August 2006

The structural side of weakness

by Dr. Howard Loomis

Structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) cannot be separated. A deviation from normal in one has consequences in the other. Communication between the two is the study of neurology. Put the three together and you have the foundation that the science of Chiropractic is built upon.

In last month's column, I continued discussion of the source of stress examination begun in October by describing the structural significance of Pottenger's Saucer and its relationship to function, namely low blood glucose levels and digestive problems. This month, I'll be explaining the next step in the examination to determine the structural side of weakness, and begin to equate that to abdominal palpation and determination of specific digestive inadequacies.

I believe this to be very important to the clinician because digestive symptoms are vague, and Western medicine is unable or unwilling to perform tests that differentiate inadequate protein, carbohydrate, and lipid digestion. In other words, accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms and problems in this area is a wide‑open market in which you will find no competition.

Determining the structural side of weakness

This finding usually corresponds remarkably well with the source of the patient's symptoms, previous injuries, and surgery. Place the patient in the supine position with the neck and head supported in a comfortable position. Stand at the patient's head and grasp both of his or her arms above the wrists (be careful not to pull on the wrists). Gently and slowly flex the arms upward and then stretch them lightly towards you attempting to straighten the elbows and bring the arms overhead. It isn't necessary to bring them completely parallel to the floor. If this cannot be achieved, there is muscle contraction and probable ligament shortening in the shoulders or elbows, requiring further tests.

If both arms can be straightened and the patient is comfortable, bring the palms together and measure the relative length of the arms to each other. If the arms are the same length, the test is negative.

If the elbows straighten to the same angle but there's a difference in the length, you should suspect muscle contractions affecting the thoracic spine. There will always be a Pottenger's Saucer often accompanied by a digestive disorder and low blood sugar levels.

Next, release the patient's arms and return them to their side. Now ask the patient to relax, especially the legs and feet. Still standing at the patient's head, look at his or her feet. In particular, you wish to see if one foot is everted more than the other. Both should be angled slightly outward, perhaps at a 30‑ to 45‑degree angle but no further. If one foot is everted more than the other, this indicates the side of structural weakness and suggests possible muscle contraction and stress points associated with the bowel.

The structural side of weakness is on the side of the most everted foot. For example, if the left foot remains vertical and the right side is everted in the "normal" position, it is still the most everted foot and designates the right side as the side of weakness.

Next, compare the side of the short arm with the side of greatest foot eversion:

‑‑ Left short arm with left foot eversion  = left side of structural weakness

‑‑ Right short arm with right foot eversion = right side of structural weakness

‑‑ Right short arm with left foot eversion = crossover pattern of weakness

‑‑ Left short arm with right foot eversion = crossover pattern of weakness

These crossover patterns are very significant and require close examination since they represent advanced patterns of structural and functional dysfunction.

Determining related visceral dysfunction

Having determined the structural side of weakness, we now proceed to correlate any related physiological dysfunction by means of palpating the abdomen for muscle contraction. This will be the subject of next month's column. In the meantime, be advised that muscular contraction, or "guarding," is one of the most important early signs of inflammation and must be carefully considered in patients with abdominal pain. However, contraction also accompanies any visceral dysfunction in those muscles sharing spinal innervation with the distressed organ. Therefore, it becomes a very accurate means of diagnosis.

(Dr. Loomis can be reached by mail at 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison,WI 53719 or by phone at 800‑662‑2630. Visit his website at http://www.loomisenzymes.com.)