March 2004

Subluxation: Cause or effect? -- Part 2

by Dr. Howard Loomis

Chiropractors are well‑known experts in structural imbalance. However, the chiropractic philosophy emphasizes that both the structure and condition of the body affect how the body functions and is able to heal itself.

Structural imbalance is just one of the symptom‑producing syndromes. In order to reach your full income potential and maintain a truly holistic approach to health care, you must recognize all five syndromes:

1. Structural imbalance

2. Inadequate diet and digestion

3. Compromised immunity

4. Autonomic imbalance

5. Endocrine imbalance

There is only one condition to treat for all symptoms ‑‑ stress. The body's physiological response to all stress is identical, regardless if the source is mechanical, nutritional, or emotional. All stressors first affect the adrenal system and then move on to the mucosal lining of the digestive tract. In order to eliminate stress, we must understand and acknowledge all five of the syndromes that result from it.

If you only diagnose and correct spinal fixations and subluxations, there is no way to determine if you are treating the cause or effect of stress. In order to decipher this, you must examine general subluxation patterns and symptoms from a physiological dysfunction point of view (viscero‑somatic cause) rather than a structural point of view (somato‑visceral cause).

This column will concentrate on one of five general spinal areas ‑‑ Upper Cervical, C1 to C3; Cervico‑Dorsal, C3 to T3; Mid‑Dorsal, T4 to T9; Dorso‑Lumbar, T9 to L1; and Lumbo‑Sacral, T12 to S4 ‑‑ and discuss related symptoms and possible causes.

Upper Cervical Subluxations ‑‑ C1 to C3

The adrenal medulla is an embryonic outgrowth of the sympathetic nervous system. When stimulated, its effects are virtually identical. It is necessary for the body to maintain a normal relationship between intracellular levels of calcium and potassium in order to provide the necessary nutrients for a balanced sympathetic and parasympathetic response to stress.

There are strong sympathetic responses and weak parasympathetic responses when the body is in a potassium‑deficient state. This means that muscle contraction in the suboccipital‑upper cervical area reduces the range of motion in these articulations. It also means that the Vagus nerve (parasympathetic) is unable to adequately stimulate the organs and tissues that lead to the transverse colon. Consequently, the organs and tissues are unable to adequately respond to parasympathetic stimulation, and thus, result in a muscle contraction in the upper cervical area.

The parasympathetic innervation by the Vagus nerve affects organs and tissues because the sympathetic stimulation decreases secretions and constricts the blood vessels of the following organs:

*** Lacrimal glands ‑‑ may result in frequent dry and mattered eyes.

*** Eyes ‑‑ dilates the pupil and expressed as the inability to tolerate bright light.

*** Mucous membranes of the head and neck‑dry sinuses and mouth, thick saliva. Patients often complain of thick mucous secretions in the sinuses, a constant need to clear the throat and continual unquenchable thirst. A consistently dry mouth is also a sign of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus.

*** Thyroid and heart ‑‑ strong, rapid pulse rate.

*** Lungs and bronchi ‑‑ dries the lung and relaxes bronchial muscles, as in asthmatics.

*** Pyloric valve ‑‑ contracts, patient may complain of difficult swallowing.

*** Stomach ‑‑ inhibits the mixing of foods and reduces stomach acid, patients complain of indigestion and heartburn.

*** Gallbladder ‑‑ reduces the flow of bile. This results in gas, bloating, and constipation. A frequent cause of non‑traumatic shoulder problems.

*** Pancreas ‑‑ reduces the enzyme production and results in vague digestive and bowel complaints, and shoulder problems.

*** Liver ‑‑ releases stored sugar into the blood and reduces the inclusion of cholesterol into the bile. This results in elevated blood cholesterol.

*** Spleen ‑‑ contracts to release stored RBCs and destroy old RBCs. This increases the oxygenation of the blood.

*** Adrenal glands ‑‑ increase adrenalin to meet stress.

*** Kidneys ‑‑ reduce blood cleansing and urine production.

*** Small and large intestine ‑‑ reduce peristalsis. This results in constipation and increased flatulence, accompanied by the contraction of the ileocecal valve and anal sphincter.

In order to determine whether subluxation is the cause or effect of stress, it is important to recognize all five syndromes. The next time you adjust an upper cervical subluxation, I challenge you to consider, is this a chronic problem that has resulted from dietary stress affecting the organ/tissue?

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