Ancient Wisdom

The term, "Rare Collectors Edition" implies something that is old and valuable. Also scarce and difficult to procure. If the item offers practical value as well, I consider it to be even more precious.

One of the books in my collection has all of these traits: Entitled, Clinical Kinesiology Instruction Manual by Alan G. Beardall, D.C.; it embodies a wealth of information about how to use muscle testing for diagnosis. I knew Dr. Beardall when we were both members of the International College of Applied Kinesiology in the late 1970s, and was excited when he shared many of his research findings in a series of books. A decade later, he was no longer with us, other than through his published works.

Therapy Localization and Finger Modes

A key concept in Applied Kinesiology is that of Therapy Localization. Here's how it works:

• The patient touches an area that is uncomfortable, painful or stressed.
• The practitioner re-tests a muscle that had previously tested strong.
• Now the muscle tests weak.
• Conclusion: The area being touched needs some type of treatment.

This information is a Godsend for a beginning chiropractic practitioner, who might proceed to adjust a segment of the spine that is being touched.

However, if the area that Therapy Localized (TLed) returns during another treatment session (or several), it may mean that the patient's problem was only addressed on a superficial level.

Dr. Beardall improved on the original Therapy Localization concept by adding Finger Modes, which he discovered through good fortune when he was least expecting a revelation. He found that when certain fingers touched each other at specific locations on those fingers, it changed the tests. Over time, he found consistent relationships between finger "modes" or positions and much more precise and useful diagnostic meanings.

With modes, the practitioner can tell whether:

• a problem is more structural, chemical or emotional in origin.
• a vertebra needs to be adjusted directly, or whether an area remote from it needs to be treated.
• a lower back problem is muscular, requires a disc adjustment or even a cranial correction.

Finger modes remove a lot of the "guess work" that prolong the length of time between the onset or discovery of a problem and its ultimate improvement.

Over the last several weeks, I've been introducing finger modes into the practice with noticeable and gratifying results.

A Life-Saving Video

Thanks to Richard McAlpine, we have the following video available for download. I will take it down from my website after a month. Richard and his wonderful family are enthusiastic patients who have shown me time and again how much they care for others.

http://www.drstuart.net/downloads/areyourcarmirrorsadjustedcorrectly.wmv

Just right-click the link to save the video to your computer. Feel free to email it to others. This safety video could prevent many unnecessary auto accidents and save many lives.

You, too, are a Rare, Limited Edition

According to Paul Valery (1871-1945, French poet and aphorist), "Books have the same enemies as people: fire, humidity, animals, weather and their own content."

That's quite a quote to contemplate. We can take good care of our books, if we are so inclined, and if we hold onto them long enough. But do we take antioxidants for ourselves? I checked my patient records and found out that only a quarter of the people I've seen in the office have ever gotten a nutritional supplement from me, even though I've gone to seminar after seminar to become expert in recommending them. Books should be leather-bound, not people!

As far as the "...their own content" part of the quote, our emotional content often takes us down if we don't know how to handle it. Would you like to learn how to take the "charge" off of strong feelings that come from the battering that life can give any of us? Many patients who do well for long periods of time suddenly go downhill after a period of emotional stress. If I get a lot of comments or questions about that, I'll write an article about self-help techniques for dealing with this issue. Otherwise, I can easily teach you in the office. Please send your questions or comments through this link: http://www.drstuart.net/feedback.php.

Best wishes for abundant health and happiness,

Stuart C. Marmorstein, D.C., D.B.C.S.