Question: If HRV can vary from day to day, how can we be assured the performing the measurement at 4-12 week time periods will be an accurate reflection of overall improvement?

I recognize the connection to the chiropractic adjustment having a positive influence on HRV. I have also read and listened to material discussing the daily measurement of HRV in determining state of fatigue and overtraining (specific to athletes). If HRV can vary from day to day, how can we be assured the performing the measurement at 4-12 week time periods will be an accurate reflection of overall improvement?

Answer by Dr. David Fletcher: The combination of HRV and Chiropractic Care are predictors of performance and recovery

You are correct that HRV can be used to identify an “acute” stressor state as in post-exercise or post-trauma (emotional or physical). An HRV reading registers the balance and the activity at the time of the collection. Like BP readings, they can be influenced by situations or environments. Like BP, they also tell a deeper story about the chronicity of the situation at hand. We recommend collection in a quieted state. This is the advantage of using the PWP as a collection instrument.

The simultaneous GSR streaming allows us to confirm low anxiety at time of collection. This precludes testing in a provocative manner such as orthostatic postures etc. and we recommend a 3 hour ”recovery” period post-exercise to allow the body time to ease itself out of the acute state of exercise. If you create a folio of scans after the initial one, you have the ability to track trends and shifts in the movement between PS and S along with a raising or lowering of the AAI. We also recommend that there be a commitment to scan at least 3 times over an initial 12 week window to gain an interpretive upper hand on HRV and the other sensor biometrics.

Back to HRV… when used in post-exercise situations, we are especially looking to see if the rate or pace of recovery is optimal. That means that in certain cases you can scan pre-exercise and watch them post-exercise at timed intervals to track their recovery. A traditional “exercise stressor” would create a Left shift and then ease its way back. The faster the recovery, the healthier the response. To get the baseline in this and any case, the initial scan must be done in the quieted and recovered state.

The real value of HRV interpretation is the ability to observe complex systems achieve a greater sense of ease and balance, especially after they have been stressed. This is described as a state of coherence and is highly desirable as the complex systems become highly efficient and thereby adaptable.

Thanks for reading!

Get Started with INSiGHT Scanning

Take our Free Practice Strategy Assessment. A Personalized Guide and Expert Strategy Call to Help Determine How Scanning will Help you Grow
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. David Fletcher is actively involved in all aspects of innovation teaching and research connected to the INSiGHT™ scanning technologies. He is widely recognized for his ability to share his expertise in compelling and easy to understand ways.

Dr David is a renowned chiropractor who practiced for many years with his associates in a scan-centric thriving principled family-based practice in Toronto. He is a sought-after teacher mentor and keynote speaker who takes every opportunity to share the wisdom and the power of chiropractic as it is meant to be.

https://insightcla.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/david-1.png
Dr. David Fletcher
DC FRCCSS(C) – Founder & CEO CLA Inc.
LIKE THIS ARTICLE? HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

The Incredible Value of Chiropractic Screenings

This practical guide provides details on how to use screenings to maximize the opportunity to share the message of chiropractic in your community.

Read these Next…

Get Informed

Join 23,121 other Chiropractors and receive topics covering day to day challenges of running your practice.
+