02/11/2026
❤️ Heart Rate Variability Scans/HRV is one of our favorite measurements to look at when you start care in our office!
Heart Rate Variability measures your nervous system’s reserve and ability to adapt to daily and eventful life stressors. It looks at the nervous system globally and gives insight into the capacity of your parasympathetics in restoring function and bringing you back to midline after a sympathetic, fight or flight, experience. Experiences like a tough workout, a stressful encounter at work, an argument with a loved one, too much sugar or alcohol, or a poor night of sleep all cause a sympathetic stress response in the body and brain.
A healthy nervous system can adapt to these experiences with ease and return to a parasympathetic, rest and restore, state quickly. However, in our culture of constant stress and busyness, many people are stuck in a state of sympathetic, fight or flight, dominance. In this case, heart rate variability will be low, and this is an indicator that help is needed with nervous system regulation.
A neurological chiropractic exam includes nervous system scans that identify areas of nervous system stress. A chiropractor trained in these methods can work with patients to create individual care plans to address their unique needs.
Heart Rate Variability is highly individualized and fluctuates greatly. There are many factors that affect the trends and results of nervous system scans. Working together with a chiropractor, an action plan can be formulated to reduce stress and increase adaptability. When you are under regular chiropractic care, your nervous system is primed to move you back to midline.
Questions? Give us a call 515-967-9300, we’d love to evaluate you and help you fall in love with your health!
