The Vagus Nerve (5 hrs)
Enhancing Rehabilitative Therapies with Vagus Nerve Stimulation
5 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with John Wilks
Enhancing Rehabilitative Therapies with Vagus Nerve Stimulation is a practical online course exploring the anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic relevance of the vagus nerve for rehabilitation and manual therapy professionals.
Enhancing Rehabilitative Therapies with Vagus Nerve Stimulation combines clear theoretical instruction with step-by-step demonstrations presented by author and manual therapist John Wilks.
The course is designed to help practitioners better understand the vagus nerve, its role in health and wellbeing, and how manual therapy approaches may be thoughtfully integrated into rehabilitative practice.
Course Overview
Across this 5-hour CE/CPD course, John Wilks introduces the anatomy, physiology, and functions of the vagus nerve through engaging video tutorials and practical demonstrations.
Participants will explore how vagus nerve stimulation may relate to overall health, wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and rehabilitative care, while developing a clearer understanding of how these concepts can be applied responsibly within professional practice.
The course includes 2 hours of video classes and a fully illustrated 140-page course text, providing both practical guidance and in-depth educational support for therapists seeking to expand their understanding of vagus nerve-focused approaches.
What You Will Learn
| Topic | Focus |
|---|---|
| Vagus Nerve Anatomy | Understanding the structure, pathways, and clinical relevance of this important cranial nerve |
| Physiology and Function | Exploring the role of the vagus nerve in nervous system regulation, health, and wellbeing |
| Manual Therapy Applications | Step-by-step approaches for applying vagus nerve-focused techniques within professional practice |
| Rehabilitative Integration | How vagus nerve concepts may be incorporated into broader therapeutic and rehabilitative care |
| Clinical Confidence and Safety | Developing thoughtful, responsible, and scope-aware approaches to treatment planning |
Course Content
The course combines anatomy education, physiological explanation, practical demonstrations, and supporting text-based learning to help practitioners understand the vagus nerve and its relevance to rehabilitative therapy.
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| Introduction to the Vagus Nerve | Foundational anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic context |
| Functions of the Vagus Nerve | Nervous system regulation, health, wellbeing, and autonomic influence |
| Vagus Nerve Stimulation Concepts | Understanding stimulation principles and their therapeutic relevance |
| Manual Therapy Techniques | Step-by-step demonstrations and practical application guidance |
| Integration into Rehabilitative Practice | Applying concepts responsibly within manual therapy, rehabilitation, and client care |
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for rehabilitation professionals, massage therapists, manual therapists, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, chiropractors, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, athletic trainers, exercise professionals, fitness professionals, and other qualified practitioners interested in nervous system-informed therapeutic approaches.
It is especially relevant for professionals who want to better understand the vagus nerve and explore how vagus nerve stimulation concepts may support rehabilitative therapy, manual therapy, stress regulation, and whole-person care.
About John Wilks
John Wilks is an author, educator, and experienced manual therapist with a long-standing interest in subtle therapeutic approaches, nervous system regulation, and integrative bodywork.
His teaching is clear, thoughtful, and grounded in practical application, helping practitioners connect anatomical and physiological concepts with safe, respectful, and clinically relevant therapeutic techniques.
Included With This Course
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Video Classes | 2 hours of video tutorials and step-by-step demonstrations presented by John Wilks |
| Illustrated Course Text | Fully illustrated 140-page course text with in-depth insights and practical guidance |
| Online Exam | Assessment included for course completion |
| Certificate | 5 Hours CE/CPD after successful completion |
| Lifetime Access | Study at your own pace and revisit the material anytime |
| Subtitles | English, French, German, and Spanish subtitles included |
CE Finder
This course has been approved for continuing education by numerous professional boards and associations worldwide. Scroll sideways to find your board or association.
Approvals Listed: 64
CE Broker Provider: #20-1224152
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Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.
The Vagus Nerve (Enhancing Rehabilitative Therapies with Vagus Nerve Stimulation)
Professional Reviews & Feedback
The reviews below represent feedback provided by students and practitioners through Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me.
“An outstanding course. The vagus nerve is often discussed but rarely explained this clearly or practically.”
“The anatomy and physiology sections were excellent. I now have a much better understanding of autonomic nervous system function.”
“John Wilks presents complex concepts in a calm and accessible way. The course exceeded my expectations.”
“A thoughtful course that helped me better understand the connection between stress, regulation, and rehabilitation.”
“The accompanying book is an excellent resource. I have already referred back to it several times.”
“This course gave me a new perspective on how manual therapy may influence the nervous system and client wellbeing.”
“The explanations around vagal pathways and physiological regulation were detailed without becoming overly technical.”
“A valuable continuing education course for anyone interested in the intersection of rehabilitation and neurophysiology.”
“I appreciated the balanced approach. The course remained practical while still exploring the underlying science.”
“The material helped me better understand why some clients respond differently to similar treatment approaches.”
“The discussion of autonomic balance and recovery was especially useful when working with stressed and fatigued clients.”
“The course was professional, well structured, and highly relevant to modern rehabilitation practice.”
“One of the most interesting courses I have completed in recent years. It expanded how I think about treatment outcomes.”
“Excellent presentation quality and an impressive depth of content. The information was both practical and thought provoking.”
“The course connected anatomy, physiology, and clinical application in a way that was easy to understand.”
“I found the sections on stress response and nervous system regulation particularly valuable.”
“A highly engaging course. The concepts have influenced both how I assess clients and how I explain treatment.”
“The vagus nerve is often oversimplified. This course provided a much more nuanced and clinically useful understanding.”
“The material was detailed, balanced, and presented responsibly. A refreshing approach to a popular topic.”
“I appreciated the emphasis on evidence, physiology, and realistic clinical application.”
“The course improved my understanding of nervous system influences on pain, recovery, and rehabilitation.”
“Very well presented. The content was intellectually interesting while remaining highly relevant to practice.”
“The workbook and video content complemented each other perfectly. I learned a great deal from both.”
“A worthwhile course for therapists wanting a deeper understanding of how physiology influences treatment responses.”










