Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg Summary
Discover the revolutionary link between your nervous system and total wellness. Endorsed by Polyvagal Theory creator Stephen Porges, this bestseller - translated into 20+ languages - reveals simple exercises that could rewire your body's response to anxiety, depression, and trauma.
About the author
Stanley Rosenberg is a renowned body therapist and craniosacral therapy pioneer, acclaimed for his work in Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism. Specializing in integrative somatic therapies, Rosenberg draws on over 40 years of clinical practice, blending techniques from craniosacral therapy, Rolfing, and osteopathy to address nervous system regulation.
Trained under leading figures like Alain Gehin and Jean-Pierre Barral, he founded a Danish school teaching structural integration and biotensegrity, while co-developing methods to activate the social engagement system through vagus nerve stimulation.
His other works include El Nervio Vago, Su Poder Sanador and Danish bestsellers on pain management and tai chi. Rosenberg’s integrative approaches are taught globally, and his research has influenced therapeutic practices in trauma recovery and autonomic nervous system healing. Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve has become a staple in holistic health communities, praised for its accessible exercises and clinical insights.
FAQs About This Book
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg explores how regulating the vagus nerve—a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system—can reduce anxiety, heal trauma, and restore physical and emotional balance. It combines Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory with step-by-step exercises to activate the body’s self-healing mechanisms.
The book is ideal for therapists, bodyworkers, trauma survivors, and individuals dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, or autonomic nervous system dysregulation. It’s also valuable for parents and caregivers seeking non-pharmaceutical strategies for emotional and physical wellness.
Yes—the book provides actionable tools grounded in neurobiology and clinical experience, making it a practical resource for improving vagal tone. Readers praise its clear explanations of complex concepts like the social nervous system and its role in healing trauma.
Rosenberg builds on Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory to explain how the vagus nerve governs stress responses and social engagement. The book links impaired vagal function to conditions like anxiety and autism, offering exercises to restore nervous system balance.
Key techniques include:
- Breathwork: Slow diaphragmatic breathing to stimulate ventral vagal activity.
- Physical maneuvers: Head-turning exercises to reset cranial nerve function.
- Self-massage: Gentle touch to activate the parasympathetic response.
Yes—the book argues that vagus nerve stimulation can reduce inflammation and improve pain management by shifting the body from a stress state to a rest-and-digest mode. Case studies demonstrate reduced symptoms in conditions like fibromyalgia.
Rosenberg’s 30+ years as a craniosacral therapist and Rolfer inform his hands-on approach. His methods blend somatic experiencing with osteopathic principles, emphasizing practical, accessible techniques over theoretical jargon.
Some clinicians note that the exercises may require professional guidance for complex cases. Critics also highlight limited peer-reviewed studies directly validating Rosenberg’s specific techniques, though the core science aligns with Polyvagal Theory.
Unlike purely academic texts, Rosenberg prioritizes self-help strategies over dense anatomy lessons. It’s more action-oriented than Porges’ original Polyvagal works but less technical than medical handbooks.
The book explains how a well-toned vagus nerve fosters emotional resilience by regulating heart rate, digestion, and social connection. Dysfunction is tied to panic disorders, while activation promotes calm and safety.
Yes—Rosenberg suggests vagus nerve exercises may improve emotional regulation and sensory processing in autistic individuals by enhancing parasympathetic responsiveness. The approach complements behavioral therapies.
Some users report immediate relaxation from breathwork, while chronic issues like migraines may require weeks of consistent practice. Rosenberg emphasizes individualized pacing and combining methods for optimal outcomes.
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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