It seems like the idea of nervous system regulation has gained popularity in the last couple of years. I’ve seen more and more advertisements for nervous system “reset protocols” pop up on social media lately. While it may seem like a new phenomenon, in reality, our nervous systems have been perceiving and adapting since the day we were born. Let’s unpack this idea a little bit and give you some resources to increase your resilience.
First off, what is the nervous system and what does it mean to be regulated (or dysregulated)? The nervous system is our body’s way of gathering and sending information in order to keep us safe and warn us of danger. It uses different body systems to interpret information from within the body, as well as the environment outside of our body. This in turn sets our current nervous system state.
According to the Polyvagal Theory, there are 3 main states: sympathetic (too hot), ventral vagal (just right), and dorsal vagal (too cold). You may think that it would be best for us to constantly be in the “just-right” ventral vagal state. However, there are times when we could really benefit from shifting into a more sympathetic or dorsal vagal state for a short period of time.
Imagine it like a sliding scale. Shifting slightly towards the hot side can provide us with the energy and excitement needed to be in a state of play and allows us to experience feelings of motivation or passion. Shifting further into a hot state could help us be more alert to danger, outrun a threat, or fight back if necessary. On the other side of the scale, sliding towards the cold side brings us to a place of stillness, where we can experience peace and restoration. Shifting further into a cold state leads to freezing, where we become paralyzed and unable to take action. Being regulated means that we are able to adapt appropriately to the environment, shifting between states as needed. Dysregulation happens when we get stuck in one of these states, or we shift back in forth without being able to settle in our just right state. Our body may be interpreting our environment as more of a threat than it actually is.
So what does all of this have to do with our fascia? How can a certified Rolfer help? Our fascia is actually our largest sensory organ. It’s full of receptors that send information to and from the brain. Jessica Maguire does a great job of explaining fascia’s relationship to our nervous system in her book The Nervous System Reset by stating, “While by nature, fascia expands and contracts in line with the physical movements of everyday life, when we experience a physical injury or emotional trauma – for example, when we go into shock and collapse or freeze – our movement tends to become restricted. This ensures our survival in the moment, but with ongoing patterns of collapse and freeze, and dissociation from our body, this lack of movement, combined with emotional stress, physical injury and historical trauma, is thought to potentially impact fascia… To feel our best, we need to make restoring our relationship with our body a priority. Knowing where our body is in space helps bring us back to regulation.”
This is what Rolfing does best. Each session of the 10 series builds your body’s awareness and gives clarity to the signals being sent and received within the fascia, creating adaptability and helping your nervous system find its way back to homeostasis. Another way that this type of bodywork can help is through co-regulation. In his recent presentation (It Starts With Us – Nervous System Awareness in the Practitioner) at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute’s 2025 Global Summit, Andrew Rosenstock explains that through the process of co-regulation, the human nervous system will respond to and mirror another person’s nervous system that they are interacting with, so the practitioner’s state is always effecting the client’s system for better or for worse. Clients who have had experiences with Rolfers and walked away feeling like the work was painful or that the Rolfer was dismissive/aggressive/condescending, were likely working with a practitioner who was not regulated themselves. Working with a practitioner that is regulated will help foster a sense of safety and support and encourage the client’s nervous system to come back into balance. He says that, “the body we (the practitioner) bring into the room is already an intervention”, and that, “Our touch is only as effective as the state you’re in when you offer it”.
Besides intuitive fascia work and co-regulating with others, Jessica Maguire lists these other ways of supporting our nervous system: breath work, changing our posture, and tapping or touch to increase sensory input. I highly recommend reading her book if you are interested in learning exercises and tools to strengthen vagal tone and have a better understanding of your nervous system in general.
Another resource I highly recommend from a spiritual standpoint is John Eldredge’s Pause App. It provides daily meditations based off his books, which invite you to take some time to tune into your internal senses and commune with God. Inviting Jesus to be an active part of your healing journey can be extremely impactful. After all, no one knows what we need better than the one who created us. The app is a great blend of scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom. The 30 Days to Resilient program is sure to soothe your soul. He also has more resources on his website – wildatheart.org.
We are all on a journey of working towards regulation and healing, but I hope this encourages you to keep working at it and to connect with others that support you and your well being.
Dynamic Approach Bodywork 