Vagus Nerve
Stimulation
A gentle approach to supporting your body’s rest-and-digest response.
Dolphin Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) uses gentle microcurrent delivered through an attachment at the outer ear. It is designed to stimulate a small branch of the vagus nerve through the skin—without needles, surgery or an implanted device.
If stress or ongoing discomfort is making it hard to unwind, let’s talk about whether this approach could fit your care.
Approach
When Appropriate
Experience
and Tampa Bay Patients
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
Think of the vagus nerve as a communication route between your brain and many of your internal organs. Also called cranial nerve X—the tenth cranial nerve—it helps carry messages involved in breathing, heart rate and digestion.
Brain & brainstem ↔ Heart & lungs ↔ Digestive system
It is part of your autonomic nervous system, which manages functions you do not have to think about. Its role in the parasympathetic system helps explain the familiar phrase “rest and digest”: the body’s quieter mode alongside its “fight-or-flight” response.
A small branch reaches part of the outer ear. That is the area this treatment is designed to stimulate.
How Dolphin VNS Works
The ear attachment you see in the photograph connects to the handheld Dolphin Neurostim device. This VNS setup uses specialized accessories; it is different from applying the device’s tip to individual points during MPS treatment.
- Gentle external stimulation. An ear attachment delivers low-level electrical stimulation through the skin. Nothing is inserted into your body.
- Reaching a small vagus nerve branch. The attachment is positioned at an area of the outer ear supplied by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.
- Supporting the rest-and-digest response. The aim is to influence nerve signals involved in autonomic regulation. Your response is individual, so we review how you feel rather than assume a particular result.
Supporting the Body’s Rest-and-Digest Response
When you are coping with stress or persistent discomfort, feeling settled can be difficult. My aim is to offer care that takes both your symptoms and your day-to-day well-being into account.
Dolphin VNS may be considered as complementary support within a plan focused on relaxation, stress response and nervous system regulation. Where pain management is part of your care, it may sit alongside other appropriate treatments.
We will talk about what you hope to improve and check how you respond. Feeling calmer is a possible experience, not a promised outcome, and this treatment does not replace medical care you need.
What to Expect During a Session
You remain comfortably seated or resting while the Dolphin device delivers gentle stimulation through an attachment positioned at your ear. There are no needles and no surgery.
Before we begin. I’ll listen to your concerns, review your health history and explain the treatment. Together, we’ll decide whether VNS is appropriate for you.
Getting comfortable. The ear attachment and any additional skin-contact accessories are positioned for the treatment. I’ll check your comfort and adjust the stimulation as needed.
Time to rest. You may notice a light tingling or pulsing sensation, or very little sensation at all. Let me know if anything feels uncomfortable. The treatment time is chosen for your plan.
After your session. We’ll talk about how you feel and whether further sessions make sense. You do not need to feel a dramatic change for the visit to be useful in assessing your response.
Plan Treatment Safely
Tell us before treatment if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, are pregnant, have a seizure condition, or have a wound, infection or altered skin sensation in the area being considered. We will review whether microcurrent is appropriate and follow device precautions. You may feel mild tingling or temporary skin sensitivity; tell us if anything is uncomfortable.
Dolphin therapy does not replace diagnosis or recommended medical care. Seek medical evaluation for new, severe or worsening symptoms.
Dolphin VNS FAQs
Is Dolphin Neurostim the same as implanted VNS?
No. This is an external, noninvasive microcurrent device. Implanted vagus nerve stimulation is a different medical procedure with separate indications and evidence.
Are needles involved?
The handheld Dolphin device applies stimulation through the skin; conventional acupuncture needles are not required for this treatment.
What will I feel during treatment?
You may feel a light tingling or pulsing at the ear, or notice very little sensation. The stimulation should be comfortable. Tell me straight away if it is unpleasant so I can adjust or stop treatment. Some people feel relaxed afterward; your experience may be different.
How many visits will I need?
That depends on your goals and response. We can discuss a starting plan and reassess rather than promising a fixed number of sessions.
Ask if VNS Is Right for You
You don’t need to know which treatment to choose before getting in touch. Tell me what has been troubling you and what you hope to feel better about. We’ll discuss your questions and whether Dolphin VNS could be a suitable part of your care.