Polyvagal Theory Resources

An understanding of PVT (Polyvagal Theory) involves an in-depth knowledge of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and a recognition that the ANS is the under-appreciated foundation of health and well-being.

The research of Stephen Porges has made the conventional wisdom about the ANS (“fight/flight” vs. “rest/rebuild”) somewhat obsolete, and replaced it with a new concept, the “Polyvagal Theory”.

Porges’ new understanding about the Autonomic Nervous System has been thoroughly tested and proven and has profound implications across all forms of healthcare.

THE MAIN LEARNING POINTS:

1. The autonomic nervous system is the foundation of health and wellness, regulating neurochemistry, the immune system and most behaviour. Some say that “80% or more of all medical conditions are ANS events.” (Dr James Jealous, leading US osteopath and teacher).
2. The traditional modal of the ANS usually taught has two branches, the ANS has three branches and the branches are sequential instead of purely reciprocal.
3. The newly discovered third branch is the Social Nervous System, which regulates the evolutionarily older Sympathetic (properly called “Orthosympathetic”) and oldest Parasympathetic branches. The Social branch meets the technical criteria for inclusion in the ANS.
4. Understanding the ANS fully is a true revolution in health care, with enormous implications for medicine, psychology, birthing practices, early childhood care and education of all ages. In addition, the Polyvagal Theory provides important anatomical and physiological information for much more effective treatment of trauma.

The above text has been taken in edited form from the Colorado School of Energy Studies, who are forerunners in the promotion of Polyvagal Theory. They offer a number of resources on their website (www.energyschool.com), such as the following:

ARTICLES

Triune_Autonomic_Nervous_System_Article-Chitty  (2-page summary of Polyvagal Theory)

Dancing-with-Yin-Yang-chap6-ANS-LR   (Chapter 6 from the book “Dancing with Yin and Yang” by John Chitty)

POSTER

John Chitty, founder of the Colorado School of Energy Studies, has produced a colour poster that combines the 7 most significant diagrams from the Chapter 6 article quoted above, in one view. The poster format may be easier to assimilate over time, compared to a one-pass reading or viewing experience.

The ANS poster is available direct from the Colorado School of Energy Studies, or for anyone resident in the UK, Brighton Therapy Partnership are sole distributors of the poster in the UK.

To poster is available to purchase for the price of £26.30. Please email info@brightontherapypartnership.org.uk to arrange to purchase.

Email info@brightontherapypartnership.org.uk to arrange your discounted poster purchase.

Other Resources:

“Autonomic Nervous System: Precision Regulation” – A4 laminated card by Babette Rothschild, from The Body Remembers Volume 2: Revolutionizing Trauma Treatment (Norton, 2017), available as a free download here https://usabp.org/resources/Documents/ANS%20English%20HANDOUT%20TBRv2.pdf or as a laminated card here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autonomic-Nervous-System-Table-Laminated/dp/039371280X