THE
UPLINK
Merging Contemporary Chiropractic Neurology and Nutritional
Biochemistry in the Tradition of Applied Kinesiology
Issue No. 4 © Walter H. Schmitt, Jr., D.C., D.I.B.A.K., D.A.B.C.N.
Late Summer, 1996
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MORE
ON CENTERING THE SPINE
In this issue of THE UPLINK (THE UPdate
on the LINKs Between the Nervous System and the Body Chemistry)
we continue discussing updated and simplified concepts of "Centering The
Spine" (CTS), particularly relative to lateral spinal flexion patterns and
endocrine imbalance.
TO
REVIEW...
The spine as a unit can move in only 3 directions: 1)
lateral flexion, 2) flexion and extension, and 3) rotational torque as in right
and left gait patterns. All other
spinal motions are combinations of these 3 motions. Each of the CTS positions can be created by central neurological
control mechanisms which also affect endocrine or autonomic function.
What this means is, when there is an imbalance in any
of these major body control mechanisms, such as endocrine function, it will
affect spinal mechanics. Of course, any
subluxation corrections we make are best made with the major CTS factors
corrected first.
LATERAL FLEXION:
FIX
THE ENDOCRINES FIRST
In the supine position, lateral flexion of the
spine reflects the relative function of the adrenals (and the reproductive
organs) versus the relative function of the thyroid. These patterns must be corrected first to insure that other
corrections are effective. Lateral
flexion, convex to the left (head and feet to the right) is associated with
overactivity (really overstimulation) to the adrenal glands or the reproductive
glands (ovaries or testes.)
) = excess steroid
(adrenal or gonadal)
( = excess thyroid
Lateral flexion convex to
the right (head and feet to the left) is associated with overactivity (really
overstimulation) to the thyroid gland.
TL THE COCCYX
The best way to identify an
overactive steroid (adrenal / gonadal) or thyroid pattern is to identify a weak
muscle and see if it strengthens on TL to the coccyx. (Note: A weak muscle will show all 3 types of muscle weakness:
G-1, G-2, and G-2 submax, in the presence of endocrine lateral flexion patterns
which affect the coccyx.) If coccyx
TL strengthens a weak muscle, it will not weaken a strong muscle unless lateral
flexion is added (except in the case of a coccyx subluxation, of course.)
Have the supine patient TL
the coccyx and then place the body into a lateral flexion position. If the coccyx TLs with a ) curve,
then the adrenals (or gonads) are overstimulated. If the coccyx TLs with a ( curve, then the thyroid is
overstimulated.
CHALLENGE THE NLs
If the excess steroid
pattern is present, have the patient TL the adrenal (or gonadal) NLs and
challenge them with substances which normally stress the adrenals: sugar,
caffeine, salt, etc. One offender will
cause the adrenal (or gonadal) NLs to TL.
Treat the adrenal NLs with IRT with the offender in the mouth.
If the excess thyroid
pattern is present, have the patient TL the thyroid NLs and challenge them with
possible thyroid offenders. This might
be adrenal or gonadal tissue, or interestingly enough, potassium often shows up
as the thyroid offender. Treat the
thyroid NLs with IRT with the offender in the mouth.
This will correct the spinal
lateral flexion pattern and allow your subluxation corrections to have more
lasting effects.
RETURN TO ISSUE 3
After correcting or ruling
out CTS lateral flexion problems, now is the time to check the emotional NV
points. (See THE UPLINK issue
3.) It is much easier and more
effective to correct this source of CTS flexion-extension problems NOW, prior
to correcting subluxations and other faults.
n LATEST LABS - A VERY COOL
TEST: Do you know about the "Bacterial Overgrowth in the Small
Intestine" laboratory test? If
results of this test on patients in our office are any indication, you
should! Dr. Marty Lee presented
information on this test at the ICAK-USA Regional Meeting in Atlanta and we
(Dr. Yanuck and myself) started performing it soon after. We have been amazed and shocked at the
results on some of our more difficult patients.
HERE IS THE GIST OF IT:
Although bacteria are main inhabitants of the colon, few if any should
be present in the small intestine. This
is due, in great part to the effects of hydrochloric acid sterilizing our food,
and hence the upper gut. However,
bacteria may take residence in the upper gut for several reasons including a
fertile environment for growth which means plenty of carbohydrate. Of course CHOs are rapidly digested and
absorbed UNLESS:
1) they are excessive in the diet,
2) enzyme deficiency exists such as lactase in lactose
intolerance, or intolerance to other starches and sugars such as maltose
intolerance or sucrose intolerance,
3) insufficient HCl production allows bacterial overgrowth in
which case the CHOs in our diets feed these bacteria instead of us.
CHOs in the small intestine allow bacteria to proliferate
which creates many problems including indigestion, gas and bloating, stool changes,
and many toxic symptoms WHICH YOU MIGHT NOT SUSPECT. (This is the same mechanism which causes problems in lactose
intolerance which is well known. Other
than lactose, CHO intolerances are usually overlooked.) The bacteria release hydrogen and/or methane
gases which diffuse through the gut wall and are released by the lungs in the
exhaled air. The patient ingests a
non-digestible sugar (lactulose) and then takes a breath sample with a
very simple and ingenious collection device every 15 minutes for 2 hours. A positive result (of which we have seen a
number) is seen with a significant elevation of hydrogen or methane in the
breath during that period.
Try this test on patients who are EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO SUGAR
or those with gas, bloating, ICV, or any toxic symptoms which recur in spite of
your treatment. I suspect you will be
amazed as we were at the outcomes. The
test is performed by Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab: (800) 522-4762.
PROVISIONAL AK INDICATION to perform this test: Small intestine NLs (quadriceps and/or abdominals) TL to strengthen a weak muscle, BUT these NLs will only weaken a strong muscle with simultaneous oral challenge with some sugar: sucrose,