Autonomic Nervous System: The Switch Between Alert and Recovery
The autonomic nervous system switches between two modes: alert and recovery. This animation shows what happens when alert won't switch off and how the method talks to that system. Choose a phase to see it on repeat and read the explanation.
Phase 1 of 8
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
It works without asking permission.
It governs heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and the tone of vessels and tissues.
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The autonomic nervous system works without asking permission: it governs heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and the tone of vessels and tissues.
For professionals
Autonomic nervous system: control of heart rate, breathing, digestion, and vascular and tissue tone. Animation cards: heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and tissue tone.
Phase 2 of 8
THE SWITCH
Between alert and recovery.
One mode prepares the body to react; the other, to recover.
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It works like a switch between two modes: one prepares the body to react; the other, to recover.
For professionals
Two modes of operation: alert (sympathetic) and recovery (parasympathetic).
Phase 3 of 8
ALERT
Fight-or-flight mode.
The heart speeds up, breathing gets shallow, digestion pauses, tissues tense up.
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In alert, the fight-or-flight mode, the heart speeds up, breathing gets shallow, digestion pauses, and tissues tense up.
For professionals
Sympathetic activation: racing heartbeat, shallow breathing, paused digestion, high tone.
Phase 4 of 8
WHEN ALERT WON'T SWITCH OFF
The body stays in protection.
This is what happens in central sensitization.
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When alert won't switch off, the body stays in protection. This is what happens in central sensitization.
For professionals
Sustained alert: the body stays in protection. It is the pattern described in central sensitization.
Phase 5 of 8
THE SUBTLE TOUCH
A touch the body listens to.
It activates mechanoreceptors in the skin and fascia, which modulate the autonomic nervous system.
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The subtle touch is a touch the body listens to. It activates receptors in the skin and fascia that help modulate the autonomic nervous system.
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Skin and fascial mechanoreceptors activated by the subtle touch modulate the autonomic nervous system.
Phase 6 of 8
HOW THE METHOD IS DESIGNED
Every choice is a conversation.
The weight of the touch, the sustained positioning, the unhurried pace.
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In the method, every choice is a conversation with the body: the weight of the touch, the sustained positioning, and the unhurried pace.
For professionals
The method's parameters as a stimulus to the autonomic nervous system: the weight of the touch, the sustained positioning, and the unhurried pace.
Phase 7 of 8
RECOVERY
Tension releases, gradually.
The physiological condition for releasing tension is created.
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Tension releases, gradually. The condition is created in which the body can let tension go.
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Recovery: the physiological condition for gradual release of tension is created. Animation cards: calm heartbeat, deep breathing, active digestion, relaxed tone.
Phase 8 of 8
THE WAY BACK
We don't fight the fight-or-flight mode.
We show the body the way back.
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We don't fight the fight-or-flight mode. We show the body the way back.
For professionals
Non-confrontational approach to the sympathetic state: returning the system to recovery mode. Source cited in the animation: Schleip, 2003.