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by Michel Barras DC
Key Words : gait, neurological organization, neurological disorganization, Applied Kinesiology, Chiropractic
Abstract : insights on the body general neurological organization are given together with the pathological changes that can occur. Based on two studies, a distinction of two different types of neurological disorganization is proposed, their different mechanisms and clinical consequences are described together with a new corrective procedure.
Introduction
Proper therapy should only rely upon proper diagnosis (not the "educated guess"). In order to achieve this, it is fundamental to get as much of an accurate understanding of human biomechanics as possible. The purpose of this article is to go through updated concepts of the normal general body neurological organization, learn how to recognize it and therefore be able to evaluate any pathological modification, called "neurological disorganization". A population representative research model is used to confirm what seemed for years of personal clinical observations to be true, and to evaluate the general population distribution of basic pathological patterns. This experience suggests a need for a differentiated classification of neurological disorganization based upon the level of the pathological interference, their individual correction procedures being also differentiated.
Neurological organization
The term of neurological organization globally includes all the coordinate activities of the central nervous system and therefore all basic reflexes. Physiologically it is composed of three elements, the Central Nervous System (CNS), the Meningeal Membranes and the Axial Skeleton.
The CNS is considered in its conventional way and does not need to be developed here. It is however of importance to view the global aspect of the axial skeleton and some of its specific properties (piezoelectric phenomenon), remembering that it is linked mechanically and energetically to the CNS by the specific properties of the meningeal membrane system or "Core Link", all three constituting the Cranio-Sacral Primary Respiratory System, as remarkably described by Crisera1. The proper understanding of this relationship is fundamental and can be grossly summarized as follow : the different layers of the meningeal membrane system have rather specific relationships, the pia mater (the inner membrane) being intimately associated with the nervous tissues, the arachnoid mater (the middle layer) with the cerebrospinal fluid but also mechanically with the other two layers through connective tissue fibers and trabeculae, and the dura mater (the outer membrane) with the axial skeleton through its different attachments. These attachments account for the mechanical relationship. The axial skeleton and its individual components (cranium, vertebrae, sacrum and pelvis) has electromagnetic properties which interact with the CNS with the help of the meningeal membrane system. A very important stimulation is therefore accomplished through general motion, mainly gait, mechanically (dural atttachments) and energetically (piezoelectric phenomenon).
Motion of the extremities, legs and arms, has its biggest significance during locomotion, or gait. In human beings, it consists of a contralateral activity, meaning that when the left leg moves forward, the right arm (contralateral) will synchronously move forward, while the right leg and the left arm will move backward. This is termed a "contralateral gait". This contralateral synchronization is true for forward motion, but is also true for backward and sideways, together with more complex motions such as internal and external rotations as demonstrated by Goodheart2 and Walther3.4.
Neurological disorganization
A major concept has been developed by Goodheart & Walther & C. Ferreri5, which is the observable modification or loss of gait coordination, termed "neurological disorganization" . The original observation was made by Delacato6 with extreme cases of dys-synchronisations, one manifestation of which was homolateral locomotion (right leg and arm forward together with left leg and arm backward). This phenomenon has so far been attributed to dural torque or coaxial energetic torque making interference on the Cranio-Sacral Primary Respiratory System.
Study
We did a recent study (the complete parameters will be the object of a separate publication) based on 56 children , age 10 to 11, same primary public school (french part of Switzerland), 3 different classes. Among others, the purpose was to determine in that representative population the incidence of the so called neurological disorganization (homolateral static gait organization).
Procedure : general forearm flexor muscles were manually evaluated for strength with the feet in a neutral position. the right forearm flexor muscles were evaluated with the left foot forward on the opposite side (contralateral static gait position) the left forearm flexor muscles were evaluated with the same side left foot forward (homolateral static gait position) the left forearm flexor muscles were evaluated with the right foot forward on the opposite side (contralateral static gait position) the right forearm flexor muscles were evaluated with the same side right foot forward (homolateral static gait position).
Temporary correction, as described by Walther3.4, was made on every child on which was found one sign or another of switching (further publication). Results were recorded.
Results :
-23 of the contralateral group (38 children) showed one sign or another of switching.
-this group of 23 was temporarily corrected for switching then reevaluated as having all 23 homolateral tonicity (100%).
-the addition of the first group (homolateral in the clear) and the second group (homolateral after temporary correction of the switching) is 41 children or 73.2% of the total population of 56.
-in addition to this last number, it is estimated by the school authorities that 2 to 3% of that age population is unable to attend regular school and is already attending specialized institutions.
This is actually a second study, the first one having been made in a private "finishing school" of Switzerland on the same model. We do consider that the results are not representative of a general population, the sample being of 66 girls, aged 17 to 19, of 11 different nationalities, being mainly there to learn french (and accessorily not having any other goal for the year). The results are as follow : 39% homolateral (in the clear) and none of this group showed one sign or another of switching, 100% homolateral after temporary switching correction (32 out of 32), 87.9% of the 66 girls were homolateral.
Conclusions of the two studies :
- by the age of 10 to 11, over 75% of the population will show observable signs of neurological disorganization.
- in the presence of a homolateral gait in the clear, there is no sign of switching (homolateral gait may hide switching).
- in the absence of previous treatment, temporary correction of switching will uncover a homolateral gait (100%) (switching is hiding homolateral gait)
- homolateral gait dysfunction and switching are two separate entities.
Discussion
Clinical evidences and research bring the need to classify neurological disorganization in relation to two levels of interference :
1) Cranial level (or homolateral neurological disorganization)
The cranial level of interference will manifest itself as a consequence on the general gait mechanism and can be clinically observed as such by a homolateral tonicity of the postural muscles when the body is in a static gait position.
It is presumed that a cranial trauma at the wrong place, wrong speed and wrong direction, is creating a mechanical wave which is partially taken and rebounded by the cerebral falx (in the saggital plane) and the tentorium cerebelli (in the transverse plane). The consequent pulls will create an important mechanical stress locally on the bone at the convergence of the different force vectors, therefore creating a piezoelectric effect under the form of a holographic bone fault (Goodheart7). We will find 4 bone locations, two of them anteriorely on the right and left portions of the frontal bone, and for the other two on the right and left portions of the occipital bone.
Clinically (the subject concealing findings by contacting the involved cranial area with one hand), the left frontal together with the right occipital faults are concerned with forward motion and the right frontal together with the left occipital faults are concerned with backward motion.
Corrective procedure is therefore very simple and fast and will show 100% immediate change in the gait from homolateral to contralateral. This change will stay forever unless there is a new head trauma, as history will always reveal it. We can therefore say that a homolateral neurological disorganization is always and only the consequence of a cranial trauma. The incidence in the population also shows that in this case we do not have the spontaneous capacity of self recuperation.
This mechanical impact on the skull also make us think of a probable secondary implication of the cranio-cervical junction in every case.
2)Spinal level : Atlas/Occiput - L5/Category I level (or Switching neurological disorganization)
The spinal level of interference will mainly manifest itself as an imprevisible neuromuscular response to a given stimulus.
Crisera and others, and before them B.J.Palmer8, have stated that this spinal level is not only concerned with biomechanics, but also with bioenergetics. The crucial location of the Atlas in relation to the spinal cord and the brain stem puts it in the front line for interference with the coaxial core through piezoelectric phenomenon. The clinical consequences of these interferences are numerous and we will voluntarily limitate ourselves to the aspect of muscle neurophysiological disponibility evaluation (muscle test) and make the remark that too often the lack of constant findings by this mean is due to such a type of interference.
L5 level was associated with the Atlas due to its "Lovett relationship" (they rotate in a synchronous manner in solidarity). Any interference with the proper mechanics of these two levels will therefore need to be corrected, anywhere from the foot to the cranium, in order to change this dysfunction. It is obviously a difficult task and only a rigorous systematic chiropractic mechanical approach (Leaf9) will allow it (further publication).
Conclusion
A basic comprehension of the underlying pathology is necessary to determine the means of correction and this allows a new definitive corrective procedure to be elaborated. Reliable population representative studies show a distribution of neurological disorganization much more important that what would be expected. Its wide population distribution ( over 75% of the population by the age of 10 to 11), increasing with age as long as it is " acquired ”, has to question the accuracy of a muscle neurophysiological disponibility evaluation (muscle test), as generally used in some fields, and corrective procedures (definitive and temporary) should be used before any attempt to a diagnostic or therapeutic conclusion. The subdivision into a cranial level and a spinal level should be appropriate in the sense that it is based on the etiology which in turn implies specific corrective procedures.
References
1. CRISERA PETER, "Cranio-Sacral Energetics", Vol I, 1st edition, Privately Published by S.M.I.srl, Rome, Italy, l997.
2. GOODHEART GEORGE, " Cross Pattern Crawling and Muscle Spasm ”, The Digest of Chiropractic Economics, March/April 1969
3. WALTHER DAVID.S, "Applied Kinesiology ", Vol I, "Basic Procedure and Muscle Testing", Systems DC, Pueblo, Colorado, 1981
4. WALTHER DAVID.S, "Applied Kinesiology Synopsis", Systems DC, Pueblo Colorado 1988.
5. FERRERI CARL, "Neural Organization Technique", Privately Published, 1986.
6. DELACATO CARL H," The Diagnosis and Treatment of Speech and Reading Problems ”, Springfield, IL, Carles C. Thomas, 1963
7. GOODHEART GEORGE, " Applied Kinesiology, Workshop Procedure Manual ”, page 34, Privately Published, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, 1986
8. PALMER B.J., " The Chiropractic Specific ”, Chiropractic Fountain Head, Davenport, Iowa, 1934
9. LEAF DAVID," Applied Kinesiology Flowchart Manual ”, 2nd edition, Privately Published, Plymouth MA, 1996
© 1998 All rights reserved.
