Do you suffer from chronic fatigue, dizziness, fainting, swallowing difficulties, hoarseness, or persistent anxiety? Do digestive issues or brain fog keep you from living your life? If any of these symptoms sound all too familiar, you’re not alone, and your body may be trying to tell you something important: the gut-brain connection known as your vagus nerve may be impaired. 

However, don’t worry! At Core Wellness in Little Falls, NJ, we offer a compassionate, root-cause approach to treating vagus nerve dysfunction—one that empowers the body’s natural healing mechanisms by restoring balance to the nervous system. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, our plan of attack focuses on removing the interference that prevents the body from functioning optimally, meaning that you can get back to feeling like yourself 

What Is the Vagus Nerve? 

The vagus nerve is the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the longest and most complex of the 12 cranial nerves. As it travels from the brainstem through the neck and chest, all the way to the abdomen, it acts like an “information superhighway” by connecting to almost every major internal organ. 

The importance of the vagus nerve lies in the fact that the PNS is often referred to as the “rest and digest” system. It counterbalances the “fight or flight” response by helping the body return to a state of calm after stress by controlling involuntary processes like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. It also stimulates the contraction of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and the secretion of digestive enzymes and stomach acid. About 80-90% of its fibers are sensory, carrying data from the heart, lungs, and gut to the brain. With the number

of important tasks the vagus nerve completes, vagus nerve dysfunction can result in a plethora of issues. 

What Is Vagus Nerve Dysfunction? 

Vagus nerve dysfunction occurs when this gut-brain connection is irritated or compressed, often due to spinal misalignments, chronic stress, or trauma. This can lead to symptoms such as digestive issues, anxiety, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and poor immune function. Other symptoms that patients may experience are: 

– Digestive issues (bloating, constipation) 

– Anxiety or depression 

– Brain fog 

– Fatigue 

– Irregular heartbeat 

– Poor immune function 

How Can I Fix Vagus Nerve Dysfunction? 

When patients first come to me with this concern, my first step is listening—to your symptoms, your concerns, and your health history. From there, I perform a comprehensive evaluation that includes vagus nerve testing, bio-structural testing, neurological scans, and digital X-rays to locate areas of spinal stress or misalignment. In doing this, my goal is to uncover the root cause of vagus nerve interference and create a personalized care plan that supports long-term healing. 

Once the root cause has been identified, my non-force chiropractic care corrects spinal misalignments (subluxations) that interfere with vagus nerve signaling. By gently removing this nerve interference, I can help restore proper communication between the brain and body, allowing the autonomic nervous system to function normally and reducing symptoms associated with vagus nerve dysfunction, without cracking or twisting. My adjustments are precise and tailored to each patient’s comfort level, making them ideal for individuals with neurological sensitivity or chronic stress. 

After treatment, my patients often report improvements in: 

– Digestion and gut health 

– Emotional regulation and mood 

– Sleep quality 

– Heart rate variability 

– Stress resilience and energy levels 

Dr. JoAnn’s Commitment to You at Core Wellness 

I have been in chiropractic practice for over 25 years, and my mission is vitality, health, and helping people live life to the fullest. Whether you struggle with vagus nerve dysfunction or any other condition that you feel has been swept under the rug, it is with that dedication that I

deliver state-of-the-art care and create individualized Corrective Care Programs to specifically personalize treatment. We do more than simply utilize the most advanced tools available to see what your body has been trying to tell you—we understand your story. 

If you’re ready to explore the possible root causes of your symptoms, I invite you to schedule a new patient exam at Core Wellness in Little Falls, NJ, to begin your custom care plan. I would be honored to help you get relief now and back to doing all the things you love to do!