Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

by Stanley D. Rosenberg

The stomach is on the left side of the abdomen, just under the rib cage. Place the fingertips of one hand lightly on the top of where you imagine you can find the stomach. The stomach is soft but palpable. You should be able to feel the stomach if you slowly and gently extend your fingertips into the abdominal muscles. You only want to feel the top surface of the stomach. Under no circumstances should your move be painful. If the person experiences pain, you should stop immediately. Gently pull it downward toward the feet until you sense the first sign of resistance—usually after pulling it only about one half-inch to one inch (Figure 1). Hold it at that point of slight resistance until the esophagus relaxes. Although you might be tempted to push the stomach down in order to stretch the esophagus, it in not necessary to exert any force. If you have your fingers on the top of the stomach, you will signal the nerves for the esophagus to lengthen, and the stomach will descend in the abdomen, making room for the respiratory diaphragm to descend on the inbreath.