Head, Neck, and Nervous System–Related Conditions

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Pain, dizziness, digestive issues, and chronic stress are often connected through the nervous system. These symptoms can share common drivers involving how the head, neck, and nervous system affect each other. Tension, restricted movement, and changes in fluid pressure can all affect the brain and cranial nerves, influencing how the body feels and responds.

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At Art & Science Healing, the focus is on improving nervous system function while reducing strain within the head, neck, and surrounding tissues. This work addresses both mechanical strain and nervous system regulation so the body can function with ease and balance. When these systems work together more effectively, many symptoms may begin to improve.

 

Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia

 

Chronic pain and fibromyalgia are often associated with a nervous system that becomes stuck in fight-or-flight. Instead of settling after stress, illness, or injury, the body remains on high alert. Over time, this can amplify pain signals, disrupt sleep, affect mood, and increase sensitivity throughout the body.

 

Pain may:

• Spread beyond the original area

• Shift locations

• Persist even when imaging or tests appear normal

 

Treatment for chronic pain focuses on calming the stress response and while addressing factors that continue to irritate the nervous system. Frequency-specific microcurrent (FSM) may be used alongside hands-on therapies to specifically calm the sympathetic nervous system and reduce excessive nerve signaling. Craniosacral therapy and gentle chiropractic care (when appropriate) can further reduce pain by improving movement, pressure balance, and tissue health.

 

As the nervous system settles out of fight-or-flight, many people notice improvements not only in pain, but also in energy, sleep, and overall resilience.

 

Headaches, Migraines, and Jaw Tension

 

Headaches, migraines, and jaw pain often involve the same regions: the head, upper neck, and the nerves that pass between them. Tension, compression, or restricted movement in these areas can irritate sensitive nerve pathways and affect blood flow and fluid dynamics.

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In some people, migraines, facial pain, jaw tension, and vertigo are closely related and may reflect irritation affecting different cranial nerves. This can help explain why symptoms sometimes overlap or change over time.

 

Treatment aims to reduce strain in the head and upper neck while supporting healthier nerve function. Hands-on work and FSM may be used together to remove mechanical strain, stop nerve irritation and help the nervous system respond more appropriately to stress.

 

Vertigo, Dizziness, and Balance Issues

 

Balance depends on clear communication between the inner ear, upper neck, brainstem, and nervous system. When this communication is disrupted, symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, or a sense of instability can develop.

 

Contributing factors may include:

• Restricted movement in the upper cervical spine

• Tension or pressure affecting the brain, inner ear or vestibulocochlear nerve

• Nervous system overstimulation

 

Gentle, targeted treatment can help reduce interference along these pathways. Supporting tissue health and nervous system regulation may improve coordination between balance systems, particularly when symptoms worsen with stress or fatigue.

 

Stress, Digestion, and the Vagus Nerve

 

The vagus nerve plays an important role in calming the body, supporting digestion, and shifting out of fight-or-flight. When vagal function is compromised, symptoms may include:

• Digestive discomfort

• Shallow breathing

• Increased pain sensitivity

• Difficulty relaxing or sleeping

 

Stress, injury, and chronic tension—especially around the head, neck, and upper chest—can all affect how well the vagus nerve functions.  Treatment that improves mobility, reduces tissue strain, and supports nervous system regulation may help restore balance between the body’s stress response and its calming systems. As this balance improves, digestion, pain levels, and stress tolerance often improve together.

 

How these conditions are addressed at Art & Science Healing

 

Every session is individualized and may include:

• Craniosacral therapy to reduce strain and improve function of the meninges and cranial nerves

• Myofascial release to relieve restrictions affecting nerves and fascia

• Chiropractic care, when appropriate, to address joint mechanics and nerve interference

• Frequency-specific microcurrent (FSM) to support tissue health and nervous system regulation

 

These therapies are customized and blended to support the nervous system while addressing mechanical and tissue-level strain. Rather than focusing on a single diagnosis, treatment addresses broader patterns involving nervous system regulation, head and neck mechanics, and tissue health. This allows support for a wide range of conditions without forcing symptoms into a narrow category.

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