Lately, the vagus nerve has really been catching my attention. The more I dive into learning about it, the more I see just how much this one nerve influences our well-being. The vagus nerve is like a communication superhighway between the brain and the body. It affects digestion, heart rate, breath, and our ability to relax. What’s often overlooked is how it can also contribute to neck pain and headaches. Because of its pathway through the neck, tension in the surrounding muscles and fascia can irritate or compress it, leading to discomfort and even that wired-but-exhausted feeling. In my massage practice, I’ve started bringing more focus to the vagus nerve. What I’ve noticed is subtle but profound. When tension around the nerve begins to soften, my clients often release in ways that are unmistakable—sometimes it’s a deep sigh, other times a physical letting go, and occasionally even tears. These responses remind me that the body holds not just muscular tension, but long-stored emotional stress as well. Massage creates space for the vagus nerve to function more freely and activates the parasympathetic nervous system—our “rest and digest” state. Supporting this balance doesn’t just ease pain in the neck or head; it allows the whole body to begin to unwind. The body really is all connected—and the vagus nerve is one of the most beautiful examples of that connection in action.