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Abstracts
- Skeletal Mechanics Within the Balance State and the Application of The McArthur Method
- Vertebral Subluxation as a Binary Component in the Balance State and the Application of The McArthur Method
- Regional Synchronization Method: Predicting Vertebral Misalignment Patterns to Provide a More Effective Treatment
Vertebral Subluxation as a Binary Component in the Balance State
and the Application of The McArthur Method
Introduction
Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to view the vertebral subluxation as a singular phenomenon, and its sole correction as an impetus for spinal balance restoration. However, understanding that balance is constant, and at minimum a binary event, one should approach this phenomenon differently. Diagnostic acuity sharpens when utilizing a philosophy based on the principles of Dynamic Coupling, which is commonly witnessed throughout nature. This binary event is presented by the body to the observer as a short leg syndrome,1 and its correction completes balance and the patient’s recovery becomes enhanced or shall we say dynamic?
Methods
This work is a result of thirty years of field experience coupled with six weeks of epiphanous nights after the passing of my mother. What began as a single notion that the thumb is the same as the big toe has blossomed into a new method of chiropractic application, and possibly a paradigmatic shift in healing.
Precept
Dynamic Coupling is a universal, automatically occurring phenomenon.2 It can be observed in nature as the attraction of opposites, polarizing elements that result in equilibrium. It is the mechanism for balance. Balance derives its meaning from Latin, meaning “two plates,” describing weight scales. Balance is equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements. 3 By definition, balance must involve at least two entities or, as in the case of spinal/skeletal mechanics, two bones. Balance requires motion and is governed by Newton’s Third Law stating that for every action (force), there’s an opposite but equal reaction (counterforce). The spine must always remain balanced, either congruently or incongruently. A congruent state is referred to as plumb. Plumb is a downward, straight median line representing the directional force of gravity. If the spine must remain balanced and this requires at least two bones, deviation from plumb becomes, at minimum a binary event. This phenomenon is called coupling.4 It is as automatic as any other coupling in nature. The body consists of paired and single bones. Ideally, paired bones are equally positioned, contra-lateral to the plumb line, while single bones are squarely centered on the plumb line. Paired bones balance each other. Single bones polarize to other single bones with similar anatomies between body regions.5 Like balances like.
Results
Each body region contains paired and single bones and balance accordingly. There are three body regions: the head region (skull bones, hyoid, atlas, axis), the upper region (C3-T12, ribs, sternum complex, shoulders, arms), and the lower region (L1-coccyx, pelves, legs).6 Various aspects link the head region to the lower two regions when balancing. The upper and lower regions have duplicated anatomy and can be superimposed. Each region possesses similarities that permit nature to autonomically balance through coupling. Both begin with a lordotic spinal curve (cervicals in the upper region, lumbars in the lower), next a kyphotic curve (thoraces in the upper, and sacrum in the lower), then continue with support structures between the spine and extremities (the shoulders in the upper region, and the hips in the lower), and end with a pair of extremities. To balance, cervicals couple to lumbars sequentially, and sacrum couples collectively to components of the thorax. The sternum is the anatomical counterpart to the sacrum.7
The coupling process is not limited to bones, but includes muscles and nerve distributions. Each region contains similar type muscles which perform similar functions. Further inspection reveals that these muscles share innervations from coupled vertebrae. As an example, note the levator scapula 8 in the upper region versus one of its counterparts, the quadratus lumborum 9 in the lower region. Each arises from similar areas in their respective region, courses through similar pathways in their region, and performs similar functions for their region, and has innervations common between coupled vertebrae; therefore are both groomed for balancing. Dermatomes also superimpose. One example would be how the C6 dermatome courses down an identical path in the upper region as does the L4 dermatome in the lower region. C6 goes to the thumb;10 L4 goes to the big toe.11 The thumb is the anatomical counterpart to the big toe.12
Discussion
Once the theory of dynamic coupling is understood, the doctor may begin to apply it in practice. Coupled bones, predominantly vertebrae, present themselves to the observer in the form of a short leg syndrome.13 This revelation opens up a fresh and clear understanding of spinal mechanics to the practitioner. A standard leg check is performed, which consists of a patient lying prone (as flat and plumb as possible) and, having eliminated any factors that may affect correct observation, notes a short leg (left or right). This is called position #1. Then the legs are flexed by the doctor to a 90 degree angle, and the leg length is again noted (short leg stays, evens, or crosses over and becomes longer than the other leg). This is called position #2. The informed observer now witnesses the locations of the primary misaligned bone in position#1 and its counterpart in position #2.14 The coupling being identified by the leg check is called a presentation.15 Once corrected, the body will continue to present any subsequent couplings in like manner, until all are cleared and the patient presents a level leg check (even legs in positions 1 & 2) that is unaltered by turning his head side to side. If head turning alters leg length, the patient has a head region coupling.16 Head couplings are different in nature, but follow the same rules of detection and correction.
Conclusion
The notion may be flawed that a corrected vertebral subluxation restores spinal balance; therefore its solitary correction may possibly be incomplete. The McArthur Method© has a unique approach to spinal analysis and detection of binary subluxations, understanding that all bones are naturally coupled to their preordained, synchronized reciprocator. Their deviation from plumb is presented to the observer as a short leg syndrome.17 Once subluxations are identified with their counterpart, their correction is more stable, complete, and effective. Patients often experience an immediate sense of relief and looseness, and their recovery is typically exponential.
1 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
2 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
3 Merriam-Webster© Online Dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balance, Definition 5b
4 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
5 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
6 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
7 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
8 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 535.
9 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 527.
10 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 1063; fig. 7.222A-B.
11 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 1064; fig. 7.223A-B.
12 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
13 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008
14 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008
15 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
16 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008
17 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008
Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to view the vertebral subluxation as a singular phenomenon, and its sole correction as an impetus for spinal balance restoration. However, understanding that balance is constant, and at minimum a binary event, one should approach this phenomenon differently. Diagnostic acuity sharpens when utilizing a philosophy based on the principles of Dynamic Coupling, which is commonly witnessed throughout nature. This binary event is presented by the body to the observer as a short leg syndrome,1 and its correction completes balance and the patient’s recovery becomes enhanced or shall we say dynamic?
Methods
This work is a result of thirty years of field experience coupled with six weeks of epiphanous nights after the passing of my mother. What began as a single notion that the thumb is the same as the big toe has blossomed into a new method of chiropractic application, and possibly a paradigmatic shift in healing.
Precept
Dynamic Coupling is a universal, automatically occurring phenomenon.2 It can be observed in nature as the attraction of opposites, polarizing elements that result in equilibrium. It is the mechanism for balance. Balance derives its meaning from Latin, meaning “two plates,” describing weight scales. Balance is equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements. 3 By definition, balance must involve at least two entities or, as in the case of spinal/skeletal mechanics, two bones. Balance requires motion and is governed by Newton’s Third Law stating that for every action (force), there’s an opposite but equal reaction (counterforce). The spine must always remain balanced, either congruently or incongruently. A congruent state is referred to as plumb. Plumb is a downward, straight median line representing the directional force of gravity. If the spine must remain balanced and this requires at least two bones, deviation from plumb becomes, at minimum a binary event. This phenomenon is called coupling.4 It is as automatic as any other coupling in nature. The body consists of paired and single bones. Ideally, paired bones are equally positioned, contra-lateral to the plumb line, while single bones are squarely centered on the plumb line. Paired bones balance each other. Single bones polarize to other single bones with similar anatomies between body regions.5 Like balances like.
Results
Each body region contains paired and single bones and balance accordingly. There are three body regions: the head region (skull bones, hyoid, atlas, axis), the upper region (C3-T12, ribs, sternum complex, shoulders, arms), and the lower region (L1-coccyx, pelves, legs).6 Various aspects link the head region to the lower two regions when balancing. The upper and lower regions have duplicated anatomy and can be superimposed. Each region possesses similarities that permit nature to autonomically balance through coupling. Both begin with a lordotic spinal curve (cervicals in the upper region, lumbars in the lower), next a kyphotic curve (thoraces in the upper, and sacrum in the lower), then continue with support structures between the spine and extremities (the shoulders in the upper region, and the hips in the lower), and end with a pair of extremities. To balance, cervicals couple to lumbars sequentially, and sacrum couples collectively to components of the thorax. The sternum is the anatomical counterpart to the sacrum.7
The coupling process is not limited to bones, but includes muscles and nerve distributions. Each region contains similar type muscles which perform similar functions. Further inspection reveals that these muscles share innervations from coupled vertebrae. As an example, note the levator scapula 8 in the upper region versus one of its counterparts, the quadratus lumborum 9 in the lower region. Each arises from similar areas in their respective region, courses through similar pathways in their region, and performs similar functions for their region, and has innervations common between coupled vertebrae; therefore are both groomed for balancing. Dermatomes also superimpose. One example would be how the C6 dermatome courses down an identical path in the upper region as does the L4 dermatome in the lower region. C6 goes to the thumb;10 L4 goes to the big toe.11 The thumb is the anatomical counterpart to the big toe.12
Discussion
Once the theory of dynamic coupling is understood, the doctor may begin to apply it in practice. Coupled bones, predominantly vertebrae, present themselves to the observer in the form of a short leg syndrome.13 This revelation opens up a fresh and clear understanding of spinal mechanics to the practitioner. A standard leg check is performed, which consists of a patient lying prone (as flat and plumb as possible) and, having eliminated any factors that may affect correct observation, notes a short leg (left or right). This is called position #1. Then the legs are flexed by the doctor to a 90 degree angle, and the leg length is again noted (short leg stays, evens, or crosses over and becomes longer than the other leg). This is called position #2. The informed observer now witnesses the locations of the primary misaligned bone in position#1 and its counterpart in position #2.14 The coupling being identified by the leg check is called a presentation.15 Once corrected, the body will continue to present any subsequent couplings in like manner, until all are cleared and the patient presents a level leg check (even legs in positions 1 & 2) that is unaltered by turning his head side to side. If head turning alters leg length, the patient has a head region coupling.16 Head couplings are different in nature, but follow the same rules of detection and correction.
Conclusion
The notion may be flawed that a corrected vertebral subluxation restores spinal balance; therefore its solitary correction may possibly be incomplete. The McArthur Method© has a unique approach to spinal analysis and detection of binary subluxations, understanding that all bones are naturally coupled to their preordained, synchronized reciprocator. Their deviation from plumb is presented to the observer as a short leg syndrome.17 Once subluxations are identified with their counterpart, their correction is more stable, complete, and effective. Patients often experience an immediate sense of relief and looseness, and their recovery is typically exponential.
1 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
2 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
3 Merriam-Webster© Online Dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balance, Definition 5b
4 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
5 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
6 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
7 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
8 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 535.
9 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 527.
10 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 1063; fig. 7.222A-B.
11 Warwick and Williams. Gray’s Anatomy, 35th British edition, 1973. Page 1064; fig. 7.223A-B.
12 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
13 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008
14 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008
15 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. Concepts and Applications of Dynamic Coupling, 2008
16 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008
17 Russel E. McArthur, D.C. The McArthur Method Procedure Manual, 2008