The 60-Second Chiropractic Screening Test
VISCERAL STRESS MANAGEMENT
Article 11 of 12
Howard Loomis
WE HAVE FINISHED ADJUSTING OUR PATIENT AND BEFORE HE OR SHE LEAVES THE TREATMENT ROOM, WE ASK THE PATIENT TO SIT AS WE CHECK TO SEE IF THERE ARE REMAINING INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS.
LET ME CLARIFY THAT WE DON’T DO THIS SCREENING
PROCEDURE IN ACUTE CONDITIONS WHEN THE PATIENT IS STILL IN OBVIOUS DISCOMFORT. THIS IS A SCREENING PROCEDURE AND THIS SERIES OF ARTICLES HAS FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON THE PROCESS OF DIGESTION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ENERGY PRODUCTION. MY INTENTION HAS BEEN TO HELP CHIROPRACTORS TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THEIR EDUCATION AND MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF OUR CAPABILITIES FOR RESTORING NORMAL BODY FUNCTION BEFORE A DISEASE PROCESS BECOMES EVIDENT.
Step One - Universal Stress Point is Positive
We begin by palpating across the top of the shoulders. Every patient knows that area is related to stress. Because the trapezius runs upward from T12 to the points of the shoulders and then continues upward to the base of the occiput, it will reflect muscle contractions that occur anywhere in the body as it struggles to remain upright against gravity, regardless of the cause—structural, visceral, or emotional.
When we find increased muscle tension, we know that this body is still under stress. Chances ai e excellent that because this procedure is being done immediately following a chiropractic adjustment, structural misalignments have been removed and what remains is coming from visceral dysfunction.
The following checklist comprises those elements of the “fight or flight” (stress) response. Such a checklist cannot cover every possibility without a full health evaluation. Spot-checking occasionally on every patient is a good idea, though, especially on those patients who have continually recurring structural problems for no apparent reason.
CHECKLIST WHEN THE UNIVERSAL STRESS POINT IS POSITIVE
Stress causes constriction of blood vessels and elevates the pulse rate. Have you checked the patient’s blood pressure and pulse rate? Have they increased?
Acute stress increases the body’s metabolic rate. Is the patient on medication for hyperthyroidism? Chronic stress exhausts the thyroid gland. Is the patient on medication for hypothyroidism?
Since there is increased involuntary muscle tension across the top of the shoulders, there is increased blood flow to active muscles and blood is being directed away from organs not needed to meet the increased demands being placed on the body, such as the digestive system. Does the patient have a digestive problem? Does the patient regularly use antacids? Does the patient take a proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker?
Under stress, the body reduces digestive secretions, such as production of stomach acid and the flow of bile, and the bile thickens. Does the patient use OTC medications for gas and bloating? Has the patient’s gallbladder been removed?
5. The body normally places cholesterol in the bile. Under stress this process is reduced. Does the patient take a statin drug?
6. Stress increases blood clotting to prevent bleeding in the event of injury. Does this patient take an aspirin every day, or is he or she on so-called “blood thinners”?
7. When under stress, the body mobilizes fat to use as an alternative energy source. When prolonged over time the triglyceride levels rise and insulin production from the pancreas gradually decreases. Is the patient borderline diabetic? Is the patient already on medication for diabetes?
Finally, when under stress and energy deficient, the liver increases conversion of glycogen to glucose, and the cells send their stored amino acids to the liver for conversion to glucose. These amino acids would normally be used by the cells for growth and repair, especially repair of damaged tissues.
Is the patient protein deficient? The following symptoms are suggestive of a protein deficiency:
1. A patient will have increased secretions from the mouth, nose, and eyes.
2. Does the patient have edema or swelling of the feet, legs, or hands?
3. Are the patient’s hands and feet cold?
4. Does the patient not tolerate or dislike exercise?
5. Does the patient experience pink coloration on the toothbrush?
6. Does the patient experience muscle cramps at rest or at night?
If the patient is female:
7. Does she experience menstrual cramps?
8. Does she suffer from premenstrual syndrome or have menstrual irregularity?
9. Does she have postmenstrual symptoms, such as hot flashes?
10. Does she suffer from osteoarthritic pain?
I know that is a lot to keep in mind when you are palpating the universal stress point and it may discourage some of you. However, here is how I handled it:
• At least 30 minutes before I began seeing patients in the morning, I briefly reviewed all of the cases I would see before lunch.
• I checked to see if we were on track for both the patients and my expectations for progress. If we were, then at least I had reviewed the case and was ready to continue where we left off at our last visit.
• If, however, things were not progressing the way I had explained to the patient when we started, or if this patient was returning for an unscheduled appointment, I reviewed the above checklist as it pertained to his or
her case.
• What was the patient’s history? What medications was the patient taking? Was there anything on the checklist that I may not have given adequate attention to?
• For “drop-ins,” this screening procedure accompanied by a postural screening is a perfect place to begin before doing “the same old thing.”
Step Two - Passive Shoulder Fixation
Once you have ascertained that there is involuntary muscle contraction across the top of the shoulders, check to see what extent this muscle contraction affects sternoclavicular range of motion. The examiner stands behind the seated patient. Reach your left arm around the front of the patient’s neck and roll your left thumb behind the head of the head of the right clavicle above and behind the sternoclavicular articulation.
Now your right arm passively abducts the patient’s right arm past 90 degrees. The head of the patient’s right clavicle should be felt to move posterior and inferior into the patient’s chest as the arm reaches and passes 90 degrees. When unrestricted movement occurs without pain, the test is graded as normal and we know there is not yet shortening of the ligaments in that articulation. When movement occurs with some discomfort or restriction, we know there is ligamentous shortening that is graded as mild.
We are simply determining the extent of structural misalignment in response to involuntary muscle contractions coming from any source. Restriction may be coming from the neck, the thoracic spine, or the rib cage.
When movement occurs with an audible “clicking,” grade the restriction as moderate. The restriction may be occurring within the shoulder itself and may be due to a local injury or involve muscle contraction anywhere else in the body. Regardless, the source must be found. Lack of movement at the sternoclavicular joint implies a severe restriction and requires further investigation. Then, check the left side to determine if the shoulder problem is bilateral. Never rule out the possibility of thyroid, lymphatic, heart, or respiratory stress in any nontraumatic shoulder problem.
Next month, I will conclude this series of articles by proceeding with our 60-second chiropractic screening test and discussing step three (Pottenger’s saucer) and step four (hemipelvis).
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, WI53719, customerservicedfi loomisinstitute. com
