A New Path to Healing Trauma: The Power of the Vagus Nerve

A New Way to Heal Trauma: Vagus Nerve Stimulation

At Hidden Trail Therapy, I believe in blending the best of science and heart-centered care to help you feel safe, whole, and at home in your body. The newest approach to my pracitce is an exciting one and it supports vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

The vagus nerve is like your body’s calming superhighway; it helps shift you out of “fight or flight” and into a state of rest and safety. When we can tap into this pathway, it supports deeper healing from stress and trauma.

A recent study looked at using VNS alongside therapy for PTSD. The results were incredible: every participant no longer met criteria for PTSD six months after treatment. By stimulating the vagus nerve during therapy, the brain becomes more flexible and open to change, making it easier to process painful experiences and feel more at ease.

While VNS is still being studied, it highlights something important: healing isn’t just about talking, it’s also about helping the body feel safe enough to let go.

At Hidden Trails Therapy, I weave in body-based approaches like somatic work, breath, and gentle nervous system support so you can move through old pain and reconnect with your life in a meaningful way.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in survival mode or weighed down by past experiences, you’re not alone and there is hope. Healing isn’t linear, and we can take an approach that supports you every step of the way. Reach out today to hear more about how Safe and Sound Protocol and Rest and Restore Protocols can support your journey.

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Serving women across Oregon and Colorado

Sources:
Neuroscience News — Vagus nerve stimulation shows promise for PTSD