Resting Pulse Rate as a Potentially Useful Autonomic Marker for Neurologically-Based Chiropractic Practice

Many chiropractors focus on improving neurological function with their interventions, e.g., spinal adjustment of chiropractic subluxation. By definition, a chiropractic subluxation includes some type of minor biomechanical dis-relationship, e.g., a slight vertebral misalignment along with some type of neurological disturbance, e.g., an autonomic nervous system (also known as “autonomic”) dysfunction. The number of methods for assessing autonomic dysfunction, for the purpose of determining whether or not the patient needs a chiropractic adjustment is currently limited. In this commentary, the author suggests that the manually-palpated resting pulse rate assessment may be a user-friendly option that could be included in the neurologicallybased chiropractic practice to help the chiropractor decide when the patient needs a chiropractic adjustment for the purpose of improving autonomic function.