Visceral Stress Management: The Second Factor in Chiropractic
TECHNIQUE
The 60-Second Chiropractic Screening Test Article 12 of 12
Howard Loomis
IN THE PAST 11 ARTICLES, I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT MY PROPOSED CHIROPRACTIC SCREENING PROCEDURE. IN MY EXPERIENCE, MOST CHRONIC, RECURRING, STRUCTURAL SUBLUXATION AND MISALIGNMENT PATTERNS ARE CAUSED AND PERPETUATED BY UNDERLYING VISCERAL DYSFUNCTIONS THAT MAY NOT EVEN BE SYMPTOM PRODUCING YET. THE POINT IS TO FIND ANY UNDERLYING CAUSE IN SUCH CASES INSTEAD OF TREATING SYMPTOMS. ONCE THE CAUSE IS FOUND, THE TREATMENT BECOMES OBVIOUS. EVEN IF THE PATIENT DOES NOT WISH TO CHANGE A LIFESTYLE CAUSE, AT LEAST YOU HAVE INSTRUCTED HIM OR HER ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM BECOMING WORSE. PATIENTS ALWAYS APPRECIATE THAT AND USUALLY WONDER WHY NO ONE ELSE EVER POINTED THAT OUT TO THEM. I HAVE FOUND THIS PROCEDURE IS A GREAT WAY TO BUILD A PRACTICE.
Last month, we discussed the symptoms associated with stress and palpating for involuntary muscle contraction across the top of the shoulders —that area your patients recognize as their universal stress point. If we looked at all the organs receiving sympathetic innervation from the upper thoracic spine and correlated the effects ofthat stimulation when under stress, we would arrive at the following symptom patterns:
Organs, Spinal Innervations, and Functions Eyes TI -T2 Dries the eyes and dilates pupils Mucous TI -T3 Dries membranes of the head and neck S alivary TI -T2 Dries glands Thyroid T1 Stimulates Heart TI -T6 Increases pulse rate and force of contraction Lungs TI -T7 Stimulates rate of respiration Bronchi TI -T7 Relaxes bronchi and increases secretions
I know you are aware that the presynaptic fibers from T1 to T4 synapse with the superior ganglion and, therefore, will cause involuntary muscle contractions in that area of the spine as well as the upper thoracic spine.
We also checked passive shoulder abduction and range of motion at the sternoclavicular point. Any structural misalignment, over time, causes the body to restrict range of motion at this point as it straggles to maintain itself upright against gravity.
Now we are ready to proceed with the last two steps in the 60-second procedure, checking for loss of normal thoracic kyphosis and an unlevel pelvis in the sitting position.
Step Three - Pottenger’s Saucer
After ascertaining that we have involuntary muscle contraction across the shoulders, we ask the patient to bend his or her head forward. Then, slide your fingers down the thoracic spine checking for loss of normal kyphosis.
You should feel the "C-shaped" posterior curve of a normal thoracic kyphosis. Observe if there is a “flattening” between the shoulder blades, usually between T4 - T5 to T8 - T9.
Pottenger's saucer is not a permanent or static condition. It is transitory and caused by muscle contractions emanating from the abdominal organs, especially those associated with digestive dysfunction in the stomach, biliary system, pancreas, duodenum, and jejunum. These visceral dysfunctions invariably result in low available glucose levels, whether functional or reactive. It is interesting to note that this is found consistently with muscle-tension headaches. Obviously, there is a connecti on because of the involvement of the trapezius muscle, with its upper, middle, or lower sections.
If we look at the digestive organs innervated from within the so-called Pottenger’s saucer, we find the stomach, liver and biliary system, pancreas, duodenum, and even the adrenal medulla.
Organs, Spinal Innervations, and Functions Biliary system T4-T8 Relaxes muscle and contracts sphincter Stomach T5-T9 Inhibits secretions and peristalsis Pyloric valve T9 Contracts Pancreas T5-T9 Inhibits secretions Spleen T6-T8 Contracts muscles Liver T4-T10 Increases blood sugar and protein metabolism; decreases cholesterol secretion into bile Adrenal medulla T5-T11 Increases adrenaline
Upper Abdominal Palpation
When a Pottenger’s saucer exists, and based on the information provided above, we could palpate the abdomen for involuntary muscle contractions above an imaginary horizontal line drawn through the umbilicus. Prior to doing so, it is imperative
that we ask the patient when he or she last ate a meal and what was in the meal. Recall that the abdominal muscle contractions aie, like Pottenger’s saucer, transitory and aie present only when an organ is unable to perform its normal functions.
Based on that and the presence of abdominal muscle contractions, we can draw some general conclusions regarding diet and what factors in the diet would burden specific organs during digestion. For example:
• Muscle contraction or soreness found in the epigastrium would indicate a lack of adequate mucosal lining to protect against stomach acid.
• Upper right quadrant muscle contraction and soreness would suggest a stomach acid and bile deficiency.
• Upper left quadrant muscle contraction suggests inadequate sugar digestion, such as lactose or gluten intolerance and excess sucrose ingestion.
• Muscle contraction in the linea alba, halfway between the xiphoid process and umbilicus, is more vague but does suggest gas, bloating, and even bowel toxicity or so-called “leaky gut.”
Step Four - Hemipelvis (unlevel pelvis when sitting)
While the patient is still seated, slide your hands down to the top of the iliac crests and determine if the hips are level. Of course, we all know that a wallet in a hip pocket may cause a pelvis to be unlevel. Nevertheless, this may be the cause of recurring back pain, and occasionally it is overlooked. Be aware that a short (asymmetrical) ilium occurs in 20 to 30% of the population, which is caused by pelvic rotation and is invariably found in patients suffering from restless legs syndrome. Please don’t forget that the involuntary muscle contractions involved here may be from dysfunction of organs in the lower abdomen.
If you have cleared your patients’ structural issues before performing the above tests, any positive tests are an indication of visceral problems that need to be addressed. Here are some possibilities when sympathetic stimulation predominates:
Organs, Spinal Innervations, and Functions Small intestine T9-LÍ Inhibits peristalsis and secretions Ileocecal valve LÍ Constricts Kidney T10-T11 Vasoconstriction Sex glands Male T10-Til Contracts muscles Female T10LÍ Urinary bladder T12-L2 Relaxes muscle and contracts sphincter Large intestine LI -L3 Inhibits peristalsis Anal sphincter L3 Contracts
Lower Abdominal Palpation
When a hemipelvis exists, and based on the information provided above, we could palpate the lower abdomen for involuntary muscle contractions below an imaginary horizontal line drawn through the umbilicus. Prior to doing so, it is imperative we ask the patient relevant questions concerning the regularity of bowel elimination and use of OTC medications for relief of infrequent bowel movements or frequent, soft movements. Asking if they are constipated or experience diarrhea seldom elicits an accurate response because individuals vary in their understanding of those terms.
Urinary problems are now epidemic, as witnessed by the frequency of TV advertising of catheters. Perhaps even more relevant for chiropractors are muscle contractions associated with decreased blood flow through the kidneys, causing muscular back pain.
Based on that and the presence of abdominal muscle contractions, we can draw some general conclusions regarding diet and what factors in the diet would burden specific organs during digestion. For example:
• Muscle contraction around the periumbilical area is associated with colicky indigestion and muscle cramps in the small intestine.
• Lower right quadrant soreness and involuntary muscle contraction suggests a tendency to infrequent bowel movements accompanied by upper cervical involvement.
• Lower left quadrant soreness suggests a tendency for frequent, soft bowel movements accompanied by pelvic muscle contractions.
• Muscle contractions above the pubis accompanied by burning during urination suggest an inadequate mucosal lining of the bladder often associated with pH imbalance, which is caused by something such as excess coffee or soft drink consumption.
It is my hope that these articles based on the simple 60-second chiropractic screening test have helped you discover the possibilities of visceral dysfunctions causing, perpetuating, and preventing coll ection of structural problems in your patients.
Dr. Howard Loomis has an extensive background in enzymes and enzyme supplements. He is the founder and president of Enzyme Formulations®, Inc. His knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and enzymology has made him a sought-after speaker and a prolific writer: Dr. Loomis published ENZYMES: The Key to Health in 1999. Contact info: 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719, customer serviced@ loomisinstitute.com
