What is the Autonomic Nervous System?

The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions such as digestion, respiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure. It controls actions that occur below the level of conscious awareness. The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic nervous system, which accelerates the heart rate and increases blood pressure during times of stress, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows the heart rate and decreases blood pressure during relaxed states. Working together in a dynamic balance, these two systems maintain homeostasis and enable the body to respond to internal and external changes.

Why Test the ANS?

Getting your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) tested can provide valuable insight into how your body responds to stress. The ANS controls critical bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure that operate automatically. However, chronic stress can dysregulate the ANS and increase health risks. ANS testing uses sensors and software to measure how your ANS responds to stressors and relaxation. The results can help identify any imbalances and guide lifestyle changes or therapy to bring your ANS back into balance, which may improve conditions like anxiety, insomnia, fatigue. This test can also help detect serious health risks that should be addressed immediately.