Polyvagal Theory: Understanding Trauma and Supporting Nervous System Regulation
Welcome to our little corner of holistic well-being in Texas, where we explore how the mind-body connection shapes our emotional health and everyday experiences. Today, we’d like to highlight the polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, to illustrate how our bodies navigate safety, connection, and survival responses—especially under the effects of trauma or prolonged stress.
If you’ve been following our practice for a while, you know we frequently address emotional health, attachment patterns, communication, and self-regulation. Polyvagal theory ties these themes together by revealing how one particular nerve—the vagus nerve—plays a key role in how we engage with ourselves and others.
What Is Polyvagal Theory?
Poly: meaning “many”
Vagal: referring to the vagus nerve, sometimes called the “wandering nerve” for its extensive reach throughout the body, influencing digestion, heart rate, facial expression, and more.
Traditionally, the parasympathetic nervous system is described as a single “rest-and-digest” mode. Polyvagal theory refines this view by outlining multiple branches of the vagus nerve—each one involved in different responses, including immobilization (shutdown), relaxation (rest-digest), and social engagement.
Three Core Pathways in Polyvagal Theory
1. Immobilization (Dorsal Vagal Shutdown)
https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/
This part of the parasympathetic nervous system triggers the “freeze” response, lowering heart rate and blood pressure to conserve energy under severe stress.
In short bursts, shutdown can serve a protective function. However, it can become problematic if the body remains in this mode for too long, leading to feelings such as chronic fatigue or emotional numbness.
2. Mobilization (Sympathetic Activation)
The sympathetic branch supports action—it’s what helps you spring into fight-or-flight, but also powers daily motivation, from getting out of bed to exercising.
When overactive, sympathetic responses can manifest as hypervigilance, anxiety, or restlessness, especially when unresolved trauma keeps the body on high alert.
3. Social Engagement (Ventral Vagal Connection)
A specialized parasympathetic branch responsible for cues like facial expression, vocal tone, and heart rate regulation—anchoring us in a sense of social safety.
Infants first learn to soothe themselves through eye contact and warm physical presence. Adults continue to rely on these same comforting signals—empathy, gentle touch, and reassuring communication—to restore calm and connection.
Why Polyvagal Theory Matters for Trauma and Stress
Unresolved trauma or prolonged stress often locks us into either overdrive (sympathetic) or shutdown (dorsal vagal), making it harder to switch to a balanced, socially engaged state. Recognizing these patterns can be transformative:
Fight-flight-freeze go beyond mere psychology; they’re physiological survival strategies.
Connection and safety are embedded in our biology. Cultivating the ventral vagal system can help us transition away from chronic stress or collapse.
Supporting self-regulation means freeing ourselves from extremes—neither constant high alert nor prolonged shutdown should dominate our daily lives.
Bringing the Vagus Nerve Back “Online”
In our work at Acadia Psychotherapy, we use a variety of somatic, mindfulness, and relational strategies to gently guide clients toward physical and emotional resilience. By intentionally activating the ventral vagal branch, individuals may tap into a steadier sense of well-being. Some of our approaches include:
Orienting & Grounding: Pausing to notice sights, sounds, and physical sensations helps assure your nervous system that it can lower its guard.
Gentle Breathwork: Slow, deliberate breathing exercises stimulate parasympathetic pathways, promoting a calmer overall state.
Facial & Vocal Exercises: Activities like humming, singing, or exploring various facial expressions can improve ventral vagal tone, fostering a sense of social engagement.
Safe Relationship Cues: Warmth, kind eye contact, empathic listening, and (when appropriate) supportive touch reinforce that feeling of safety and connection.
Common Misconceptions
“Rest and Digest” Tells the Whole Parasympathetic Story
Actually, the parasympathetic system includes both a shutdown (dorsal) and a social engagement (ventral) mode, each shaping our emotional and physiological responses differently.“Trauma Is Just a Mental Issue”
Traumatic stress lives in both body and mind, often requiring more than talk therapy alone. Somatic and relational approaches can further support a shift out of entrenched survival patterns.
How We Can Support You
Our trauma-informed perspective draws on polyvagal theory, attachment science, and movement-based modalities to address underlying nervous system imbalances. We help clients by:
Cultivating Safety
Through compassionate guidance, we encourage ventral vagal engagement—often a vital first step in learning to navigate and befriend one’s internal states.Revisiting Old Patterns
Whether you experience hyperarousal (restlessness, anxiety) or shutdown (lethargy, numbness), we collaborate with you to gently “retrain” your nervous system so it can respond with greater flexibility.Fostering Resilience
As you learn how to alternate between healthy mobilization (focused activity, motivation) and easeful rest (true relaxation, social bonding), you build a renewed sense of possibility and confidence.
Ready to Explore Polyvagal Theory and Nervous System Regulation?
If these ideas pique your interest—if you’re curious how polyvagal theory could relate to stress, trauma, or persistent emotional ups and downs—we invite you to reach out. Our offerings include individual therapy and occasional group workshops, each designed to integrate these concepts into your day-to-day life in a safe, gradual way.
Remember: Encouraging a calmer, more connected state isn’t about forcing yourself to be “okay”; it’s about inviting your nervous system into a supportive, flexible balance. Through a blend of education, mindful practice, and authentic human connection, many people discover that their bodies are capable of growth and adaptation—opening pathways to more meaningful engagement and a deeper sense of ease.
Interested in Learning More?
Feel free to contact us or explore our additional resources for a closer look at how we incorporate polyvagal theory into our therapeutic work. At Acadia Psychotherapy, our hope is to help you nurture a steadier relationship with your body and mind—one guided by knowledge, safety, and consistent practice.
