Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Testing
ANS testing evaluates how well your autonomic nervous system—responsible for heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and more—is functioning. This testing is useful for detecting early signs of nerve damage, chronic fatigue, and much more. Our comprehensive ANS assessment includes heart rate variability analysis, orthostatic testing, and deep breathing exercises to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic function.
What is Autonomic Nervous System Testing?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls vital bodily functions that operate automatically, including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, and temperature regulation. ANS testing evaluates how well these systems are functioning and can detect early signs of dysfunction.
Our comprehensive ANS testing uses non-invasive methods to assess both the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches of your autonomic nervous system. This provides valuable insights into your overall health and helps identify potential issues before they become serious problems.
ANS dysfunction can contribute to a wide range of health problems, including chronic fatigue, digestive issues, cardiovascular problems, and sleep disorders. Early detection through testing allows for targeted interventions to improve your quality of life.
Our ANS Testing Methods
We use several advanced testing methods to evaluate your autonomic nervous system:
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Analysis
Measures the variation in time between heartbeats to assess autonomic balance and overall health status.
Key Features:
- Beat-to-beat heart rate analysis
- Stress response assessment
- Recovery capacity evaluation
- Autonomic balance measurement
Orthostatic Testing
Evaluates how your body responds to position changes from lying to standing, testing blood pressure and heart rate regulation.
Key Features:
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Heart rate response
- Postural stability assessment
- Circulation evaluation
Deep Breathing Exercises
Controlled breathing tests that evaluate the parasympathetic nervous system response and respiratory-cardiac coupling.
Key Features:
- Respiratory rate monitoring
- Heart rate response to breathing
- Parasympathetic function
- Stress recovery assessment
Valsalva Maneuver Testing
Specific breathing technique that tests autonomic cardiovascular control and helps identify various types of autonomic dysfunction.
Key Features:
- Cardiovascular reflex testing
- Blood pressure response
- Autonomic reflex evaluation
- Dysfunction identification
Conditions ANS Testing Can Help Detect
ANS testing can help identify various conditions and health concerns:
Neurological Conditions
- • Diabetic neuropathy
- • Peripheral neuropathy
- • Multiple sclerosis
- • Parkinson disease
- • Small fiber neuropathy
Cardiovascular Issues
- • POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- • Orthostatic hypotension
- • Heart rate variability disorders
- • Syncope (fainting)
- • Hypertension
Other Conditions
- • Chronic fatigue syndrome
- • Fibromyalgia
- • Sleep disorders
- • Digestive issues
- • Stress-related disorders
What to Expect During Testing
ANS testing is completely non-invasive and comfortable. Here what you can expect:
Preparation
Wear comfortable clothing and avoid caffeine before testing. No special preparation required.
Sensor Placement
Non-invasive sensors are placed on your chest and fingers to monitor heart rate and blood pressure.
Testing Procedures
Series of simple tests including breathing exercises and position changes while monitoring your responses.
Results Review
Comprehensive analysis of your results with personalized recommendations for improvement.
Benefits of ANS Testing
ANS testing provides valuable insights that can significantly impact your health and wellness:
Early Detection
Identify autonomic dysfunction before symptoms become severe or debilitating.
Personalized Treatment
Results guide targeted interventions and lifestyle modifications for optimal health.
Progress Monitoring
Track improvements in autonomic function over time with follow-up testing.
Comprehensive Assessment
Complete evaluation of your autonomic nervous system health and function.
