How We Use HRV at SB Physio
HRV Part 5: A Smarter Way to Personalize Care, Track Recovery, and Stay Ahead of Burnout
By now, you know HRV (Heart Rate Variability) is more than just a number—it’s a real-time window into how your body is recovering, adapting, and responding to stress.
But at SB Physio, we go one step further.
We don’t just talk about HRV—we actually use it in our clinic to shape care, guide recovery, and help our patients take ownership of their health.
Here’s how.
🔬 1. We use HRV as a recovery baseline—not a diagnosis
HRV isn’t used to diagnose anything at SB Physio.
It’s used to understand how ready your system is to respond to treatment, load, or stress.
For example:
Low HRV + high pain? We may shift toward downregulation and breathwork.
Improving HRV over time? It tells us your system is adapting and healing well.
Flatlined HRV despite solid movement? Time to look at sleep, stress, or hidden recovery deficits.
It’s not about the score—it’s about what the trend is telling us.
🧘♀️ 2. We pair HRV with recovery tools that make a difference
When someone’s HRV is low, we use it to tailor specific recovery interventions. These aren’t generic wellness suggestions—they’re targeted ways to shift the nervous system and improve adaptation.
Tools we may recommend:
PEMF therapy
NormaTec compression
Red light therapy
Targeted breathwork or mobility resets
Movement sessions that prioritize calm, not intensity
These are available in our Recovery Room and bundled with programs like Access+ for ongoing support.
📊 3. We offer HRV screens as part of Access+ and wellness plans
Want to know how you’re actually recovering?
Our HRV screens take just a few minutes and give you a clear look at:
Your current HRV score
Your balance between stress and recovery
Action steps to support your system more effectively
This is available as a standalone service or can be bundled with PEMF.
And you don’t need to be injured to benefit—HRV is a powerful tool for healthy people who want to stay that way.
🧠 4. We use HRV to guide performance, pain management, and prevention
We’ve seen HRV add value in areas like:
Post-concussion monitoring
Long-COVID or chronic fatigue recovery
Stress-related pain syndromes
Return-to-sport decisions for athletes
Burnout prevention in high performers
In each case, HRV isn’t the only tool—but it helps us connect the dots between movement, stress, and healing in a way traditional vitals don’t.
📍 Want to track your HRV with us?
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, pushing your performance, or just feel stuck in a stress loop—HRV gives us a better map.
👉 Book an HRV screen or ask your therapist about integrating HRV into your care plan.
🧠 This post wraps up our 5-part series on Heart Rate Variability (HRV):
🎥 And don’t forget to watch the short video that inspired it all: HRV YouTube Animation
Disclaimer:
This blog is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health or recovery routine.
