The Doctor of the Future
TECHNIQUE
Stephan P. Ediss
D.C., P.A.K., F.I.A.C.A.
TO QUOTE THOMAS EDISON, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
These words are true about today’s healthcare society. As chiropractors, we have noticed a larger influx of interest from patients to help them with their various health issues beyond manipulative therapy. Now, as we consider the triad of health (chemistry, emotions, and structure), we are fulfilling the prophetic statement made by Thomas Edison. With this in mind, let’s look at where modem science and research have brought our industry today in consideration of biomechanical function and chemistry.
While focusing more on subluxations and their effects on efferent nervous system output, chiropractors can easily skip over neurologic proprioceptive afferent input and chemistry balance. A simple metaphor to explain this dynamic is that the central nervous system (the spinal cord and the brain) is the hard drive of your body. All proprioceptive qualities (pain, vibration, temperature differentiation, and joint position) act as software, gathering information and delivering it to the hard drive from the periphery. The hard drive then interprets the input it receives and sends appropriate responses back to the body.
The original explanation of this dynamic was first explained in a research paper by Richard Belli, DC, DACNB (page 118), “The Deep Tendon Reflex as a Functional Neurologic Analysis and Treatment Tool,” found in Applied Kinesiology Synopsis, Second Edition by David Walther. In his paper, Dr. Belli discussed the use of deep tendon reflex (DTR) stimulation to reset dysfunctional proprioceptive relationship between the periphery to the central nervous system.
The net effect of a DTR reset technique is to improve afferent and efferent communication. DTR stimulation can have a profound effect on the patient’s nervous system, musculoskeletal system, organs, glands, emotions, etc. The result of making these corrections is a down-regulation of the CNS, PNS, and in the end, pain modulation with enhanced function. With the ability to have an effect on all of these various systems, we can enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of chiropractic treatment.
Another effective tool used to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of chiropractic treatment is the use of the injury recall technique (IRT). The concept of IRT originated in the field of podiatric medicine by Robert Crotty, DPM. It was later taught to Wally Schmitt, DC, DIBAK, DACNB, by Gordon Bronston, DPM. Using his neurology background, Dr. Schmitt then refined the technique. The clinical findings of IRT are associated with cerebellar adaptation and habituation to areas of injury and trauma. Injury results in numerous alterations and stretches reflexes as they adapt to flexor reflex at efferents that arise from nociceptors. If the trauma is significant enough, secondary effects of nociception become the new normal as the patient adapts to the trauma. Going back to the computer metaphor, old trauma acts as a bad file in our hard drive (CNS), altering its speed and accuracy of function. Understanding the concept of IRT makes it easier to perform the technique.
Simply put, IRT is the reversal of a withdrawal reflex. When we experience trauma, we execute a withdrawal reflex neurologically. If the trauma stimulus comes from behind us, we move our body forward, put our head into extension, contracting the suboccipital muscles, leaving a “bad file” in the affected nerve pathway. If the trauma is in front of us, the withdrawal reflex moves our body away from the stimulus, retracting our hands and feet from the stimulus. To delete these “bad files,” we simply open the affected nerve pathway and reverse the withdrawal reflex by either placing a light stretch into flexion on the suboccipital muscles or light dorsiflexion of the neck of the talus at the mortise joint. But what about the chemistry?
The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for their discoveries of thennal and mechanical transducers. Their studies “have allowed us to understand how heat, cold, and mechanical forces are sensed and transformed into nervous impulses that enable us to perceive and adapt to the world around us” (www.nobelprize.org). They discuss the concept of ferroptosis, a recently identified form of pathophysiological cell death. It is a form of necrotic cell death by oxidative damage to phospholipids. These damages lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage to cells.
Ferroptosis plays a critical role in driving programmed cell death and aging. Ferroptosis is regulated in part by glutathione. Piezo is from the Greek root meaning “pressure.” Piezo-1 (mechanical receptors) are involved in controlling ion channels, including calcium ions into cells. Piezo-1 is activated by mechanical overload, leading to an influx of calcium. Abnormal mechanical signals are converted into ferroptosis by the associated signals through piezo-1. Increasing calcium influx yields decreased glutathione production, destruction of mitochondria, and increased cellular death, leading to chondrocyte aging and osteoarthritis.
When we experience trauma, we execute a withdrawal reflex neurologically.
By supplying the body with the necessary building blocks for detoxification, oxidation (ROS), and mitochondrial function, we can limit the effects of ferroptosis. By adding a viable source of magnesium, we can support the reversal of the calcium influx, thus limiting osteoarthritic development. It is also important to supply the necessary nutritional support for the metabolism of methionine. A byproduct of incomplete metabolism of methionine is homocysteine, which can be very damaging to the vascular systems of the heart and brain. However, the complete metabolism of homocysteine renders the building blocks for joint health and repair.
In summary, by restoring proper nervous system function (both afferent and efferent functions), which reduces mechanical overload and supplying proper nutritional support, we can have a more profound effect when administering chiropractic care.
Stephan P. Ediss, DC, PAK, FI AC A has over 300 hours of certified training as a professional applied kinesiologist and has been in practice for 31 years. All his knowledge is compiled in an organized, easy-to-follow, step-by-step protocol resulting in amazing clinical outcomes. Call him at 307-358-3147 or email at [email protected].
