When an athlete comes in with pain or a sports injury, looking only at the area that hurts doesn’t always tell the full story. At Parascak Family Chiropractic, INSiGHT nerve scanning is used alongside a hands-on chiropractic examination to gather additional information about how the nervous system is functioning.
By combining thermography, surface electromyography (sEMG), and heart rate variability (HRV) with a clinical assessment, our Lethbridge chiropractor develops a broader understanding of how an athlete’s body is adapting to physical demands. The scans are one piece of the overall assessment and help guide individualized care recommendations.
What the Research Says
This kind of nervous-system-focused assessment is gaining traction in sports science more broadly. Heart rate variability is increasingly recognized as a non-invasive biomarker that reflects autonomic nervous system activity, offering insight into how an athlete’s body is adapting to physiological stress, training load, and recovery. Researchers also note that routine, near-daily HRV tracking tends to provide more meaningful insight into an athlete’s recovery status than a single isolated reading, which is part of why ongoing monitoring, rather than a one-time scan, tends to be more useful for tracking change over time. MDPInih
What the Scans Can Show
Each scan provides different information about how the body is functioning. Thermography evaluates patterns related to autonomic nervous system activity along the spine. Surface electromyography (sEMG) measures muscle activity and may identify areas of increased tension or imbalance. Heart rate variability (HRV) assesses how the body is adapting to physical and emotional stress.
When considered together with a thorough examination and health history, these findings may highlight patterns that warrant further clinical evaluation and help explain why an athlete may be experiencing recurring concerns or changes in movement.
Looking Beyond Where It Hurts
Sometimes the area that hurts isn’t the only part involved. Nerve scanning provides additional information that may assist with clinical decision-making by identifying patterns that can then be considered alongside examination findings.
This broader perspective helps Dr. Brad develop care recommendations that focus on the individual as a whole rather than a single symptom. For athletes dealing with recurring injuries or ongoing movement concerns, understanding these patterns can be an important part of the assessment process.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
A nerve scan appointment begins with three quick, non-invasive scans that evaluate nerve function, muscle activity, and the body’s response to stress. Dr. Brad reviews the results with you, explains what each scan measures in straightforward language, and combines the findings with your examination and health history to develop individualized care recommendations. The INSiGHT system also generates a COREscore that summarizes the scan findings and provides a baseline that can be referenced over time.
A Personal Connection to This Technology
Dr. Brad’s interest in nerve scanning extends beyond clinical practice. As a hockey player, he experienced multiple shoulder dislocations and spent years focusing only on his shoulder. It wasn’t until he visited a chiropractor that he learned spinal dysfunction may also have been contributing to his ongoing shoulder concerns.
That experience sparked his interest in chiropractic and eventually led him into the profession. More than 25 years later, he continues using INSiGHT nerve scanning as part of the assessment process for athletes of all ages, helping them better understand the factors that may be influencing movement, recovery, and recurring musculoskeletal concerns.
Curious What Your Nervous System Is Telling You?
Whether you’re dealing with a recurring sports injury, recovering from physical demands, or simply want a clearer understanding of how your body is functioning, INSiGHT nerve scanning can provide valuable information as part of a comprehensive chiropractic assessment. Dr. Brad will review your results with you, answer your questions, and explain whether chiropractic care may be appropriate based on your individual presentation. Ready to learn more? Contact Parascak Family Chiropractic today to book your nerve scan evaluation.