Proprietary Posts for Students
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture® The fight-flight (FF) response is a short-term survival mechanism mediated by the adrenal glands and regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This endocrine cascade bypasses neural pathways, such as the vagus nerve, to prioritize immediate survival. In TCM, this dynamic is represented by the relationship Read More
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture®. Parasympathetic Dominance: The Dorsal Vagal Freeze Response: The dorsal vagal freeze response is an extreme parasympathetic state in which the body enters a shutdown mode in response to overwhelming stress. Unlike typical parasympathetic activation, which restores balance, the freeze state represents pathological yin—a state of hypoactivity
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture® Trauma refers to an overwhelming experience that exceeds the parasympathetic buffering capacity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). It can arise from physical injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), natural disasters, or a life-altering medical diagnosis. Trauma also includes emotional experiences such as death, divorce,
The recent election cycle in the US came on the heels of a global pandemic that plunged much of the world into prolonged states of confusion, fear, and isolation. As social structures frayed, waves of conflicting information eroded trust in authority and fueled skepticism toward Western medicine across the spectrum. Just as society began to
© 2024 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture®. Contributions from mental health and trauma professionals like Peter Levine, PhD, Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD, and Svetlana Masgutova, PhD, illustrate the role of the nervous system and the biochemical processes involved in trauma. However, their profound insights have not yet translated into effective treatment solutions
Primitive reflexes form the foundation of the human nervous system, acting as building blocks for complex motor and cognitive functions. These automatic, involuntary movements present at birth gradually integrate as the child matures. Controlled by cranial nerves in the brainstem, these reflexes establish a balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, supporting motor movement,
