22/01/2026
How I Support the Vagus Nerve During Facial Reflexology (And Why It Matters)
One of the most powerful things I do during Facial Reflexology is support your vagus nerve, the body’s main calming nerve.
You won’t necessarily come in asking for “vagus nerve support”… but if you’re experiencing things like:
• Anxiety or feeling on edge
• Broken sleep (especially waking at 2–3am)
• Hormonal overwhelm
• Tight jaw, headaches, or tension
• Digestive issues, bloating, or nausea
• Feeling emotionally fragile or stressed
• A nervous system that just won’t switch off…then your vagus nerve often needs gentle help.
What is the vagus nerve?
The vagus nerve is part of your parasympathetic nervous system, also known as “rest and digest.”
It runs from the brain down through the face, throat, heart, lungs, and digestive system, and it acts like a communication superhighway between your brain and body.
When your vagus nerve is working well, your body can:
• Calm stress responses faster
regulate cortisol and adrenaline more smoothly
• Improve digestion and nutrient absorption
• Slow heart rate and steady breathing
• Support better sleep and emotional resilience
• Reduce inflammation in the body
move from fight-or-flight into rest and repair
Why I focus on the vagus nerve in Facial Reflexology
Many women are unknowingly stuck in fight-or-flight for years.
Even if life looks “fine” on the outside, the nervous system can stay in a high-alert state due to:
• Chronic stress
• Burnout
• Trauma or emotional load
• Perimenopause + menopause changes
• Poor sleep cycles
• Long-term inflammation
When this happens, the body stops prioritising repair and healing, and instead stays in survival mode.
Facial Reflexology is one of the most gentle ways to invite the nervous system back into safety.
How I work on the vagus nerve during a session.
During Facial Reflexology I use specific pressure-point techniques and soothing rhythms across areas linked to vagus nerve response, including:
• Reflex points in the face connected to the brain and nervous system
• The jaw and temporalis areas where stress is stored
• The ears and around the temples (a powerful vagal access point)
• The neck, throat and base of skull (where the nervous system resets)
• Breath cues and grounding touch to support a parasympathetic shift
It’s not forceful, it’s calming, slow, and deeply regulating.
Most clients describe it as their body finally saying: “Oh… I can let go now.”
What you may notice after vagus nerve support
Many clients experience:
• Deep relaxation (even if they “never relax”)
• A quieter mind
• Softer facial tension and jaw release
• Slower breathing
• Better digestion after sessions
• Deeper sleep that night
• Fewer stress symptoms over time
• Improved skin tone + glow due to improved circulation + reduced cortisol
And one of the biggest shifts?
They feel like themselves again.
Why this matters for skin + hormones
When stress is high, cortisol rises, and cortisol directly affects:
collagen breakdown
inflammation + sensitivity
dryness and barrier damage
breakouts and redness
dullness and premature ageing
So vagus nerve work isn’t just “nice”, it’s therapeutic.
When the nervous system is calmer, the body becomes more responsive to:
• Healing
• Hormone balancing
• Better sleep
• Skin repair
• Lymph flow + detoxification
• Emotional regulation
That’s why Facial Reflexology is much more than a facial.
It’s a nervous system reset.
