Why Nervous System Regulation Matters

The concept of nervous system regulation is gaining traction. People are becoming more and more aware of the negative effects that a chronically dysregulated nervous system has on their lives. 

Let’s dig into this a bit. What does “nervous system regulation” really mean? 

Simply put, nervous system regulation refers to our ability to manage the activity of our autonomic nervous system, the control center for involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion.

When faced with a perceived threat, your sympathetic nervous system kicks into "fight or flight" mode, flooding the body with adrenaline and cortisol. 

You are not broken. Your nervous system is designed to respond to stress.  

This function is important for survival. It is not a good idea for you to be in a calm, relaxed, non-reactive place when a hungry tiger is running toward you. You want to be ready to run or fight. However, we live in an interesting time where the stimulation of our modern life often affects our nervous systems as if it were a serious threat. In other words, your nervous system has not yet learned to tell the difference between being chased by a tiger and being bombarded by the busy-ness, complexity, and trauma of daily life.

Essentially, your nervous system believes it is being chased by a tiger every day, and so it stays in a chronically dysregulated state (fight or flight). 

Cue adrenaline and cortisol. 

When both adrenaline and cortisol are chronically elevated, their effects can compound, creating a cascade of negative health consequences. 

One of the most immediate impacts of nervous system dysregulation is on our emotional state. This can show up as anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. 

Beyond emotional well-being, nervous system dysregulation has significant physical consequences. Chronic stress is linked to a wide range of issues, including cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, weakened immune function, and sleep disturbances. 

By learning to regulate your nervous system, you can mitigate these risks and promote long-term physical health. This begs the question: 

How do you regulate your nervous system? 

So glad you asked! The short answer is that you need to teach your nervous system to move out of fight or flight and into a parasympathetic state. A parasympathtic state is responsible for "rest and digest." This is when we are calm, and our body can repair and heal. 

The good news is that there are numerous techniques to help you get there. Here are a few simple ones: 

• Breathwork

• Mindfulness & Meditation 

• Movement & Exercise 

• Spending Time in Nature

• Social Connection

• Sleep

• Massage

• Craniosacral Therapy

All of these methods are wonderful and effective and worth pursuing. As you have probably already guessed, I’m most focused on the impact of craniosacral therapy (CST) on the nervous system. 

CST helps your body shift from a fight-or-flight state to a parasympathetic state. CST helps to release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports all the body's structures. This release of tension can improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which can impact the function of the central nervous system and promote a sense of calm.

In essence, CST works by gently addressing the physical structures that house and support the central nervous system, thereby promoting a state of relaxation and bringing your body back into balance.

What is so important to note here is that if physical restrictions are keeping your nervous system locked on fight or flight, then until those restrictions are released, you will have an uphill battle trying to regulate your system.

Release the restrictions. Restore balance.

Developing nervous system regulation is an ongoing process, not a quick fix. The more I work with craniosacral therapy, the more I see that nervous system regulation is not only important to your health but also essential to your quality of life.