11/03/2026
An interesting anatomy exploration….
From this place, the styloid process of the temporal bone, a whole fascial network exists that wraps around and relates to your neck, throat, jaw, muscles, tissues and nerves (including the Vagus nerve) down through to your digestive system. Essentially you could imagine the digestive system hangs from your cranium. I wish I had a good image of it!
When there is chronic neck and jaw tension, whiplash injuries, etc it can communicate down to your digestive system and to the LES sphincter which is involved in acid reflux.
The Vagus nerve travels through this path and when there is irritation in the digestive system or with acid reflux, it can increase guarding in the neck and throat. When there is tension in your neck, throat, and along the vagus pathway it can irritate or disrupt your digestion.
It is an interesting feedback loop in a way. What can you do? you can address it by getting good manual/myofascial/craniosacral therapy for your head, neck, and jaw to relieve pull. You can have visceral manipulation techniques applied to the stomach, LES sphincter, diaphragm to support the vagus, the function of digestive sphincters, and reduce drag from the neck. Getting the craniosacral rhythms and nerve movement restored is very helpful.
There are so many functional relationships in the body to consider. It’s fascinating!
