Polyvagal Theory and Its Role in Somatic Therapy: an intro…

Find out what polyvagal theory is and how we use it in somatic therapy.

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr Stephen Porges, offers groundbreaking insight into how our nervous system recognises and response to cues of safety, danger, and life threat.

The key component of the theory is the vagus nerve, or tenth cranial nerve. The vagus nerve (vagus meaning to wander) is one of the longest nerves in the body, exiting the brain through the back of the skull, entering the face, moving down the throat into the chest where it circles the lungs and heart, and then ends in the gut.

It influences our physiological and emotional responses, shaping the way we experience connection, stress, and healing. And it regulates key physiological functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

Three Pathways

The vagus nerve is a vital component of the autonomic nervous system. Polyvagal Theory highlights three primary neural circuits governing our reactions to environmental and social cues:

• The ventral vagal system, associated with feelings of safety and social engagement (part of the parasympathetic system)

• The sympathetic nervous system, linked to fight-or-flight responses

• The dorsal vagal system, which can lead to immobilisation or shutdown when overwhelmed (also part of the parasympathetic system)

In somatic therapy, understanding these neural states is the cornerstone of the practice.

Trauma and chronic anxiety can result in the nervous system becoming stuck in defensive modes—either hyperarousal (functional freeze, fight or flight) or hypoarousal (fawn, appease or collapse). In somatic therapy, we look at these responses through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, giving us a deep understanding of the physiological responses happening in relation to stress and trauma, rather than solely focusing on cognitive or verbal processing.

Cognitive and verbal processing along with understanding the responses of the body are absolutely fundamental to healing.

How Somatic Therapy Helps

Somatic approaches use body-based techniques to help you sense and regulate your nervous system states. These may include breathwork, movement, mindfulness, and touch, which stimulate the ventral vagal pathways to promote safety and social connection. Combined with therapies like Internal Family Systems (IFS), I support clients to access deeper layers of healing because we tune into how the nervous system is showing up in relation to our parts.

Polyvagal Theory offers a compassionate framework that honours the body’s role in mental wellbeing. It guides us to heal from trauma not simply by addressing thoughts or emotions but by understanding and thereby restoring the nervous system’s natural rhythm.

This compassionate, whole body and mind approach, supports you to find safety, self-love, and connection within yourself and in your relationships.

If you’re interested in working one to one with me, drop me an email or use the button below to book a free consultation.