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If you spend any time on social media, you've probably heard someone talking about the vagus nerve.
Apparently, we're all supposed to be cold plunging, humming, breathing differently, doing eye exercises, and regulating our nervous systems.
But how much of this is actually science, and how much has been oversimplified into another wellness trend?
In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I’m joined by Alanna Thompson, registered massage therapist, educator, and founder of Salience Education, to unpack what massage therapists actually need to know about the vagus nerve and nervous system regulation.
We talk about why the vagus nerve is suddenly everywhere, what popular “vagus nerve hacks” may actually be doing, and why the effectiveness of any intervention depends on the person in front of you.
Alanna also challenges something many of us assume: that massage is automatically relaxing.
We explore why some clients struggle to let go on the table, why relaxation itself may not always feel safe, how pain and pressure can influence the nervous system, and how massage therapists can become more intentional about creating treatments that support nervous system regulation.
We also talk about:
• Why the internet won't stop talking about the vagus nerve
• The science behind humming, breathing, cold exposure, meditation, eye exercises, and massage
• Why simple nervous system strategies can still create meaningful change
• Why massage doesn't automatically relax everyone
• The difference between simple and easy when changing chronic patterns
• How to talk about stress while staying within our scope as massage therapists
• Why slower treatments may sometimes be more effective
• The underrated power of face, scalp, ear, neck, and abdominal massage
• How nervous-system-informed massage can help you develop a unique and in-demand practice
One of my favourite takeaways from this conversation is that understanding the nervous system doesn't necessarily mean adding another complicated modality to your toolbox. It can help you become more intentional with the skills you already have. And when we understand why we're doing what we're doing, we can create better experiences for our patients, build practices that stand out, and continue developing careers that give us freedom, flexibility, financial success, and work we genuinely enjoy.
Apparently, we're all supposed to be cold plunging, humming, breathing differently, doing eye exercises, and regulating our nervous systems.
But how much of this is actually science, and how much has been oversimplified into another wellness trend?
In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I’m joined by Alanna Thompson, registered massage therapist, educator, and founder of Salience Education, to unpack what massage therapists actually need to know about the vagus nerve and nervous system regulation.
We talk about why the vagus nerve is suddenly everywhere, what popular “vagus nerve hacks” may actually be doing, and why the effectiveness of any intervention depends on the person in front of you.
Alanna also challenges something many of us assume: that massage is automatically relaxing.
We explore why some clients struggle to let go on the table, why relaxation itself may not always feel safe, how pain and pressure can influence the nervous system, and how massage therapists can become more intentional about creating treatments that support nervous system regulation.
We also talk about:
• Why the internet won't stop talking about the vagus nerve
• The science behind humming, breathing, cold exposure, meditation, eye exercises, and massage
• Why simple nervous system strategies can still create meaningful change
• Why massage doesn't automatically relax everyone
• The difference between simple and easy when changing chronic patterns
• How to talk about stress while staying within our scope as massage therapists
• Why slower treatments may sometimes be more effective
• The underrated power of face, scalp, ear, neck, and abdominal massage
• How nervous-system-informed massage can help you develop a unique and in-demand practice
One of my favourite takeaways from this conversation is that understanding the nervous system doesn't necessarily mean adding another complicated modality to your toolbox. It can help you become more intentional with the skills you already have. And when we understand why we're doing what we're doing, we can create better experiences for our patients, build practices that stand out, and continue developing careers that give us freedom, flexibility, financial success, and work we genuinely enjoy.
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TAKEAWAYS
Stop assuming massage automatically equals relaxation.Watch what the client's nervous system is actually communicating. Clenched hands, guarded breathing, toe curling, bracing, and other responses may tell you more than the treatment technique you're using. Simple doesn't mean easy.Alanna's framework here is excellent: chronic patterns require chronic solutions. Nervous system strategies may be simple, but meaningful change can come from repeatedly interrupting established patterns. Try slowing down.Experiment with slower massage strokes, breathing alongside your client, and noticing whether their breathing and body tension change. Reconsider overlooked areas.Face, scalp, ears, suboccipitals, neck, and abdominal work can offer valuable sensory input and may be useful additions when appropriate, consented to, and within your training. Find what works for the individual.The goal isn't to make every client hum, meditate, cold plunge, or hold rocks. The intervention has to be relevant and acceptable to the actual human on your table. 
Alanna Thompson, RMT, BKin, Founder Salience Education
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ABOUT
Alanna Thompson (RMT, BKin) has been an engaging educator for 15 years, and a massage therapist for 4. Alanna has a thriving trauma-informed massage practice where she treats highly stressed patients - focusing on chronic pain, headaches, jaw dysfunction and nervous system conditions. She is passionate about understanding the nervous system and how we can work with it for life-changing results. Her courses are evidence-based, practical and engaging. She uses clinical examples to drive home the neuroscience content so that any massage therapist will feel able to treat complex patients with clarity and confidence.
CONTACTAlanna Thompson
Email: [email protected] Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579651231939 Website: salienceeducation.com Instagram: instagram.com/salience.education/ MENTIONED
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Want More? Check out this episode 👇
Your Client Can't Relax. Now What?
Massage therapists are often taught that massage is relaxing, but anyone who has spent enough time in a treatment room knows that relaxation isn't always automatic. Some clients remain guarded. Their hands stay clenched. Their breathing remains shallow. They struggle to let their body become heavy on the table.
One of the biggest lessons from the conversation is the importance of paying attention to the individual rather than automatically applying a nervous-system “hack.”
A cold plunge might appeal to one person and sound miserable to another. Meditation might create calm for one client and leave another with more room for racing thoughts. A breathing exercise might feel powerful—or overly simplistic—depending on how it's introduced.
The same principle applies to massage.
Instead of assuming more pressure creates better results, therapists can watch for signs of guarding, breath holding and bracing. We can slow our treatments down. We can experiment with different sensory inputs. We can communicate with our clients about what they're experiencing.
And perhaps most importantly, we can remember Alanna's message:
Chronic patterns require chronic solutions.
Try This in Your Practice
Pay attention to your client's breathing during your next treatment.
Notice their hands.
Experiment with slowing down one technique more than you normally would.
Consider whether your treatment is creating an experience the client wants to return to.
Because understanding the nervous system isn't only about improving individual treatments. It can also help you develop a distinct approach, attract the clients who value your work, and build a massage career that remains interesting and sustainable for you.
One of the biggest lessons from the conversation is the importance of paying attention to the individual rather than automatically applying a nervous-system “hack.”
A cold plunge might appeal to one person and sound miserable to another. Meditation might create calm for one client and leave another with more room for racing thoughts. A breathing exercise might feel powerful—or overly simplistic—depending on how it's introduced.
The same principle applies to massage.
Instead of assuming more pressure creates better results, therapists can watch for signs of guarding, breath holding and bracing. We can slow our treatments down. We can experiment with different sensory inputs. We can communicate with our clients about what they're experiencing.
And perhaps most importantly, we can remember Alanna's message:
Chronic patterns require chronic solutions.
Try This in Your Practice
Pay attention to your client's breathing during your next treatment.
Notice their hands.
Experiment with slowing down one technique more than you normally would.
Consider whether your treatment is creating an experience the client wants to return to.
Because understanding the nervous system isn't only about improving individual treatments. It can also help you develop a distinct approach, attract the clients who value your work, and build a massage career that remains interesting and sustainable for you.
