Weekly Newsletter:

July 2, 2025

The familiar:

Voluntary movement or the THE SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: The brain (you) tells your body to move. (We could break it down more, but no need for that in this discussion.)

For example if you want to you can decide to— “Pick up your spoon and have a sip of soup.” No problem…

Unless you have a paralysis:  

Without getting too “down and dirty” — most folks get this pretty simple concept. We can move our body as we need or want, in most circumstances. 

But… when paralyzed?:  

The connection between the brain and the body is disturbed. Like perhaps after a stroke. Or peripheral nerve damage.

But NOT so familiar:  

The Involuntary connection between brain and body:

Involuntary movement or the THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

 They work to balance each other…

Perhaps by understanding a little more about our nervous system anatomy we CAN control these “involuntary” responses.

Here’s The Vagus Nerve: 

The Vagus nerve is a major player in the Parasympathetic Nervous System.  

• Digestion.
• Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration (breathing).
• Immune system responses.
• Mood.
• Mucus and saliva production.
• Skin and muscle sensations.

Here are some tried and true techniques to talk to your body, to relax your body:

• Biofeedback.
• Breathing exercises.
• Forest therapy.
• Mindfulness.
• Meditation.
• Tai chi.
• Yoga.

Cleveland Health Clinic website: 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-does-the-vagus-nerve-do

Here’s a short YouTube video that guides you through calming your nervous system with your breath. Try it—you just might like it!

— Susan Musicant, DPT

Injury Prevention Coordinator at DayBreak

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