Polyvagal Theory || By Chardin Bersto MA
What is “polyvagal”? It is an expression of our nervous system that regulates the organ systems of our bodies, the heart and lungs above our diaphragm, and the organs of our digestive system below the diaphragm. It is related to the Vagus Nerve which wanders down through the center of our body, Vagus, literally, means to “wander”.
The best way to describe it would be for you to recall a stressful moment. Maybe it was in a relationship with a friend, or a co-worker, or your child. Take a moment, as you recall a situation and feel the sensation that arises in your body. Notice where this sensation arises and be present with it and breathe. Breathe into it and notice what happens when you just allow it to be there.
Recall is a beautiful tool. It’s like the built in code that allows us memories. For survival purposes, some memories save our lives, allowing us to make choices that keep us safe. On the other hand, some don’t function so well, stopping us in our tracks and freezing us from moving forward.
Now what
How do we tell the difference between functional memory and dysfunctional. It lies in the breath. If it causes a state of breathlessness then it’s the body telling us to stop and take notice. This is an important step because when stress ensues, blood supply is taken away from the vital organs, the heart, the lungs, digestive organs, and the brain. Blood is shunted off to the muscles, preparing us for “fight/flight”. You may have noticed, a person under stress doesn’t make clear and effective choices.
You have probably noticed these kinds of experiences in your life. After all the organism is geared toward survival. Whenever a “threat” is perceived, the organism responds with an “alarm”. That “alarm” is rooted in sensation. It’s like looking in your mirror and seeing a police car. This response is set off by beliefs we have related to good, bad, danger, or self-perception. When these show up, the most important message from our body is to take notice.
Let’s practice. Recall a situation that asked you to take notice. Now, this doesn’t have to be a situation of risk. We so easily take this path. It could be one of reverie, or excitement. Whatever it is, be present with it. Notice any subtle nuances, where does the sensation show up in the body, is it in one place or numerous places, like the constellations in the night sky. Don’t try to understand it, or deny it, just be with it. It’s a good idea to take notes when doing this exercise because once you leave the sensation, it is easily forgotten, like a dream.
The science
What is going on in the body, and why does it show up like this? As we experience the world, in those vulnerable moments as a newborn child, we are raw to our sensation, all our senses are open to discovery. With no words it is merely sensation. The nervous system is setting the stage for perception.
Perception theory states it like this, we experience through all the senses, sight, sound, smell, and touch. This information is delivered to various areas of the brain, sorted out, then we make our “best guess”. So, in essence, everybody on the planet is doing this.
So, we collect all the sensations and as the environment feeds back to us, through our “primary” care givers, words to associate with sensations we are expressing. Now, this is where it gets tricky. What if the face of the baby is contorted with what is assumed to be discomfort. What might be gas in the belly is named anger and the care giver says “oh, don’t be angry”. The baby, through association, registers anger. Two things happen here, one, the sensation is categorized as anger, and the suppression is introduced by the word “don’t”. The belly begins to cramp.
This is a simplistic example and as we move through the blog you will learn the essence of how the experiences and our responses get set into motion and how it is set up as patterns on response. Every time we get into stressful situations there is a patterned way we respond. This shows up in our language, in our tone of voice, and expression on our face. It is said it takes 1,000 frowns to create a wrinkle.
About the Author: Chardin has been an Adjunct Practitioner at People house since 1998. He is the creator of Advanced Body Therapeutics (ABT). It is a new orientation of creating synergy in the body systems. ABT uses assessment tools from Osteopathic Theory, Chinese Five Element Theory, Applied Kinesiology, Yoga Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and Structural Therapies to determine the relationship of the metabolic systems of the body as well as address common structural issues related to stress or trauma.
The goal in his body work is to create balance in the body and neutralize the polyvagal responses. In doing so, it reduces pain, calms emotion upset, and strengthens the immune system.
Chardin’s web address is www.abtherapeutics.net
