Three Scans to Assess Nervous System Function
These three scans provide valid, reliable, and reproducible measurements of nervous system function, offering objective insights into how well the body adapts to stress and heals. By tracking progress over time, they ensure that chiropractic care is making measurable improvements in neurological health.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Scan
The HRV scan measures the adaptability and flexibility of the nervous system—key indicators of neurological well-being. Variability in heart rate reflects the body's ability to shift between sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) states. A balanced HRV indicates a well-functioning nervous system, while a stuck pattern may reveal chronic stress, poor adaptability, and increased susceptibility to health challenges. Because flexibility is the foundation of well-being—affecting digestion, immune function, and emotional regulation—HRV is one of the most powerful markers of overall health.
- NeuroThermal Scan
The NeuroThermal scan assesses how well the autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates vital functions such as digestion, immunity, and hormonal balance. By detecting temperature variations along the spine, this scan identifies localized impacts of subluxation and dysautonomia—nervous system dysfunction that may contribute to issues like colic, reflux, constipation, chronic ear infections, allergies, adrenal fatigue, and sleep disturbances. When these systems are out of balance, the body struggles to maintain proper function, leading to chronic health challenges. The NeuroThermal scan helps pinpoint where neurological interference is occurring, allowing for targeted chiropractic care to restore function.
- NeuroSpinal EMG (sEMG) Scan
The sEMG scan evaluates neuromotor tone and efficiency, making it an essential tool for understanding how trapped tension, fatigue, and imbalance impact brain function. This scan is especially valuable for children and adults facing challenges like Autism, Sensory Processing Disorders, ADHD, and Anxiety, as these conditions are often rooted in dysregulated motor and nervous system tone. Because motor function directly influences brain development, identifying neuromuscular dysfunction early is critical for optimizing growth, learning, and emotional regulation.
The sEMG scan identifies three key neurological patterns:
- Raging Bull – A nervous system stuck in overdrive, leading to hyperactivity, impulsivity, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
- Drunken Bull – A nervous system struggling with coordination, focus, reading comprehension, and communication difficulties.
- Raging Drunken Bull – A combination of both patterns, often found in long-standing nervous system dysfunction, especially in children with significant developmental challenges.
Since the nervous system is highly adaptable, positive changes are always possible. While adults may take longer to see progress, children often experience rapid improvements due to the plasticity of their developing nervous systems. However, this also means that neuromuscular dysfunction left unaddressed can disrupt development for years, underscoring the importance of neurologically-focused chiropractic care for children.
Breaking Down the INSiGHT EMG Scoring System
- Total Energy Score – Measures overall nervous system activity; high scores suggest sympathetic dominance (often seen in "Raging Bull" cases).
- Pattern Score – Reflects neurological tone; lower scores indicate postural fatigue, emotional dysregulation, and weak core stability.
- Symmetry Score – Assesses right vs. left balance in the neurospinal system, which is essential for brain function, coordination, and motor control.
These scans provide powerful, objective measures of nervous system function, ensuring that care is both targeted and trackable, leading to profound improvements in health, development, and overall well-being.