May 2004

What do you have to see before you know what to do?

by Dr. Howard Loomis

If you cannot answer this question, please consider the following.

Is your focus too narrow? Do you make your patient fit into your scope of practice or do you first attempt to ascertain the cause of the patient's problem? Many doctors unknowingly fall into this trap. Luckily, there is a way to change your mindset.

To be a successful practitioner you must focus on locating the underlying source of symptoms. This can be done by employing a convenient methodology that includes a case history, dietary analysis, and physical examination. This procedure can then be followed by any necessary lab tests before you decide on a course of action. Now, let's compare your thinking to that of the doctor that handled the following case.

Case history

A 31 year old female art director presented with chronic digestive problems including severe gas and bloating, episodes of constipation and diarrhea, and skin problems. She complained of hypoglycemia, low energy, and mood swings. She described her hypoglycemia as reactive and accompanied by continual dry mouth. She had an extensive family medical history. Allergies, asthma, heart disease and drug addiction were of particular notice.

This patient had suffered continual back and neck pain and had not had a menstrual period in the last year. In addition her dentist had diagnosed an oral cavitation on the right side with osteomyelitis and systemic toxicity from mercury fillings.

She was using oral contraception and was being treated medically with hypothyroid medication for six years. She was also taking testosterone, estriol, tri est, and DHEA.

Dietary survey

She took an extensive number of vitamin and mineral preparations. She craved sweets, grains, and nut butters. A personal interview revealed that she avoided all dairy, sugar, beef, pork, fish, fruit and juices, almonds, kidney beans, and soy.

A look at her dietary preferences revealed that she used whole grain breads, dry cereals and nuts as morning snack food. Mid-afternoon snacks included cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts, whole grain crackers or cereal. She claimed to chew her food well but often noticed whole food in the stool. She drank adequate amounts of water and avoided soft drinks and alcohol.

My point is not to determine whether this woman would be best served by a medical, chiropractic, acupuncture, or any other therapeutic approach. Rather, in such cases, we must first determine the source of stress exhausting the normal body processes. Once the cause is identified, the treatment is obvious!

Signs and symptom survey

One handy piece of information is an extensive symptom survey questionnaire that categorizes symptoms into major organ groups. The patient fills out such a form separate from a personal interview.

In this case, the major areas of symptom occurrence were digestion and bowel elimination. There was an importance attached to symptoms of sympathetic dominance and alkaline mineral deficiency (potassium, magnesium and sodium). Notice her cravings for sweets, grains, and nut butters and her use of these items that are high in alkaline minerals for mid morning and mid afternoon snacks. The problem is that she does not digest these foods, and the result is cravings and mineral deficiencies.

Carbohydrate intolerance, alkaline mineral deficiency, and symptoms of sympathetic dominance could account for all the symptoms the patient complained of, but further examination is warranted.

Physical examination

A screening procedure for posture and abnormal ranges of motion revealed a slightly posterior anterior sacral base and ramrod type A P spinal curves. Cervical compression was positive indicating a contributing cervical problem. A palpatory examination for "jump signs" or trigger points revealed severe pain and tenderness in the upper cervical spine associated with subluxation of C1 and C2. This can be associated with symptoms of sympathetic dominance and alkaline mineral deficiency.

Restricted heel tension in the right foot returned to normal when the prone patient turned her head to the left. With the head in that position, extremely painful palpatory points were found on the right side of C4 to C5.

A positive Derefield test corresponded to a painful trigger point on the right side of the sacrum and the left side of the 4th lumbar. Several other trigger points were found in the mid thoracic area where the loss of normal kyphotic curve was evident. Pottenger's saucer is always associated with digestive problems, adrenal insufficiency and hypoglycemia (either functional or reactive).

Finally, palpatory soreness was palpated around the left side of the coccyx. The patient instantly remembered a severely painful coccygeal injury 18 years prior that took over a year to "heal" and had been omitted from her case history!

The clinician performed an external correction to reposition the coccyx without forceful manipulation. There were immediate and profound changes in the other painful palpatory areas of the body. The patient was instructed to perform specific stretching exercises for the cervical spine and mid thoracic areas to help the body adapt to the dramatic change. Dietary advice and enzyme supplementation were also provided.

The next day, the patient was markedly improved and quite elated that while her focus had been on nutrition and digestion, the real cause was an 18 year old structural injury.

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