August 2004

Verruca: Common warts

by Dr. Howard Loomis

"Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary" describes warts as:

1. Lobulated hyperplastic epidermal lesions with a horny surface caused by a human papillomavirus that is transmitted by either contact or autoinoculation.

2. Any of the various non‑viral, wart‑like epidermal proliferations.

I don't believe most people would expect a chiropractor to be successful in treating either type. However, you are uniquely qualified to find and identify the source of stress that is disturbing normal function. Once the cause is found and can be removed or reduced, the treatment is obvious.

Richard Margil, DC, of Needham, Massachusetts, sent us the following case of a male college freshman, age 18, who developed warts. This young man had been receiving weekly chiropractic treatment for three years prior to seeing Dr. Margil and continued that practice until he graduated from college four years later.

After 18 months of receiving care from Dr. Margil, the patient reported he had developed warts on his hands and wanted to have them removed. Dr. Margil then re‑examined the young man with emphasis placed on a dietary survey and possible digestive and assimilation problems. The following is the result of that examination and results of treatment.

Signs and symptom survey

This review of the patient's symptoms and body systems suggested problems with carbohydrate metabolism and liver stress caused by bowel toxicity. There was also a strong indication of alkaline mineral deficiency consistent with excessive intake of simple carbohydrates.

Initial spinal examination findings

Posture: Right cervical shift with head forward posture

X‑Ray Findings: 63% loss of normal cervical A‑P curve

Range of Motion:

Cervical: Moderate decrease of left cervical rotation

Dorso‑lumbar: Mild decrease of left lateral bending

Palpation revealed taut and tender fibers in the posterior cervical area particularly between C2 and C3, and C5 and C7. At the shoulders the Trapezius muscles were tender bilaterally. Tightness in the upper back was noted from T2 to T5. In addition, there was misalignment of the right sacro‑iliac joint. These subluxation findings correlate well with the patient's symptoms and alarm point examination.

Dr. Margill uses either Diversified Technique or a technique utilizing a drop table. He found special emphasis needed to be placed on the middle cervical problem area with noticeable long‑term improvement.

Dietary examination

A dietary survey revealed a remarkably balanced diet in terms of protein, fat, and carbohydrate. The only weaknesses coming in less than 10 servings of vegetables per week and two cans of soda per day on average. The patient admitted to craving red meat while avoiding milk, nuts, pastries, cod, salmon and tuna, and raw vegetables! Clear evidence of digestive difficulties.

Laboratory results

Three separate 24‑hour urinalysis collections were collected about a month apart and sent to a lab for testing. All three suggested problems with carbohydrate utilization. However, the first clearly showed large amounts of uric acid and calcium oxalate sediment that gradually normalized. Volume compared to specific gravity indicated an inability of the kidney to adequately cleanse the blood. This situation improved to normal on the following two tests.

Digestive challenge

Dr. Margil then performed a digestive challenge test. That is, he palpated and identified any abnormal muscle contractions on the anterior of the body, so‑called viscero‑somatic reflexes or alarm points.

Next, the patient was given a very small, test meal consisting of controlled amounts of protein, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber. After 45 minutes the anterior alarm points were again palpated and recorded.

The point of the examination is to identify those areas that quickly become stressed after eight hours without food. These findings are then compared to body functions that are stressed every time the patient eats.

This particular patient displayed findings consistent with protein, fat and carbohydrate deficiencies. Also, there was stress when attempting to digest protein, fats, and carbohydrates. All of which leads to not only hypoadrenia, but more importantly to autointoxication in the bowel and significant stress to the macrophage or reticuloendothelial system.

Recommendations

In addition to chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Margil recommended a diet low in fats, then suggested dietary supplements to enhance digestion, bowel and liver detoxification, and protein supplements with enzymes to ensure their bioavailability. He suggested increasing water consumption by 50%. He also suggested to the patient that he chew his food more.

Progress report

After six weeks of following the dietary recommendations, the patient reported his warts gradually disappeared and were clear for two weeks. He reported he had much more energy and continued to be strong throughout the day. He reported having two to three bowel movements per day. There was a temporary setback when the patient was placed on medication and the warts started coming back. However, within three months, the warts were totally gone. Congratulations, Dr. Margil!

(Dr. Loomis welcomes input on the subjects covered in this column. To make a comment or ask a question, or to receive a FREE copy of his video titled, "Using Enzymes in Clinical Practice: The Loomis System," call 800‑662‑2630 or write to him at 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719. Visit www.loomisenzymes.com online or call 800‑662‑2630 for information on upcoming Loomis Institute seminars.)

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