Sound therapy's role in nervous system regulation: Polyvagal Theory explained

10 Jul

For many, the term "polyvagal theory" might sound like complex scientific jargon.

But at its core, it's all about understanding our body's response to safety and danger, and how sound therapy can play a pivotal role in regulating these responses.

As someone who lives with fibromyalgia, a disease of the nervous system, I've experienced firsthand the transformative power of sound and movement in healing and retraining the nervous system.

Sound therapist bringing her nervous system back into tune with her instruments — **My Personal Journey with Fibromyalgia**

Living with fibromyalgia meant grappling with a nervous system that often felt out of sync.

The pain, fatigue, and other symptoms are manifestations of a nervous system holding
onto old stories and traumas.

But through sound therapy, movement, and singing, I began to retrain my nervous system. These practices helped me release the old narratives my body clung to and find a renewed sense of connection and safety within myself.

Triggers and emotions

We all have moments when we're triggered, when past traumas or experiences cause reactive emotions. But through my healing practices, I've learned the power of the pause. Instead of immediately reacting, I've cultivated the ability to stop, observe the emotion with compassion, and let it flow through me.

This practice allows me to remain anchored in the present, preventing past traumas from pulling me back. It's a continuous journey, one that requires dedication and self-awareness, but the liberation it brings is unparalleled.

Understanding the Polyvagal Theory

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the polyvagal theory provides insights into our autonomic nervous system, which controls our unconscious bodily functions like heart rate and digestion.

This system has three primary states:

When we feel safe, our body is relaxed, and we can connect with others.
In response to perceived threats, our body prepares to either confront the danger or flee from it.
In extreme situations, our body might go into a shutdown mode, a state of immobilisation.

A sound therapist playing Tibetan singing bowls on a client's body to bring their nervous system into a state of calm. — **The Vagus Nerve: A bridge to calm**

The vagus nerve, a critical component of the polyvagal theory, acts as a bridge between our brain and major organs.

It plays a significant role in determining which state our body should be in.

Sound therapy, especially through resonant frequencies, can stimulate the vagus nerve, helping shift the body from a fight or flight state to a state of social engagement or relaxation.

Sound therapy: A pathway out of fight or flight

When we experience trauma or prolonged stress, our body can become stuck in the fight or flight mode. This constant state of alertness can be exhausting and detrimental to our overall health.

Sound therapy, by interacting with the vagus nerve, offers a way out. The vibrations and rhythms of sound can coax the nervous system back to a state of balance, promoting relaxation, healing, and well-being.

Understanding the polyvagal theory and the role of the vagus nerve provides a scientific foundation for the transformative power of sound therapy.

By tapping into our body's innate mechanisms and combining them with therapeutic practices, we can navigate and release trauma, finding our way back to a state of balance, connection, and calm.