One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
Ayra Nielson, PhD
Dr. Arya Nielsen is an assistant clinical professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health. She developed and directed the Acupuncture Fellowship for Inpatient Care at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Her research includes treatment of chronic pain in underserved populations, acupuncture therapies for acute care and the inpatient setting, and both the physiology and therapeutic effect of the traditional East Asian healing technique gua sha.