What is heart rate variability?
The timing between heart beats should vary beat-to-beat. That is called heart rate variability (HRV). The more HRV, the greater a person’s health. Low HRV has been linked to physical and emotional dis-ease or body malfunction.
Heart rate variability has been used to evaluate the nervous system
Analysis of the beat-to-beat intervals (heart rate variability) has been used to evaluate the nervous system balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. Analysis of beat-to- beat variability is a simple, non-invasive technique to evaluate autonomic dysfunction and may be a tool to assess the changes in autonomic activity associated with the reduction and correction of vertebral subluxations. A search of the relevant literature found that some controlled studies suggest that very thing: chiropractic care may improve heart rate variability in a positive way – meaning that nervous system function improves.
The author writes, “Vertebral subluxations may result in altered autonomic nervous system activity. Heart rate variability is a reliable and valid tool that may be used to assess the changes in autonomic activity associated with the reduction and correction of vertebral subluxations.” (1)
- Kent C. Heart rate variability to assess the changes in autonomic nervous system function associated with vertebral subluxation. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. October 16, 2017:201-208.