ranging from ice water baths, ice packs, and massages to eye exercises and deep-breathing techniques. Capitalizing on this social media trend, wellness companies offer products like “vagus massage oil,” vibrating bracelets, and pillow mists, claiming to stimulate the vagus nerve, despite lacking scientific endorsement.

Research Insights:

While researchers acknowledge the potential mood-enhancing benefits of electrical stimulation through electrodes, the question remains: can the vagus nerve be activated non-invasively, and who would benefit the most from such interventions?

Our body relies on the autonomic nervous system, comprised of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, working in tandem to maintain homeostasis. The sympathetic system acts as the body’s accelerator, triggering the fight-or-flight response, while the parasympathetic system promotes relaxation and restoration.

Vagus Nerve’s Crucial Role:

The vagus nerve, a key component of the parasympathetic system, serves as a communication conduit between the brain and the gut, relaying crucial information about the body’s status. It instructs organs to slow down for rest-and-digest activities or prepare for the fight-or-flight response during stressful situations.

The vagus nerve plays a vital role in the gut-brain connection, forming a neuroendocrine-immune axis. This axis influences the body’s response to inflammation, with the vagus nerve modulating immune responses, especially in the presence of threats such as pathogens.

LMNT and Vagus Nerve Stimulation:

Dr. Lajpatrai Mehra’s Neurotherapy (LMNT) has successfully treated digestive disorders by employing specific techniques that stimulate the vagus nerve. These methods involve a precise sequence of stimulating points behind the ears. Contemporary research is also exploring devices for vagal stimulation through these ear areas.

LMNT’s documented success extends to inflammatory disorders and gut health, effectively addressing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), autoimmune diseases (psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), and neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s). By optimizing vagus nerve function, LMNT enhances digestive organ efficiency, offering a promising avenue for holistic well-being.

Take a closer look at the picture. Do you observe a subtle tilt in the posture of the three gentlemen on the left? This deviation becomes apparent when you analyse the varying lengths of their arms on each side of their bodies. Identified as scoliosis of the spine in medical terms, this postural defect can go unnoticed until it disrupts the bodily functions.

Severe scoliosis presents itself through several observable signs, including:

  1. Uneven eye tilt
  2. Slanting shoulders
  3. Protruding shoulder blades
  4. Ribs asymmetry
  5. Torso leaning
  6. Unbalanced hip alignment
  7. Inconsistency between leg lengths.

Causes of Scoliosis:

In 80% of cases, scoliosis is idiopathic, meaning its cause is unknown. In children, genetic factors, hormones, or changes in cell structure may contribute, while in adults, degenerative changes, injuries, or neuromuscular disorders are often implicated.

LMNT understanding of body tilt:

Dr. Lajpatrai Mehra, with his profound knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, established a connection between navel displacement and the shift in the position of internal organs. This alignment is known as ‘nabhi dharan’ in various Vedic medical texts.

Since the internal organs are attached to muscles that are also attached to the spine; this shift results in the curvature of the spine. It’s a cause-and-effect relationship wherein one can lead to the other. Initially the navel shift may impact digestive process but over time it may disrupt a lot of functions of the body and also cause the structural deformities in the spine.

How to ascertain Navel Displacement:

Dr. Mehra devised simple methods to identify navel displacement:

  1. Stand barefoot in front of a mirror, keeping your body straight with arms by your side. Bend your neck backward; if your arms sway away from the body, your left and right body halves may not be aligned.
  2. While lying down straight in a supine position, check the height of the big toes of the left and right foot. A difference in height may indicate a navel shift.

Impact of Navel Displacement on Health:

  1. Nervous System Interference:
    When spine curves abnormally, it compresses nerves along the inner curve and stretches them along the outer. As a result, nerves struggle to conduct signals regarding sensation to and from your extremities. This may result in radiculopathy, the tingling pain in arms and legs. In severe cases it can affect the nerves that control the bowels and bladder, resulting in incontinence.
  2. Prevents CSF from circulating to the brain
    Scoliosis in the cervical area could cause headaches. It may also prevent the recirculation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to the brain. Reduced levels of CSF can intensify the headaches. It is also being researched that inadequate CSF results in accumulation of abnormal protein in the brain. This is the reason for many neurodegenerative disorders.
  3. Digestive process interruption
    Whenever the spine deviates from its normal position, it takes up the space for other organs. It is the oesophagus, stomach and intestines that suffer the consequences. The abnormal curvature of the neck can constrict the oesophagus, making swallowing difficult. Likewise, compression of the stomach and intestines due to scoliosis can result in host of digestive issues like- acid reflux, nausea, IBS, constipation, inadequate absorption of nutrients.
  4. Reduction of Cardiac output and respiratory capacity
    Severe scoliosis can interfere with the ability to take full deep breaths as the ribs are attached to the spine and when the spine rotates, it forces the ribs to contort in unusual ways. Similarly, severe scoliosis can reduce cardiac output, as the heart also requires space to beat. It causes heart to work harder than necessary and may result in mitral valve prolapse.

Conclusion:

Understanding the relationship between body tilt, navel displacement, and scoliosis is crucial for early detection and proactive management. Dr. Mehra’s insights offer a unique perspective, shedding light on the profound impact such deviations can have on overall health and well-being.