Is Vagus Nerve Massage Just a Trend? A Pilates-Based Perspective…

Written By Melody M

Is Vagus Nerve Massage Just a Trend? A Pilates-Based Perspective

By Melody Morton-Buckleair, Master Pilates Instructor & Somatic Educator
Founder, The Good Space Houston & Elmwood Place Pilates
@thepilatescowgirl | www.thegoodspacehouston.com | www.elmwoodplacepilates.com

In the wellness world, the vagus nerve has become a bit of a celebrity — and like most things that go viral, it’s easy to lose the science in the sparkle.

Here’s what I can say as a movement educator who works with the nervous system daily: vagus nerve “massage” isn’t magic — but yes, it can be effective when paired with real somatic practices.

The vagus nerve is the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system. It runs from the brainstem through the face, throat, chest, and down into the gut. Stimulating this nerve can help shift the body from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state into parasympathetic (rest-and-digest). And that shift is powerful. It supports digestion, lowers blood pressure, improves mood, and helps regulate inflammation.

That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all “vagus nerve massage.” It’s not as simple as rubbing your neck or splashing your face with cold water and expecting deep nervous system healing.

In my Pilates and breathwork practice, we work with vagal tone through:

  • Slow spinal articulation, which wakes up nerve pathways and blood flow

  • Diaphragmatic breath, which physically massages the vagus nerve through the motion of the diaphragm

  • Sound, vocalization, and humming, which stimulate the vagus nerve where it connects near the throat

  • Mind-body awareness, which invites the system to downshift and regulate

So — trend or truth? A little of both.
The vagus nerve isn’t a gimmick — but how we engage with it matters.
It’s not a surface-level fix. It’s a relationship. And like any relationship, it requires consistency, respect, and attention.

Want to experience this for yourself? Visit us at The Good Space or Elmwood Place Pilates to explore how breath, movement, and nervous system awareness can change not just how you feel — but how you live.

© 2025 Melody Morton-Buckleair. The Pilates Cowgirl™. All rights reserved.

Melody M
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