I get so much advice and many many emails about my health issues. This supplement, that diet, exercise, detox, brain training, etc etc. Sometimes it can be frustrating when others want you to try something that doesn’t feel right to you.

This morning I got an email talking about vagus nerve activation. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body. It runs from your brain, down your spine, communicating to and from your organs and regulating the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest, digest and heal” function).

When the vagus nerve is compromised, many health issues can come into play. So it makes sense that someone with chronic sickness should ensure this critical component of the body is functioning properly.

I’ve had several doctors include vagus nerve exercises and conditioning as part of treatment protocol. But it didn’t work for me.

Let me tell you – when I try something that is supposed to the the one major tool a doctor thinks will help me, and it doesn’t, it gets darn discouraging. Especially when that person is counting on that tool because they don’t have other options for that issue.

Last year, I went to Florida for treatment for cervical instability. Basically my beach ligaments are too seal to hold my head up. One of the things that happens with CI is that the vagus nerve (as well as arteries that run along the spine) gets pinched, often in multiple locations.

So no matter how many vagus nerve activations exercises I do, that nerve isn’t going to work any better unless I fix my neck issues.

Now, I’m not talking about this to discourage people who have vagus nerve distinction. This isn’t necessarily about that (unless you have CI, you can learn more about that here: https://philippijoy.com/doctors-programs/hauser-neck-center-caring-medical/).

The point of the post is to encourage those with chronic sickness to listen to your body. (and gut). You know your body better than anyone else. Even better than the doctors.

Treating chronic sickness can be costly and time consuming. If something sticks out to you as a treatment or protocol that could be helpful, try it. But if it’s something that you’re not ready to do, it’s ok!

You don’t owe anyone explanations. Especially people who are seemingly healthy and think they have a miracle cure. Those people have no clue how hard life can be for someone who is deathly ill and utterly disabled. They have no understanding of the long journey you’ve been on, they don’t know how many things you’ve tried.

This battle is stressful enough without carrying the burden of trying not to let down people who are trying to help.

Take recommendations for the good intentions they are. Then do what feels right to you.