Let's Talk About Our Nervous System
What is the nervous system?
The nervous system controls functions in the body, receives and processes information, and sends signals to activate responses - like reaching for a glass of water when you're thirsty. The nervous system is responsible for sensation, movement, thought, emotion, internal system control, and maintaining homeostasis.
What are the three nervous systems?
The nervous system controls various bodily functions, including circulation, digestion, heart rate, and many others. It does this through a combination of signals that are sent between neurons and other specialized cells.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for activating the body's "fight or flight" response in the face of a perceived threat or danger. This response involves the release of hormones like adrenaline, increased heart rate, and a boost in energy, all of which help prepare the body to respond to a threat.
The parasympathetic nervous system is the other branch of the autonomic nervous system and is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" response. This is the opposite of the fight or flight response and involves functions like digestion, healing, and growth. The parasympathetic nervous system helps keep the body calm and relaxed and is especially active during rest and recovery periods.
What does the nervous system do?
The nervous system is a crucial component of the human body. It involves many activities, including sensory processing, motor control, cognitive function, and emotional regulation. The nervous system receives information from the body, processes that information, and sends signals to control movement, maintain a stable internal environment, and support our ability to think, remember, and concentrate. The nervous system is responsible for keeping the body healthy, regulating its internal functions, and enabling us to interact with the world around us.
How does the nervous system get dysregulated?
The nervous system can become dysregulated through various means, such as trauma, chronic stress, infection, neurological disorders, and environmental and genetic factors. These can lead to various physical and mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Dysregulation in the nervous system can also affect bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and respiration.
How do you regulate your nervous system?
There are various lifestyle factors that can help regulate the nervous system. With many of these habits or behaviours, time and dedication to play a pivotal role in healing. Finding the best path may have some trial and error. Several ways to help regulate the nervous system are deep breathing, physical exercise, mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga, having a strong social support like friends and family, and sessions with a mental health provider.
How does Stella treat the nervous system?
Stella uses multiple approaches when helping regulate the nervous system through individual treatments or a multimodality treatment approach.
The Dual Sympathetic Reset, an advanced Stellate Ganglion Block, interacts with the sympathetic nervous system to help restore normal biological function and can efficiently address many of the most severe symptoms associated with emotional trauma.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy is a quick, innovative, and promising treatment for those looking for care right now. Ketamine IV infusion, the most common type of ketamine therapy, has been shown to be effective in treating mental-health-related conditions within hours.
After Treatment by Stella, patients can be referred by a Stella PMNHP to participate in talk therapy to further their healing. Our network of trauma-informed therapists is ready to help. A Stella Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner will refer the individual to the appropriate therapist that fits their specific needs post-treatment.
Treatment by Stella aims to reset your mind back to its pre-trauma state. When the nervous system balance is disrupted, it can lead to debilitating symptoms of emotional challenges and mental health challenges. Re-regulating your nervous system through Treatment by Stella can positively impact your physical and mental health, leading to greater well-being and quality of life.
Once you have successfully re-regulated your nervous system, you may experience a range of positive effects. Some possible benefits of a well-regulated nervous system may include improved mental and emotional well-being, reduced anxiety, improved mood, better physical health, improved sleep quality, and increased ability to focus and concentrate.