Are Your Concussion Symptoms Caused by the Vagus Nerve?
The Hidden Link Between Concussions and the Vagus Nerve
If you’re struggling with lingering concussion symptoms, your vagus nerve may be the missing piece of the puzzle. The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating the autonomic nervous system, controlling functions such as heart rate, digestion, and inflammation. Concussions can disrupt vagus nerve function, leading to a wide range of symptoms that many people don’t immediately associate with head injuries. [1]
How Concussions Affect the Vagus Nerve
Concussions impact the brain’s ability to regulate the autonomic nervous system, often leading to sympathetic dominance—an overstimulated "fight-or-flight" response. This imbalance affects:
Brain-Gut Connection – The vagus nerve is a key player in digestion, and a concussion can cause issues such as loss of appetite, nausea, and bloating. [1][2]
Neuroinflammation – Traumatic brain injuries trigger inflammation, which can further impair vagus nerve function and slow recovery.
Autonomic Dysregulation – Many post-concussion symptoms, like dizziness, heart rate irregularities, and trouble swallowing, are linked to vagus nerve dysfunction. [1]
Symptoms of Vagus Nerve Dysfunction Post-Concussion
If your vagus nerve has been affected by a concussion, you might experience:
Hoarse voice or difficulty swallowing
Digestive issues like gastroparesis, nausea, or IBS [2]
Muscle cramping and poor circulation
Irregular heart rate or blood pressure fluctuations
Fatigue and difficulty managing stress
Can You Restore Vagus Nerve Function After a Concussion?
The good news is that the vagus nerve can be stimulated and retrained to restore balance to the nervous system. Some effective approaches include:
Manual Therapy and Brainstem Desensitization
At the Headache Clinic, our treatments target the brainstem’s role in post-concussion recovery. By addressing brainstem sensitivity and vagus nerve dysfunction, we help regulate the autonomic nervous system and speed up recovery.
Natural Ways to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve
You can also support vagus nerve function through:
Deep breathing exercises to activate the parasympathetic nervous system [3]
Cold exposure, such as cold showers or face immersion, to trigger vagus nerve activity [3]
Gentle exercise and stretching to improve circulation
Massage, humming, and singing to stimulate nerve pathways
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
If you’re experiencing unexplained post-concussion symptoms, your vagus nerve could be a key factor. The Headache Clinic excels in treating brainstem dysfunction and vagus nerve-related complications to help restore nervous system balance and promote full recovery.
References:
Shi C, Flanagan SR, Samadani U. Vagus nerve stimulation to augment recovery from severe traumatic brain injury impeding consciousness: a prospective pilot clinical trial. Neurol Res. 2013 Apr;35(3):263-76. doi: 10.1179/1743132813Y.0000000167. PMID: 23485054; PMCID: PMC4568744.
Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4568744/.Kharrazian D. Traumatic brain injury and the effect on the brain-gut axis. Altern Ther Health Med. 2015 Aug;21 Suppl 3:28-32. PMID: 26348611.
Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26348611/.Wim Hof Method. Vagus nerve stimulation. Wim Hof Method [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jan 22]. Available from: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/vagus-nerve-stimulation.