Switching
The "Quick-Fix" balance for switching
12/10/08 08:25
A neurologically well-organized person can make coordinated movements with the opposite sides of the body at the same time and does not easily become confused. Good neurological integration expresses itself as clear awareness and coordinated control of the body, and mental acuity. Switching (neurologic disorganization) indicates a lack of integration between the dimensions of left-right, up-down, or back-front in the nervous system and body. Switching can change the results of muscle testing, giving false information.
In the switched state, a problem on the right side of the body may test as being on the left side. This is an example of a lack of proper integration of the nervous system and the body. When such lack of integration exists, it is necessary to correct switching before proceeding with other tests in order to obtain accurate information. The quick-fix correction given in the last paragraph of this section are effective, allowing for further tests to be performed with accuracy. However, since they do not address the underlying causes of switching, they are seldom long lasting.
Touching specific points (therapy localization) may be used to determine which systems are switched. The points most often used to determine the dimensions of switching are
1. the K27s-the end points of the kidney meridians to test for left-right switching,
2. CV24-the end point of the central meridian to test for up down switching, and
3. GV 27-the end point of the governing meridian to test for back-front switching. GV-I at the tip of the coccyx may alternatively be used to test back front switching. Touching the sacrum is adequate for this test.
In acupuncture, the associated points (located on the bladder meridian between the vertebrae along both sides of the spine) provide an interconnection of the bladder meridian with all other meridians. These points share the same location with important spinal nerves and with neurolymphatic massage points. The end points of the kidney meridians (kidney meridian acupuncture point number 27) are known as "the associated points of the associated points" or as "the home of the associated points." The K27s are the most important points in acupuncture. Goodheart refers to the K27s as a switchboard between the left and right sides of the body.
In order to test for switching in the left-right dimension, have the client gently touch the ends of the kidney meridians (the K27s located under the points where the collarbones meet the breastbone). The client should use the thumb on one side and two adjacent fingers on the other side of the breastbone for neutral testing and to leave his other arm free for muscle testing. If therapy localization to the K27s causes a test muscle to weaken, switching exists between the left and right sides.
Switching in the up-down dimension may be similarly tested by therapy localization (with two adjacent fingers) to the end of the central meridian (CV24, located just below the middle of the lower lip).
To test for back-front integration, therapy localize the end of the governing meridian (GV 27, located just above the upper lip) or the sacrum, and test as before. The same test may be performed by touching the tailbone. If touching any of the above mentioned points causes a previously strong testing muscle to weaken, switching is indicated in the dimension associated with the active point(s).
Switching in the tester may also produce false test results in the client. If the client is experienced with muscle testing, the client can test the possible switching in the tester directly. Or, the tester may simply perform the "quick-fix" switching corrections upon himself without prior testing.
In order to avoid erroneous results in further kinesiologic testing, switching must at least temporarily be corrected before proceeding with other tests. For accurate testing, switching must be eliminated in the tester as well. Switching may be temporarily eliminated by placing one hand upon the navel and actively massaging the points which caused the indicator muscle to test weak. The hands should then be reversed and the massage repeated. Breathe deeply while rubbing the points. Upon retesting, touching the points should no longer weaken the indicator muscle. Although temporary in effect, such switching correction will improve the reliability of the results of further muscle testing.
**
In my experience, right-left switching is the more common form of neurological disorganization. There can be many possible causes. Physical injuries, even in the distant past, can cause proprioceptors to continue signaling an imbalance, which disturbs posture, balance and mental functions as well. All dimensions of switching can also be caused by chemical imbalances (improper food, allergies, medicines, pollution...).
Mental causes of switching:
Right-Left: Conflict, indecision - usually between what you want and what you think your should. When switched, you can do what you want and it feels like what you should do. You can eat junk food and feel good doing so.
Back-Front: Behind you symbolizes the past. In front, the future. When you have back and front switched, you have a past in front of you. This means you expect today and tomorrow to be as bad as (or worse than) yesterday. Unresolved stressful experiences of the past return to haunt you. Your negative expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. The universe tends to give you what you expect.
Up-Down: When these two dimensions are switched, the individual has orientation problems. When I want to find someone with this imbalance for a demonstration, I ask, "Who must rotate a map until the streets are parallel to the actual streets?" The person who says that they must do this is most always a person in a state of up-down switching.
--Dr. Robert Frost
In the switched state, a problem on the right side of the body may test as being on the left side. This is an example of a lack of proper integration of the nervous system and the body. When such lack of integration exists, it is necessary to correct switching before proceeding with other tests in order to obtain accurate information. The quick-fix correction given in the last paragraph of this section are effective, allowing for further tests to be performed with accuracy. However, since they do not address the underlying causes of switching, they are seldom long lasting.
Touching specific points (therapy localization) may be used to determine which systems are switched. The points most often used to determine the dimensions of switching are
1. the K27s-the end points of the kidney meridians to test for left-right switching,
2. CV24-the end point of the central meridian to test for up down switching, and
3. GV 27-the end point of the governing meridian to test for back-front switching. GV-I at the tip of the coccyx may alternatively be used to test back front switching. Touching the sacrum is adequate for this test.
In acupuncture, the associated points (located on the bladder meridian between the vertebrae along both sides of the spine) provide an interconnection of the bladder meridian with all other meridians. These points share the same location with important spinal nerves and with neurolymphatic massage points. The end points of the kidney meridians (kidney meridian acupuncture point number 27) are known as "the associated points of the associated points" or as "the home of the associated points." The K27s are the most important points in acupuncture. Goodheart refers to the K27s as a switchboard between the left and right sides of the body.
In order to test for switching in the left-right dimension, have the client gently touch the ends of the kidney meridians (the K27s located under the points where the collarbones meet the breastbone). The client should use the thumb on one side and two adjacent fingers on the other side of the breastbone for neutral testing and to leave his other arm free for muscle testing. If therapy localization to the K27s causes a test muscle to weaken, switching exists between the left and right sides.
Switching in the up-down dimension may be similarly tested by therapy localization (with two adjacent fingers) to the end of the central meridian (CV24, located just below the middle of the lower lip).
To test for back-front integration, therapy localize the end of the governing meridian (GV 27, located just above the upper lip) or the sacrum, and test as before. The same test may be performed by touching the tailbone. If touching any of the above mentioned points causes a previously strong testing muscle to weaken, switching is indicated in the dimension associated with the active point(s).
Switching in the tester may also produce false test results in the client. If the client is experienced with muscle testing, the client can test the possible switching in the tester directly. Or, the tester may simply perform the "quick-fix" switching corrections upon himself without prior testing.
In order to avoid erroneous results in further kinesiologic testing, switching must at least temporarily be corrected before proceeding with other tests. For accurate testing, switching must be eliminated in the tester as well. Switching may be temporarily eliminated by placing one hand upon the navel and actively massaging the points which caused the indicator muscle to test weak. The hands should then be reversed and the massage repeated. Breathe deeply while rubbing the points. Upon retesting, touching the points should no longer weaken the indicator muscle. Although temporary in effect, such switching correction will improve the reliability of the results of further muscle testing.
**
In my experience, right-left switching is the more common form of neurological disorganization. There can be many possible causes. Physical injuries, even in the distant past, can cause proprioceptors to continue signaling an imbalance, which disturbs posture, balance and mental functions as well. All dimensions of switching can also be caused by chemical imbalances (improper food, allergies, medicines, pollution...).
Mental causes of switching:
Right-Left: Conflict, indecision - usually between what you want and what you think your should. When switched, you can do what you want and it feels like what you should do. You can eat junk food and feel good doing so.
Back-Front: Behind you symbolizes the past. In front, the future. When you have back and front switched, you have a past in front of you. This means you expect today and tomorrow to be as bad as (or worse than) yesterday. Unresolved stressful experiences of the past return to haunt you. Your negative expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. The universe tends to give you what you expect.
Up-Down: When these two dimensions are switched, the individual has orientation problems. When I want to find someone with this imbalance for a demonstration, I ask, "Who must rotate a map until the streets are parallel to the actual streets?" The person who says that they must do this is most always a person in a state of up-down switching.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Neurological Disorganization
12/10/08 08:00
Switching (Neurological Disorganization) can be compared to an electrical problem in the nervous system. The signaling within the nervous system has gotten reversed in one or more of the three dimensions. The most common type of switching is right-left switching. If we compare this to a direct current electrical system (like in a car), right-left switching is like a reversal of electrical polarity. Where you should find a positive polarity, you find negative instead.
Everyone with learning difficulties or coordination difficulties has (at least most of the time) right-left switching. The extreme of the range of learning difficulties is called dyslexia. In my experience, all dyslexics are right-left switched. Right-left switching is characterized by mental confusion and/or physical discoordination. When you hear yourself say "26" when you meant "62", or when you point to the right and say, "turn left here", you can be sure that you have become "switched".
At the end of a long day of sessions with patients, I have often said, "Turn over onto your back". When my patient replies, "I am already lying on my back.", I know that I have become switched (and correct this before proceeding).
Switching can have many different causes (physical-structural, emotional-mental, chemical-nutritional). A typical cause is a prior injury such as a sprained ankle that caused excess or sudden stretching of various proprioceptors in the involved ligaments, tendons and/or muscles. Although the physical damage may be long healed, the damaged proprioceptor may still be signaling that there has been a recent injury. As a result, the central nervous system responds correctly to this now incorrect signal and, as a result, causes inappropriate facilitation and inhibition of various muscles. As a result, the posture and balance of the body is incorrect, causing more compensatory reactions. This is one reason that people may still limp, even years after a leg or hip injury has healed.
Nutritional deficits, exposure to allergens or other toxic chemicals can produce switching.
Emotional or mental stress can cause switching. A conflict between what you should do and what you want to do often causes switching. When switched, you can do what you want to do and it seems or feels to you to be the right thing to do (even when it isn't). A typical example is the fat person who knows that they shouldn't eat ice cream... and then enjoys eating a half-gallon (two liters) and literally can't stop until they are unable swallow another bite.
Under enough stress, everyone will go into a state of right-left switching. When you start bumping into tables and door jams, you have probably become switched.
A child who is switched may find that his mind works well, but he is discoordinated. When the other kids make fun of how he throws a ball, he may decide that he will never be good at sports and become a "book worm" - a good student with a bad relationship to his body. This can inhibit the quality of his whole life.
People who are typically or always switched have real problems that inhibit their optimal functioning. Finding and correcting the underlying causes of switching can be a very important step toward health, optimal functioning, and a happy, well-adjusted life.
--Dr. Robert Frost