Category: Techniques

If you have been in practice for any length of time, you probably have heard a comment from a patient saying she has gotten pregnant while under chiropractic care. Sometimes inferences are made as a joke, “Hey, my chiropractor got me pregnant.” People within the chiropractic profession aren’t always surprised by this, as improved function of the reproductive system can often result in pregnancy.

Infertility is described as the inability to become pregnant after a year of trying. Infertility impacts about 12 percent of women (7.3 million) in the United States between the ages of 15 and 44 and is becoming an increasing concern for our society.¹ Infertility specialists focus on factors outside of the human body in order to solve the puzzle of infertility. Fertility drugs, like Clomid, are the main treatment for women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders. These medications regulate or induce ovulation and work like natural hormones to trigger ovulation. However, side effects of fertility drugs include dizziness, hot flashes, enlargement of the ovaries, an increase in ovarian cancer, and multiple pregnancies.²

Aside from drugs, Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is another option, with the most common form of ART being In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF treatment involves retrieving mature eggs from a woman, and fertilizing them with a man’s sperm in a dish in a laboratory and implanting the embryos in the uterus, three to five days after fertilization. However, IVF treatment can be uncomfortable, can be very costly and can increase your chances of having more than one baby at a time (think the recent “Octo-mom”).

Left: Treating a pregnant patient. Right: Special donut-shaped pregnancy pillows, that allows the patient to be prone

From a non-drug perspective, some parents are looking for alternative treatments to infertility, including acupuncture, homeopathy, stress reduction and chiropractic care. In many cases involving chiropractic care, some of the women go to a chiropractor for spinal related complaints, but then become pregnant while under chiropractic care.

With infertility, it implies that there is the potential to become pregnant; therefore, it raises the question as to what is causing the problem. There are many different suggestions as to the cause, whether it is physiological, emotional, from poor nutrition, older age, environmental factors, or some other interference. Studies have shown that interference in the physiological function, as caused by vertebral subluxation, can be helped with specific chiropractic adjustments to promote optimal health and functioning.

In a study in the May 2003 issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, author Madeline Behrendt did a retrospective review of fourteen separate articles that studied fifteen women suffering with infertility. The results showed a link between the application of chiropractic care and subsequent successful outcomes of pregnancy.³

The studies looked at fifteen female subjects ranging in age from 22 to 65. The prior pregnancy history of these fifteen women revealed that eleven of them had never been pregnant, three had prior pregnancies, and one had a history of a miscarriage. Nine of the fifteen women had previously been treated for infertility, with four of them undergoing infertility treatment at the time they started chiropractic care. They were under chiropractic care over a time frame of 1 to 20 months, and fourteen of the fifteen women became pregnant. Chiropractic techniques used included Applied Kinesiology, Diversified, Directional Non-Force Technique, Gonstead, Network Spinal Analysis, Torque Release Technique, Sacro Occipital Technique and ThompsonTerminal Point Technique.

Another article in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics reviewed case studies of eleven women, ranging in age from 22 to 42. Their prior pregnancy history included one natural childbirth, two miscarriages, two failed in-vitro fertilizations, and three failed artificial inseminations. These women presented to their chiropractic office for treatment of low back pain, infertility, dysmenorrhea, ulcerative colitis, ankle pain, and neck pain (one).⁴ After undergoing chiropractic treatment from a period of one to twenty months, all eleven women became pregnant. Chiropractic techniques used in these studies included; Torque Release Technique, Sacro Occipital Technique, diversified, Directional Non-Force Technique, and Network Spinal Analysis.

As infertility is a growing concern with women, with the noted side effects and costly treatment going the medical route, females should be encouraged to seek chiropractic treatment. It does not appear that one technique works better than another, as many different chiropractic techniques have been utilized. Chiropractic care and the correction of vertebral subluxation may result in improved function and physiology of the reproductive system and, thus, may result in successful pregnancies and births.

 

Dr. Pamela Stone has been in private practice in Kennesaw, Georgia, since 2000. She is certified in Pediatrics through the Academy of Family Practice and the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics ( C.A.C.C.P.) and is a Fellow of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. She is a Certified Pediatric Chiropractor (F.I.C.P.A.) and is certified in the Webster’s Technique. Dr. Stone can be reached at [email protected].

 

Three Brains? … Normally we think of the brain as singular! However, that concept changed when Neuroscientist Paul MacLean, Ph.D., identified three different parts of the brain: the Reptilian, Mammalian and Neocortex Brains. Each is distinctly unique and radically different from the other in chemistry, structure and behavior. MacLean describes the three brains saying, “Stated in popular terms, the three evolutionary formations might be imagined as three interconnected biological computers, with each having its own special intelligence, its own subjectivity, its own sense of time and space, and its own memory, motor, and other functions.”¹

Essentially, each of our three brains has its own agenda and can influence our health in different ways. According to MacLean: “. . . the forebrain could be compared to the driver of a vehicle. A fundamental difference is that, in the course of evolution, the brain has acquired three drivers, all seated up front and all of a different mind. While the three brains are interconnected, they also act individually. It deserves reemphasis that the three formations are markedly different in chemistry and structure and, in an evolutionary sense, eons apart. Moreover, it should be emphasized that, despite their interconnection, there is evidence that each brain type is capable of acting somewhat independently. With the evolution of the forebrain, the neural chassis acquired three drivers, all of different minds and all vying for control.”²

In many ways, this is a scary thought! Three different minds with three different agendas are trying to run the show, and it’s often not always clear who’s in control. Most of us would like to think that our Neocortex (Thinking) Brain is in control but, surprisingly, the Mammalian (Emotional) Brain is often more in control than we realize!

You’ve probably had an experience where you make a logical decision, like, “I’m not going to eat any chocolate or sugar today.” Then someone brings in a freshly made batch of brownies and, boy, do they smell great! You say to yourself, “No, I’m not going to eat any of those.” Then, before long, you start thinking, “Well, maybe just one little bite wouldn’t hurt.”

That’s the Mammalian Brain starting to take over. From there, a short battle ensues between the Mammalian and Neocortex Brains and, if you’re like most people, guess who wins. Yep, the Mammalian (Emotional) Brain wins almost every time!

 

A Brief Recap of Our Three Brains—

 

The Reptilian Brain is related to survival instinct, exploring our environment, responding to danger, the four F’s (feeding, fleeing, fighting and reproduction), instinctive or genetically-programmed behaviors, primitive sensations, aggression, territoriality and dominance, hunger, breathing, heart rate, primitive muscle reflexes, sensory motor functions, etc. Some of the physical structures related to the Reptilian Brain are the spinal cord, medulla, pons, midbrain and cerebellum.

The Mammalian Brain is related to emotions, emotional memory formation, short term memory and storage, long term memory, altruism, religious tendencies, sexuality (differences), complex sensation and perception, hormones, temperature control, timelessness (no yesterday, today or tomorrow), etc. Some of the physical structures related to the Mammalian Brain are the hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, pituitary and thalamus.

The Neocortex Brain is related to reasoning, executive decision making, mathematics, composition, invention, understanding, coordination of all voluntary muscle movements, purposeful behavior, language, nonverbal ideation, spelling, grammar, etc. Some of the physical structures related to the Neocortex Brain are the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, and cerebrum.

How the Three Brains Affect the Health of our Patients—

 

Our patients want to get well; truly they do. The average patient comes to our office because his/her Neocortex (Thinking) Brain has made a decision that it’s time to get help. As chiropractors, we do our best to resolve the patient’s complaint and, in most cases, we are very successful in helping the patient by applying our skills in adjusting the spine (here, in a large part, we’re working with the Reptilian Brain).

It’s important to note that the Mammalian Brain is probably the most powerful of the three brains in terms of healing. Much like the chocolate brownie battle described above, the Mammalian and Neocortex Brains can be in conflict as to what is best for the patient’s health. When this happens, the doctor can continue to do what he/she normally does with little to no results, while the stubborn Mammalian Brain continues to maintain its position. Often the Mammalian Brain is operating from a learned response that, at one point and time, probably served the patient in a very beneficial way. The problem is that the Mammalian Brain has no sense of time, and it may be holding on to an old pattern that is no longer appropriate or needed. To break this kind of condition, we need to address the Mammalian Brain.

How can we use the Three Brains to help our patients?—

1. Understanding that we have three brains and how they function can be very helpful in the healing process. You can always Google the Internet for more information and/or find books, charts, etc., that relate to this cutting-edge information.

2. It’s often a huge relief for patients to discover that they might have a mind-body physiological component that’s affecting their health. Let them know that they really have three brains and that, in most cases, they’re not even consciously aware when the Mammalian (Emotional) Brain is in control. Sometimes, however, patients are very aware that there’s an emotional component happening. In these cases, if you already have a way to address this factor, use your present technique(s).

If you don’t already have a way to work with the Mammalian (Emotional) Brain, here’s an easy-to-do approach that can offer relief during times of emotional and/or physical stress. It uses the Neurovascular Reflexes originally discovered by Bennett and is from an Applied Kinesiology textbook written by David Walther, D.C.: The neurovascular reflex is located bilaterally on the frontal bone eminence and is treated with a light, tugging contact, as is usual for neurovascular reflexes. It is necessary to vary the vector of tug on the skin until maximum pulsation is felt. In some cases, it may be necessary to hold the contact for several minutes.³

3. Keep learning. Nowadays, there are many techniques that engage the powerful Mammalian Brain.

The Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) is one such approach that brings the Mammalian (Emotional) Brain into the healing process. Unresolved issues related to the patient’s condition are quickly identified, which immediately activates changes in the patient’s physiology. Then a specific spinal adjustment is made to help the patient’s body come to closure with this unresolved response. The whole process takes only a few minutes and can bring amazing relief to many chronic physical problems. As you can imagine, this is very rewarding for patients who have been suffering with chronic conditions and, many times, it seems like a miracle! Dr. Scott Walker graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1965 and developed The Neuro Emotional Technique® (NET) in the early 1980’s. Dr. Walker is an instructor for the NET seminars is also the developer of a line of homeopathic products, NET Remedies, as well as the co-owner of The Home Run Practice, a practice management approach that uses NET.

Dr. Deb Walker graduated from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1978 and is the co-developer of N.E.T., Inc. Dr. Deb is the company’s CEO and one of the instructors for the NET seminars.

For more information, visit www.netmindbody.com or call 1-800-888-4638. Contact the Walkers at [email protected].

References

1. MacLean, P., The Triune Brain in Evolution, 1990, pg. 9.

2. MacLean, P., Evolution of the Three Mentalities, pg. 313.

3. Walther, D., Applied Kinesiology, Synopsis 2nd Edition, 1988, pg. 433.

Controversial as a pain generator and lacking the mobility of the adjacent spinal joints, the sacroiliac (SI) joint is an often overlooked target in the management of low back disorders. Because of the SI joints’ integral relationship with the hip joints, their assessments are also included to determine the hip’s relationship to any SI joint dysfunction. Subsequently, correction of SI joint dysfunction often involves adjusting the hip joints and their related muscles as well as the affected SI joint(s).

 

The SI Joint as a Pain Generator

 

SI joint generated pain can present as low back pain, sacral pain, pelvic pain, groin pain, or gluteal pain.¹ Schwarzer, et al., noted, “The sacroiliac joint is a significant source of pain in patients with chronic low back pain,” and “groin pain was found to be associated with response to sacroiliac joint block.”² These opinions have been echoed by Duam, who said that the SI joint is an underappreciated source of low back or buttock pain.³ DonTigny also stated that the SI joint is a major factor in the etiology of idiopathic low back pain.⁴ Figure 1 provides a cross-sectional view of the SI joint.

 

SI Joint Biomechanics

 

The SI joint has many functions. It joins the spine to the pelvis and helps to absorb vertical forces from the spine and transmits them to the pelvis and lower extremity.⁵ It also allows forces to be transmitted from the extremities to the spine.⁶ The joint is 1-2 mm wide and decreases with age but does not fuse with normal aging. It does become stiffer and less effective as a shock absorber.⁷

Unlike most joints, there are no muscles acting directly across the SI joint.⁸ Movement does occur in the SI joint and is the result of movement of the ilia by way of the hips and trunk. The joint motion is small (2-3 degrees) and occurs in the transverse or longitudinal planes.^9-11 The axes of pelvic movement passes obliquely across the pelvis. During flexion of the hip, the ipsilateral ilium glides backward and downwards. During extension, the ilium glides forward and away from the sacrum.¹²

 

SI Joint Innervation

 

The sacroiliac joint is lined with myelinated and unmyelinated nerve endings. They provide proprioception (position sense) and nociception (pain).²⁰ These nerves contribute to the feed-forward mechanism of pelvis and lumbar stabilization discussed earlier. Several researchers have investigated the relationship with SI joint neurological relationships to the supporting pelvic musculature. Indahl, et al., found that SI joint dysfunction produces suprapelvic muscle hypertonicity (primarily the quadratus lumborum muscle).¹⁸ Headley emphasized, “The most common low back pain culprit (is) the quadratus lumborum (Figure 2).”¹⁹ The muscle is chronically “over-worked” and becomes tight, tender, and ultimately ineffective in its ability to provide stability to the pelvis. Thus, it has been demonstrated that the SI joint can be a pain generator, thereby affecting other areas than the joint itself. Furthermore, pain in or around the SI joint, regardless of the cause, elicits reflex inhibition of the muscles that provide stability of the joint while exciting other muscles in an attempt to provide stability and maintain normal motor activities.

 

The Feed-Forward Mechanism

and the SIJ

 

 

Much has been discovered and written about the feed-forward mechanism of spinal and pelvic stability. It has been found that controlling vertebral intersegmental motion through the CNS-mediated contraction of various spinal and extra-spinal muscles reduces altered and/or excessive vertebral motion that cause compression/stretch on neural structures or abnormal deformation of ligaments and pain-sensitive structures.^13-15 The multifidus and transverse abdominis muscles have been implicated as two of the more important stabilization muscles. These muscles, as well as others, are “activated” by the CNS in advance of anticipated movement.

This feed-forward mechanism of stability also applies to the SI joints. Contraction of the transverse abdominis muscle has been shown to significantly increase the stability of the SI joint.¹⁶ It has been found that lumbopelvic muscles in those with SI joint pain contract differently from those without pain (both a reduced strength of contraction and speed of reaction). This includes the gluteus maximus muscle as well as the transverse abdominis (both are inhibited). In association with this alteration of the feed-forward mechanism, the biceps femoris (lateral hamstring) is activated earlier in those with SI joint pain.¹⁷ This has been referred to as an “altered motor recruitment strategy” wherein the body is recruiting the lateral hamstring to assist the inhibited gluteus maximus muscle.

SI Joint Diagnosis

 

 

The difficulty for clinicians lies in diagnosing SI joint dysfunction. In a study comparing SI Joint evaluation to gold standard SIJ arthrograms, Dreyfuss, et al., concluded that, despite all of the orthopaedic tests available, no physical examination test demonstrated worthwhile diagnostic value in SI joint diagnosis.²¹ More recently, Young, et al.,²² reported that the likelihood that SI joint dysfunction is the source of the pain increases markedly if three or more provocation tests are positive: 1) if the pain is unilateral, 2) if the pain is below L5 without lumbar pain, or if 3) pain increases with rising from sitting. Other than ruling out other sources of pain, imaging is generally not helpful.²³

The provocative test known as the “Nachlas” test in Cipriano’s book, Photographic Manual of Regional Orthopaedic and Neurologic Tests (Williams & Wilkins), and as the “Prone Knee-Bending Test/Femoral Stretch Test/Nachlas Test/Ely Test” in Principles and Practice of Chiropractic (Appleton & Lange) has been historically used to diagnose SI joint dysfunction. This is a mechanical test that exerts movement of the SI joint by way of producing torque on the ilium through the stretch placed on the rectus femoris muscle when the prone-lying patient’s knee is flexed (Figure 3). However, Nachlas is more than just a mechanical test. The stimulation of mechanoreceptors in the SI joint, lower extremity joints, and soft tissues during its performance makes it a potent neurological test as well supplying information to the CNS that activates the feed-forward mechanism discussed previously. According to the degree of SI joint dysfunction, other reflexes, both inhibitory and excitatory, are subsequently stimulated. Both the patient’s perception of pain or discomfort and the altered
motor reflexes are considered in the diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction. Two such altered motor reflexes are the hypertonicity, and sometimes spasm, produced in the quadratus lumborum and biceps femoris muscles.

Analysis of the SI joint is not complete without assessment of the hip joints. Biomechanics authority Stuart McGill, Ph.D., said, “I am continually surprised at the number of people with back troubles who also have hip troubles.”²⁴ The hip joint and its related muscles are intimately associated with SI joint function and, indeed, altered hip motion leads to or aggravates SI joint dysfunction. Once a diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction has been made, the SI joint and related structures, i.e., the hip joint, QL muscle, and biceps femoris muscle, are adjusted. Improvement or resolution of the factors used to diagnose SI joint dysfunction are used as the criteria that the adjustment was successful. Post-adjustment analysis, in addition, further confirms that the SI joint was dysfunctional and a pain generator.

Dr. Jim Gudgel has dual degrees as a chiropractor and physical therapist. He currently maintains a 500 PV/wk practice in Redwood Falls, MN. Dr. Chris Colloca is the CEO and Founder of Neuromechanical Innovations. Drs. Colloca and Gudgel are team instructors for Neuromechanical Innovations providing post-graduate seminars to chiropractors around the globe. For more information visit www.neuromechanical.com.

 

 

 

References

1. Wolfe s, et al. Worst Pills Best Pills A Consumer’s Guide to Avoiding Drug-Induced Death or Illness, Pocket Books New York, NY, 1999.

2. Ray WA, Griffin MR, Shorr RI. Adverse drug reactions and the elderly. Health Affairs 1990; 9: 114 – 122.

3. David N. Juurlink, M.D., Ph.D., et al., The Risk of Suicide with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in the Elderly, American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 163, No. 5, May 2006, pp. 813-821.

4. DonTingy, “Anterior dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint as a major factor in the etiology of idiopathic low back pain syndrome,” Physical Therapy, 1990;70

5. Dietrichs, “Anatomy of the pelvic joints,” Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatoloigy, 1991:88

7. Prather, Hunt, “Conservative management of low back pain, part I. Sacroiliac joint pain,” Dis Mon, 2004:50

8. Foley, Buschbacher, “Sacroiliac joint pain: anatomy, biomechanics, diagnosis, and treatment,” American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2006:85.

9-11.Harrison, et al, “The sacroiliac joint: A review of anatomy and biomechanics with clinical implications,” JMPT, 1997:20; Egund, et al, “Movements in the sacroiliac joints demonstrated with roentgen stereophotogrammetry,” Acta Radiology, 1978:19; Reynolds, “Three-dimensional kinematics in the pelvic girdle,” Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 1980:80.

12. Bogduk, “The sacroiliac joint,” in Bogduk, Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine and Sacrum,” 4th ed, Elsevier, 2005

13-15. Low Back Disorders, Stuart McGill; Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbopelvic Stabilization, Richardson, Hodges, and Hides; and Spinal Stabilization, The New Science of Back Pain, Jemmett

16. Richardson, et al “The relation between the transverse abdominis muscles, sacroiliac joint mechanics, and low back pain,” Spine, 2002:27

17. Hungerford, et al, “Evidence of altered lumbopelvic muscle recruitment in the presence of sacroiliac joint pain,” Spine, 2003:28

18. Norman, “Sacroiliac disease and its relationship to lower abdominal pain,” American Journal of Surgery, 1968;116

19. Schwarzer AC, Aprill CN, Bogduk N. “The Sacroiliac joint in chronic low back pain,” Spine 1995; 20

20.  Duam,“The sacroiliac joint: an underappreciated pain generator,” American Journal of Orthopedics, 1995;24

21. DonTingy, “Anterior dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint as a major factor in the etiology of idiopathic low back pain syndrome,” Physical Therapy, 1990;70

22. Dietrichs, “Anatomy of the pelvic joints,” Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatoloigy, 1991:88

23. Bogduk, “The sacroiliac joint,” Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine and Sacrum, 3^rd edition, Churchill Livingstone, 1997

24. Prather, Hunt, “Conservative management of low back pain, part I. Sacroiliac joint pain,” Dis Mon, 2004:50

25. Foley, Buschbacher, “Sacroiliac joint pain: anatomy, biomechanics, diagnosis, and treatment,” American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2006:85

26-28. Harrison, et al, “The sacroiliac joint: A review of anatomy and biomechanics with clinical implications,” JMPT, 1997:20; Egund, et al, “Movements in the sacroiliac joints demonstrated with roentgen stereophotogrammetry,” Acta Radiology, 1978:19; Reynolds, “Three-dimensional kinematics in the pelvic girdle,” Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 1980:80

29. Bogduk, “The sacroiliac joint,” in Bogduk, Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine and Sacrum,” 4^th ed, Elsevier, 2005

30-32. Low Back Disorders, Stuart McGill; Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbopelvic Stabilization, Richardson, Hodges, and Hides; and Spinal Stabilization, The New Science of Back Pain, Jemmett

33. Richardson, et al “The relation between the transverse abdominis muscles, sacroiliac joint mechanics, and low back pain,” Spine, 2002:27

34. Hungerford, et al, “Evidence of altered lumbopelvic muscle recruitment in the presence of sacroiliac joint pain,” Spine, 2003:28

35. “Sacroiliac joint involvement in activation of porcine spinal and gluteal musculature,” Journal of Spinal Discord, 1999:12

36. Headley, When Movement Hurts, 1997

37. Wyke, “Receptor systems in lumbosacral tissues in relation to the production of low back pain,” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Symposium on Idiopathic Low Back Pain, Mosby, 1982

38. Dreyfuss,“The value of medical history and physical examination in diagnosing sacroiliac joint pain,” Spine, 1996;21

39. Young, et al, “Correlation of clinical examination characteristics with three sources of chronic low back pain,” Spine, 2003;3

40. Elgafy, et al, “Computed tomography findings in patients with sacroiliac pain,” Clinical Orthopedics Related Research, 2001;382

If the body is sick, the mind worries and the spirit grieves; if the mind is sick, the body and spirit will suffer from its confusion; if the spirit is sick, there will be no will to care for the body or mind. – J.R. Worsley

The posture of subluxation (POS) is not limited to physical or emotional states. Many diverse health conditions will exhibit a unique POS.

As discussed in Part 4 of this series, we have discovered an allergy POS that, when corrected, may have a powerful effect on allergy symptoms.

That is only one example. Clinical research reveals that we can have an immunological POS, a neurological POS, a visual POS, a hormonal POS, a dyslexia POS, a weight loss POS, a bad habit POS, a smoking POS and many, many other POS’s.

Subluxations are state-specific

Why does this occur? It occurs because subluxations are state-specific. By that I mean, body structure varies with a patient’s state of mind or consciousness: structure follows consciousness.

That means, when we think of emotional traumas, diseases, habits or other issues, our structural systems change. The body will reveal subluxations that were not there a moment before. The power of mind or consciousness to affect the body is nothing new. Research into the placebo reveals it has powerful potential to reverse or modify nearly any disease.

The power of consciousness over the physical body is most dramatically evident in individuals who have a form of dissociative disorder known as multiple personality disorder. As the person shifts personalities, physical traits may dramatically change. This phenomenon is discussed in The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot (NY: Harper Collins;1991:97-100.): “In addition to possessing different brain-wave patterns…more noteworthy are the biological changes in a multiple’s body when they switch personalities. Frequently a medical condition possessed by one personality will mysteriously vanish when another personality takes over…. By changing personalities, a multiple who is drunk can instantly become sober…. Other conditions that can vary from personality to personality include scars, burn marks, cysts, and left and right handedness. Visual acuity can differ and some multiples have to carry two or three different pairs of eyeglasses to accommodate their alternating personalities.”

In light of the above, it should not surprise us that body structure would change as well. (For years I’ve heard anecdotal stories similar to the above from chiropractors who have cared for patients with multiple personality disorder.)

 

Gateway to healing

Using Koren Specific Technique (KST), we have found that body structure may not only reflect state of mind, but may also serve as a portal or gateway for healing.*

How do we use this information to address weight problems and bad habits such as smoking?

Let’s first put the patient in the posture of subluxation. One way we can do that is to ask the patient to think of their desire for food or cigarettes (or some other issue they’d like to address) and see what subluxations appear. We then adjust those subluxations while they are in that state of mind.

Clinically, we find it helps to be as specific as possible in re-creating the subluxation pattern. For example, if a person eats too much junk food or has a craving for diet soda, they should think of that specific craving—they should feel the craving, and be checked for subluxations and adjusted as they are in that state of mind/consciousness.

 

Case results

In accordance with empirical (vitalistic) philosophy, KST is based on clinical success. That does not negate the search for understanding mechanisms of action, but puts it secondary to getting the patient’s well.

 

In conclusion

Using the state-specific posture of subluxation, we have the potential to help people who are suffering from a multitude of problems. KST can be applied to various psychological problems such as drug/alcohol abuse, self-sabotaging thought patterns and other issues as well. I invite you to learn KST and explore these realms with us.

*The concept of the portal or gateway has been discussed and used by Donny Epstein, DC, developer of Network Spinal Analysis.

Koren Specific Technique, developed by Tedd Koren, DC, is a quick and easy way to locate and correct subluxations anywhere in the body. It is gentle for the patient and the doctor. Patients hold their adjustments longer. KST practitioners can specifically analyze and adjust themselves. For seminar information go to www.teddkorenseminars.com or call 1-800-537-3001. Write to Dr. Koren at  [email protected].

If the body is sick, the mind worries and the spirit grieves; if the mind is sick, the body and spirit will suffer from its confusion; if the spirit is sick, there will be no will to care for the body or mind. – J.R. Worsley

Posture of subluxation (POS)

In Parts one and two we discussed how some subluxations can only be accessed (and adjusted) when the patient is in a certain physical or emotional posture (the Posture of Subluxation or POS). We have already discussed locating the physical POS; here we are going to discuss how to locate the emotional POS.

 

A simple protocol

How do we locate an “emotional” subluxation? There are various protocols that may be used. Here is a simple one.

First, clear the patient of subluxations while they are in their typical physical and emotional postures (lying on a table and relaxed).

In order to access information from the body we need a biofeedback method. The body has many biofeedback indicators that various disciplines (AK, DNFT, Truscott, Activator, Toftness, etc.) use and any of them will work. Koren Specific Technique (KST) uses the occipital/mastoid drop (OD) as a binary biofeedback indicator to access information. The OD can be used when the patient is in any physical/emotional posture.

Let’s say you determine (using a biofeedback device) that a recent car accident was emotionally traumatic and is a priority for correction. How do we proceed?

How do we locate an “emotional” subluxation?

First, put the patient in the emotional posture of the accident. Do this by asking the patient to think of the accident. You’ll be surprised to discover that the patient you “cleared out” is now subluxated.

Now, correct their subluxations while they are in the accident POS. KST analysis and correction does this quickly and easily.

Now, if you put the patient back in the accident POS and go through the same procedure—they should be clear, no subluxations.

Are you finished?

Probably not. Emotional traumas usually have more than one posture. For example, have them think about the pain the accident caused. This is a new POS and they are probably subluxated as they think of the pain. Analyze and adjust. Next, have them think about the financial loss from lost work; the medical bills; how the pain/disability interferes with their lives; the damage to the car, etc. You can even ask them to imagine or actually have them hold their hands as if on the steering wheel, remember the terror of the impending impact, etc. Was there an earlier car accident that needs clearing out? Are they blaming themselves for the accident? Check and correct.

So you see, we are trying to elicit an OD in as many different emotional postures as we can. The patient will probably have some suggestions of his/her own.

 

Another example

Let’s assume the issue is the patient’s divorce. Ask the patient to think about his divorce. He’ll be subluxated. Adjust him. Ask him to think about his divorce again. There should be no subluxations.

Now, ask him to think about his ex-wife. He’ll probably subluxate again. Adjust him. Next ask the patient to think of his ex-wife again. There should be no subluxations.

Are you finished?

Probably not. Tell the patient, “Think about what it felt like when you decided to divorce.” Chances are the patient will re-subluxate. Analyze and adjust.

Try other emotional postures. Tell him to think about how the divorce affected the children, how it affected him financially, his feelings of disappointment, failure, betrayal, shame, etc.

 

Surrounding the dragon

Events often have many emotional postures. Go through a number of them until you simply cannot elicit an OD (occipital drop or positive biofeedback response) from the patient. Dr. Scott Walker, developer of Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), has a procedure known as “Surrounding the Dragon” in which the patient repeats many phrases related to the emotional issue (neuro emotional complex) until the patient no longer subluxates when that emotional event is recalled.

 

Original event

Dr. Walker developed a comprehensive flow chart for locating “hot” emotional issues. He uses the meridian system of Chinese medicine to determine which emotion is the priority. Meridians are energy channels that are associated with various body organs and emotional qualities. For example, the kidney meridian relates to fear, the lung meridian relates to grief, etc.

After locating the specific event or person causing the emotion, Dr. Walker locates an “original” event associated with this emotion. As the patient thinks of the event or “snapshot,” he adjusts the spinal segments corresponding to the meridian.

With KST, we can use Dr. Walker’s flow chart to discover the original emotion and event that is causing the person to subluxate. We can use other protocols, as well, or make up our own. While the person thinks of the emotion/event that creates subluxations he/she is checked and adjusted. With KST we usually find the left and right greater wings of the sphenoid subluxate in various POS.

 

That’s it

It’s that simple. KST doctors are reporting great results using this simple procedure.

 

What’s next?

The posture of subluxation (POS) is not limited to physical or emotional states.

Being state specific, we find that many different and diverse health conditions will exhibit a posture of subluxation (POS). For example, KST doctors have discovered subluxation postures dealing with allergies. dyslexia, vision, weight loss, bad habits and other postures of subluxation.

We will discuss allergies, weight loss, smoking and other self-destructive habits in Part Four.

 

Koren Specific Technique, developed by Tedd Koren, DC, is a quick and easy way to locate and correct subluxations anywhere in the body. It is gentle on the patient and the doctor. KST practitioners can even analyze and adjust themselves. For seminar information, go to www.teddkorenseminars.com or call 1-800-537-3001. Write to Dr. Koren at [email protected].

If the body is sick, the mind worries and the spirit grieves; if the mind is sick, the body and spirit will suffer from its confusion; if the spirit is sick, there will be no will to care for the body or mind. – J.R. Worsley

 

 

What happened to our connection?

We are born destined to live long, happy, healthy lives filled with love, energy, happiness, joy, inspiration, strength and peace. We are meant to live over 100 years in physical and mental health in harmony with the wisdom of life.

It is our birthright. It is our destiny.

But it doesn’t always seem that way. Too many lives are wracked by physical and mental disharmony, pain and disease. Too many die before their time.

What happened? How did we become disconnected from our essential nature, from our Source?

How do we reconnect?

Over a hundred years ago, the chiropractic profession discovered a major disconnection that affects the health of many individuals, called the vertebral subluxation. It was defined as a spinal distortion that interferes with the function of the nervous system and diminishes the connection between an individual and his/her natural inborn or innate healing ability/wisdom/perfection.

If a patient says, “It hurts when I do that…,” then have them “do that”.

The goal of the chiropractor was to locate and correct or adjust these sources of disconnection. The abbreviation DC not only means Doctor of Chiropractic but can also mean Doctor of Connection.

Adjusting subluxations is chiropractic’s unique contribution to healthcare. It is a powerful tool in bringing health, harmony and wholeness to a sick and suffering humanity. Chiropractic subluxation correction improves so many aspects of an individual’s well-being: body structure, brain function, immunological function, mental health and a multitude of diseases to which the flesh is heir.

Mental illness, in particular, responded so well that a number of chiropractic sanitariums and day hospitals were founded. The best known, Forest Park and Clear View, both in Davenport, Iowa, existed for over 40 years, reporting success rates that far exceeded those of state (allopathic) mental hospitals.

 

The posture of subluxation

We, more recently, have developed a simple yet powerful way to vastly improve the effectiveness of subluxation correction. It is based on the discovery that subluxations are posture specific and, when a patient is placed in the posture of subluxation (POS), formerly undetected subluxations are revealed and are amenable to correction.

 

Posture specific

What is meant by posture specific? It simply means that, as we assume different postures, our body structure reveals different subluxations.

There are many POS’s. The most common is the physical POS.

 

Neutral POS

Chiropractic care has traditionally addressed the patient’s subluxation while they are in a neutral POS: the patient is analyzed and adjusted while lying on a table, standing or sitting comfortably.

That has given us many excellent results, but not all subluxations are revealed when the patient is in a neutral posture.

A common example will easily clarify this: a patient feels fine after being adjusted while lying on a chiropractic table. However, after they get up and assume a certain physical posture they are subluxated again: “I felt fine after the adjustment but when I go like this I feel terrible again.” That is an indication that you missed something in your care.

What did you miss?

You missed the subluxation that occurred when the patient assumed a specific physical posture.

 

Specific examples

We are all familiar with the golfer who only feels pain or limitation at a certain position in his/her swing, the pitcher or quarterback who feels pain or limitation when holding the ball in a certain position or other instances where a change in posture reveals dysfunction.

For example, a musician had terrible pains when playing his guitar on stage. While the patient was standing and sitting, his subluxations were adjusted but when he held the guitar he was subluxated again. His subluxations were then corrected while playing and his terrible pains on stage never returned.

 

Who discovered this?

These concepts were first brought to the author’s attention by Lowell Ward, DC, of Long Beach, CA, developer of Spinal Column Stressology. Dr. Ward had a patient who felt fine standing but, when sitting, suffered from intense sciatica pain. X-rays revealed little on her standing films, but her sedentary films showed severe spinal and global misalignments. Now similar discoveries are reported when comparing standing and sitting MRI’s.

 

How do we use this information?

If subluxations are posture specific then we must analyze patients when in the posture of subluxation (POS) and then adjust them while they are in that posture.

 

How can you do this?

If a patient says, “It hurts when I do that…,” then have them “do that.” Put them in that posture of subluxation because that’s when the subluxation reveals itself and is most amenable to correction.

 

Emotional posture of subluxation

The POS is not limited to physical postures. It is perhaps no coincidence that, when we say someone “assumes a posture,” we may be referring to an emotional as well as a physical stance.

Just as a person may reveal a subluxation when put in a physical posture, so a subluxation may be revealed when the person is placed in an emotional posture (or emotional state).

This will be discussed in next month’s article.

 

Koren Specific Technique, developed by Tedd Koren, DC, is a quick and easy way to locate and correct subluxations anywhere in the body. It is gentle for the patient and the doctor. Patients hold their adjustments longer. KST practitioners can specifically analyze and adjust themselves. For seminar information go to www.teddkorenseminars.com or call 1-800-537-3001. Write to Dr. Koren at [email protected].

Your immune system works to keep you 100% natural, organic, unadulterated, you! It recognizes and destroys bacteria, viri, pollutants, dust, pollen, drugs, tumors, debris and artificial substances (metal and plastic, however, don’t trigger an immune reaction).

Many things influence how well your immune system functions: your nervous system, endocrine system, diet, genes and emotions.^1-3

Allergens and allergies

The most common immune system disorder is the allergy that occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen (dust, pollen, milk, dog or cat dander, strawberries, etc.) and the body produces too many neutralizing chemicals (especially histamines) in response.

What causes allergies?

There is increasing evidence that the cause of allergies is childhood vaccinations; they cause immune system hypersensitivity.

[Childhood vaccinations are responsible for] allergies and immune system abnormalities: food allergies (wheat and milk especially), arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, pernicious anemia…. Respiratory problems: asthma and SIDS (due to vagus nerve palsy).⁴

The medical approach

Orthodox medicine has no cure for allergies, only treatment of symptoms. Since many allergy symptoms—runny eyes, irritation, redness, fullness in the sinuses and others—are caused by histamines, antihistamines are often prescribed to dry mucous membranes. However, antihistamines can cause heart problems⁵ and should not be used with alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers.

The chiropractic approach

Allergy sufferers have praised chiropractic care for over a century. Chiropractic care is not a treatment for allergies though. The goal of chiropractic care is to locate and correct subluxations—serious nervous system stress. Chiropractic enables the immune system to function more effectively, something all allergy sufferers need since a nervous system with less stress functions more efficiently.

KST and allergies

After developing Koren Specific Technique (KST), I was often asked if it could address allergies. I’m happy to report that doctors are finding that KST can be used as a simple, yet powerful, procedure to help allergy sufferers.

The allergy “posture”

First the patient is analyzed and adjusted so they are cleared out: no subluxations. Now the patient is put in the “posture” of the allergy.

How is that done?

It is rather simple to do. All you do is tell the patient to think of their allergy. While they are thinking of it, their body will subluxate into their “allergy pattern.”

Now the allergy pattern must be located. I have found this is best done using a dynamic bio-indicator analysis system that is quickly able to locate subluxations. Bio-indicators are used by applied kinesiology (AK); muscle weakness, directional non-force technique (DNFT™) and Activator™ (a derivative of DNFT); the short leg reflex, Toftness ™; skin autonomic response and others.

KST employs the occipital drop (OD) that was discovered by Lowell Ward, DC, developer of Spinal Column Stressology, as a bio-indicator. Dr. Ward discovered that the occiput/mastoid area of the skull will appear to lower on the left when the person is stressed by a subluxation. By using the OD, the patient does not need to lie down to be checked and there is no muscle fatigue.

To continue the allergy protocol: While the patient is thinking of their allergy, the practitioner locates the subluxations that appear. In most cases, the subluxation involves the left and right greater wings of the sphenoid (anterior) and occipital bone (inferior).

In addition, sometimes a subluxation will involve the temporal or upper thoracic.

Now, the correction.

As the patient is thinking of their allergy, their subluxations are corrected or adjusted. I find an adjusting instrument works best, as this permits the patient to stay in one position while the force/energy/information (adjustment) can be directed specifically.

Next, ask the patient to think of the allergen again. There should be no OD. If there is an OD, go through the analysis and adjustment again. You may have missed something.

Are we finished?

Not quite. We have to see if the patient’s relationship with the allergen has been completely defused. Now ask the patient to think about the allergy from a different angle. For example, tell the patient, “Imagine taking the allergen and putting it in your mouth.” Then test for an OD. If you get it, locate and correct their subluxations (usually they will be the same ones you already corrected).

Try other statements to defuse the allergy. Tell the patient to imagine how they feel when they have an allergic reaction. Tell them to imagine breathing the allergen. Tell them to imagine clear sinuses or being free of other allergy symptoms.

Go through a number of these exercises until you simply can’t elicit an OD from the patient.

That’s it

It’s usually that simple. You may find an emotional reaction associated with the allergy, but that’s rare.

What exactly are we doing?

As with other allergy elimination protocols (i.e., NAET, JMT) we appear to be breaking a neurological reflex that causes the patient to overreact to an allergen.

With KST, we find that, when putting patients in the toxin posture of subluxation and adjusting them while in that posture, the allergy reflex is broken.

KST is a refinement in locating and correcting subluxations. Using KST procedures, chiropractors can easily and quickly locate and correct subluxations as they reveal themselves in any posture—physical, emotional or chemical.

Koren Specific Technique, developed by Tedd Koren, D.C., is a quick and easy way to locate and correct subluxations; it is gentle and low-force. Using KST, practitioners can specifically analyze and adjust themselves. For seminar information, go to www.teddkorenseminars.com or call 1-800-537-3001. Write to Dr. Koren at [email protected].