Why Nervous System Dysregulation Is Not Always Emotional or Psychological. The root causes of a dysregulated nervous system that is not talked about enough.
Most nervous system dysregulation conversations today are missing a HUGE piece of the puzzle, that actually can be quite damaging to certain types of clients.
So many therapists are just focusing on the emotional or psychological aspect of a dysregulated nervous system. Instead of looking at each client from a more holistic perspective. And it is causing a lot of mis-information and harm to too many clients.
Not Every Nervous System Dysregulation Is Purely Emotional
Not every nervous system issue is purely emotional or psychological. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself in the right conditions.
The problem is sometimes the body is under a great deal of physical stress or even physical trauma that can create all sorts of serious misalignment and structural issues. That if not addressed can create havoc on the nervous system, keeping it in the fight and flight response especially in brainstem issues.
Now these postural and structural issues can happen for all sorts of reasons; such as congenital abnormalities, physical trauma and injury such as accidents, assaults and even medical procedures going wrong. And if not addressed at the time can lead to all sorts of nerve irritation or physical pressure on the body such as
- cervical instability
- teeth and dental issues
- jaw tension and misalignment
- posture and alignment issues
- chronic muscle guarding
- Eagle Syndrome
- vagus nerve irritation
- spinal issues
- structural compression
These are just some of the things that can impact how safe, regulated, and grounded your nervous system feels. And despite many therapists implying they are holistic, it’s mostly body workers such as osteopaths, chiropractors, craniosacral therapists, relaxation therapists and those who teach things like the Alexander Technique that are highlighting these issues.
Yet so many people including sensitive people or those with nervous system dysregulation challenges are constantly told:
“just breathe”
“just meditate”
“just regulate your thoughts”
or “just do this vagus nerve stimulation technique or tool” and everything will be fine.
While their body is still be stuck in a state of extreme physical stress or compensation. Due to serious physical misalignment issues. It is why a believe in a more holistic approach to nervous system regulation. And it is why I believe grounding, posture and physical alignment are so important alongside treating the mental and emotional aspects of nervous system regulation.
Why Grounding Is So Important In Nervous System Regulation
Grounding is
- Physical.
- Neurological.
- Somatic.
- Structural.
Sometimes the nervous system is not resisting safety…
It cannot physically access it properly until the deeper layers are supported.
This is why true healing often requires:
- nervous system support
- emotional healing
- physical alignment
- rest
- relaxation
- safety
- body awareness
- deeper investigation into root causes
Especially for empaths and highly sensitive people.
The body matters.
The neck matters.
The vagus nerve matters.
Feeling physically supported matters.
Too many are told to do all sorts of vagus nerve stimulation techniques, which are not always safe or effective for their core issues.
Cervical Misalignment And Nervous System Regulation
Every day, so many bodyworkers, especially upper cervical chiropractors like Top Chiropractic Clinic in Edinburgh, see clients with upper cervical issues and other structural issues that are the root cause of so much of their nervous system dysregulation.
I was one of those clients who had been suffering from all sorts of rare neurological complications and nervous system dysregulation issues and painful hyperacusis for 13 years, despite being someone who had been teaching in the stress management field for over 25 years.
After a history of injuries to my jaw, mouth and head and sepsis, I developed all sorts of balance, pain, and sensory issues. Disabling noise sensitivity in the right ear, which would trigger all sorts of functional and nervous system regulation issues.
Sensory Sensitive And Nervous System Dysregulation
Literally the world around me; sounds, vibration, light, movement seem to dial up to over 600% than what it did before. But it wasn’t until I had a cone beam scan at the upper cervical chiropractor in Edinburgh. And was treated with gentle upper cervical manipulation did a lot of the pressure from my skull, neck, hips, even legs and feet dramatically reduce.
It was how unbelievable how quickly my nervous system seem to dial down; feel so much stronger, calm and balanced with the slightest manipulation. I felt very quickly more structurally stable again than I had in years, which helped me feel more centred, grounded and energetically resilient.
Eagle Syndrome And Nervous System Dysregulation
Now, along this path, I discovered that I also had Eagle Syndrome – an overgrown styloid process growing from my skull down into my neck, which can cause all sorts of neurological and nervous system problems. Due to the fact it grows down amongst major nerves, arteries and the Vagus Nerve.
Postural Alignment And Nervous System Regulation
I spent years trying to address alignment issues with postural approaches like going to the Alexander Technique for a year. And although a lot of these helped at times, improved my function at some sort of level. I spent tens of thousands of pounds on all sorts of bodywork and other therapies that were still actually treating more of the symptoms than more of the root causes.
Posture plays a huge part in being able to ground and into helping support your nervous system. But first the root causes of structural issues have to be addressed.
Heavy Metal Toxicity And The Nervous System
Now another thing worth mentioning in relation the nervous system is neurotoxicity caused by heavy metals which can create all sorts of havoc on the immune system, hormones and nerve system.
Healing The Nervous System
This is why like a lot of things, I believe healing the nervous system needs a more person centred holistic approach. Rather than just a one size fit all approach for all of your clients.
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