Understanding Insight Scans: The Technology Behind Our Neurologically-Based Care

At Carver County Chiropractic, we believe in going beyond symptoms to understand the root cause of dysfunction within the body. One of the key tools that helps us do just that is our Insight Scans—a set of non-invasive neurological scans designed to measure how well your nervous system is functioning and adapting to stress.

Whether you're a parent seeking care for your child, an expecting mom navigating pregnancy, or simply someone looking to feel and function their best, these scans provide essential insights into how your body is handling the demands of everyday life.

What Are Insight Scans?

Insight Scans are a series of three gentle, non-invasive tests that give us a window into your autonomic nervous system—the part of your body responsible for managing stress, healing, digestion, sleep, immune response, and more.

Here’s what we measure:

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

This scan measures how adaptable your nervous system is. A healthy HRV means your body can easily shift between "fight or flight" and "rest and digest" modes. If your HRV is low, it’s a sign your system may be stuck in stress mode—something we often see in kids and adults alike.

• Surface Electromyography (sEMG)

Think of this like a stress test for your nervous system. This scan measures electrical activity in the muscles, showing us where tension or imbalances in symmetry and pattern may be affecting your nervous system’s communication with the rest of your body.

• Thermography

This scan measures temperature patterns within the nervous system to assess how well your nervous system is regulating blood flow and organ function. Asymmetries or inconsistencies in temperature can indicate areas of nerve interference.

Understanding Neurological Stress

The nervous system is constantly adapting to the world around us—and sometimes, that stress can build up in ways we don’t even realize.

Some of the most common sources of neurological stress include:

• Birth trauma – Even the most routine deliveries can place significant strain on a baby’s nervous system. Forceps, vacuum extraction, long labors, or C-sections can all leave a lasting impact.

• Prenatal stress – Baby’s nervous system begins developing in the womb, and stress during pregnancy—whether emotional or physical—can impact both mom and baby.

• Fertility stress – The emotional, hormonal, and physical toll of fertility challenges can place the nervous system in a chronic state of "fight or flight," making it harder for the body to function optimally.

• Toxins – Everyday exposures to processed foods, environmental toxins, and medications can overload the body’s natural detox systems and disrupt neurological balance.

• Thoughts – Chronic stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm (what we call "emotional subluxations") can directly impact the nervous system’s ability to regulate and heal.

• Traumas – Physical injuries, falls, car accidents—even something as simple as poor posture or heavy backpacks—can create tension patterns that interfere with the nervous system’s communication.

These stressors can accumulate over time, especially in little ones, whose nervous systems are still developing. That’s why it’s so important to have a clear, objective way to measure how stress is impacting the body.

Why We Use These Scans

As neurologically-based chiropractors, we don’t guess—we test. These scans allow us to:

✅ Create customized care plans based on your unique stress patterns
✅ Track your progress over time with clear visuals and data
✅ Provide gentle, specific adjustments that support your body’s healing

We especially love using these scans with our pregnant moms and pediatric patients, as they give us a clear, objective way to support nervous system development and stress regulation during these vital seasons of life.

If you're curious about how stress may be affecting your nervous system—or you want a deeper understanding of your child’s development—Insight Scans are a powerful place to start.

We’d love to walk alongside you on your journey to better health and function!