Dr. Emily Savage of Revive Upper Cervical Chiropractic explains what heart rate variability (HRV) is and how it is linked to the autonomic nervous system. She also shares how upper cervical chiropractic care can positively impact HRV, blood pressure, and overall heart function, leading to better adaptability to day-to-day stressors.
If you or someone you know can benefit from this video or a boost in their immune system with an upper cervical adjustment to help with heart health, stress, recovery, or other illnesses. Our doctors are highly trained and work to treat the condition’s cause and not just the symptoms. Most cases can heal naturally without any invasive procedures or medication dependency.
Hey everyone, Dr. Emily Savage here with Revive Upper Cervical Chiropractic. I have a very important question for you today. I want to know, what is HRV? I’ll give you a hint: I’m not asking you about the Honda HRV or the Honda CRV, or anything like that. In this context, when we ask about HRV, we’re looking for heart rate variability. What is that? It’s the variation in the intervals between your heartbeats, and really, at the end of the day, the sign of a healthy heart is having some fluctuations in those beats.
Heart rate variability is linked to what’s known as your autonomic nervous system, which is made up of your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. In a perfect world, these should work together in harmony and really balance each other out.
Here’s the difference between the Parasympathetic vs Sympathetic Nervous Systems:
The Parasympathetic Nervous System is responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response. When activated, it helps slow down the heart rate, increase digestive activity, and promote relaxation. It’s like tapping the brakes on the body’s activity and conserving energy.
The Sympathetic Nervous System is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response. When activated, it helps increase heart rate, dilate airways, and release adrenaline, preparing the body for action in response to a perceived threat. It’s like stepping on the gas pedal and revving up the body’s activity.
Together, these two systems work to maintain balance and regulate bodily functions in response to different situations. When one system is activated, the other may be suppressed to maintain equilibrium.
As a general rule of thumb, you can think of having a high HRV to be associated with somebody who’s got better recovery, maybe a little bit better health, better adaptability, whereas a lower HRV is usually a sign of increased stress, maybe illness. That’s just a general rule of thumb. It may not be true in all cases all the time.
All these kinds of fluctuations and things like your heart rate and your blood pressure are regulated by a part of your brain called the brainstem. It’s at the base of the brain, at that point where your brain transitions into your spinal cord.
There’s actually been some research done that shows that upper cervical chiropractic care has had positive impacts on HRV, blood pressure, and just the overall functioning of the heart. Because with that, we’re better able to balance out the kind of harmony between different aspects of your nervous system.
If you know of anybody who’s looking to better adapt to day-to-day stressors, send them our way. We’d love to help them.
For other resources, you can look up #ReviveHeartHealth on all the social platforms – Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
If you are in or around the Cranberry Township area and are looking for a resource to help. In that case, you can visit us at the Revive Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
Our practice is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm; Wednesday from 1 pm to 6 pm. You can also drop by on Fridays between 9 am to 12 noon.
To schedule a consultation with Revive Upper Cervical Chiropractic, call 724-772-7060 or fill out the form below.
And so if you have any questions on improving your immune system, please leave them in the comments section below. If you are outside of the greater Pittsburgh area, check out our referral map, https://www.reviveucc.com/referralmap/ and we’ll help you find a professional in your area.
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