By Earl F. Craton, D.C.

Only living organisms generate nerve signals (NS). Their transmission follows nerve fiber pathways from receptors to effectors. Highly specialized receptors react to environmental stimuli that exceed their threshold.

We possess millions of receptors of many specialized varieties that react to only specific stimuli from our environment. The resulting nerve signal is normally received in the spinal cord and/or brain centers of integration, and thus we become aware of environmental information such as heat, cold, pressure, pain, sound, sight, taste, touch, balance, movements, plus all of our cerebral conjugations of abstract thinking and emotional feelings.

Our response to the sum total of these 100 million plus nerve signals every second of our lives contributes to the quality of our internal homeostasis and to our efforts for appropriate environmental adaptability.

Nerve signal interference (NSI) is a serious and profound hazard to our health. It degrades our quality of homeostasis and diminishes our capacities for appropriate adaptability.

From the various techniques to relieve nerve interference in the I.V.F. to the present M.P.I. concepts of the subluxation complex and all of the scores of other techniques in between it is possible to identify one common denominator of clinical value. That value is: generating nerve signal priorities. This value is a legitimate child of manipulation. This one clinical value has allowed chiropractic to escape from behind the eight ball for 95% of its 90 year life. A monument should be erected in its behalf.

Nerve signal interference (NSI), whether inhibitory or noxiously propagated from mechanical insults (subluxations, fixations, etc.), chemical or psychological causes, creates responses that are out of step with environmental need and are a hazard to health. Physical manipulation generates NS priorities of varying degrees and clinical signs are altered, hopefully for the better, but unfortunately this is not always the case. The change in clinical manifestations will last only as long as the NS priorities have effect.

The bone out of place concept of NSI is not a myth. Occipital condyles in subluxation with the atlas are clearly evidenced in x-ray films. Unilateral and bilateral innominates in P.I. subluxation with the sacrum are proven clinical entities. These examples are of common occurrence because these articulations do not possess the bony locks common to the other apophyseal joints of the spinal column. These subluxations are the result of some traumatic incident and if allowed to persist cause segmental misalignments of a compensating nature and these in turn cause secondary NSI.

Physical manipulation applied to these areas does generate NS priorities. It does alter clinical symptoms as long as these priorities remain in effect but it does not correct the primary cause of their existence and therefore does not correct the primary cause of the NSI.

Manipulation of these primary and secondary NSI areas is desirable and necessary, whether by ten finger application or/and physical therapy adjuncts. The welcome benefit from this type of treatment takes care of many emergency requests but still leaves the primary cause to be reckoned with. Total care of such a case is better served by supplementing the manipulation with a corrective adjustment of the primary cause. The ultimate objective of chiropractic care is to remove the primary cause of the NSI in addition to any emergency care deemed advisable.

Manipulation as above implied is an art all health delivery systems have at their command but the adjustment of the primary causative subluxation is the very special skill of the chiropractor. We should never lose sight of these clinical differences of manipulation and adjustment. My ultimate objective in chiropractic care has been to correct the bone out of place and employ whatever manipulation I am qualified to do until a full rehabilitation of any loss of articular function has been restored.

The body's innate ability to repair ligaments, cartilage and bone will regenerate these structures if given the chance to do so. Adjunctive elements of case management, such as passive motion therapy, adequate nutrition and hygiene are also important.

Nerve signal priorities can be generated in many different ways. A frown or a hasty glance invite anger and hate; a friendly smile gives assurance of love or compassion: the application of physical touching can be painful or a caress. Any stimuli that exceed a receptor threshold generate a nerve signal. Whether or not it assumes a priority depends on its intensity.

Generating constructive NS priorities is an art and whether this art is poor, fair, good or excellent depends on the individual who is doing the manipulation. Synovial joint popping, cracking or crunching employs either high velocity-low amplitude or high amplitude-low velocity physical forces. These two force categories are the black and white spectrum of physical manipulation but there are many shades of gray in between. Used properly, manipulation that generates NS priorities has few negative side effects and usually contributes favorably to the clinical relief the patient is seeking for that emergency. In my opinion, this is legitimate chiropractic care, but it isn't total chiropractic care.

When the primary cause of NSI is a bone out of place, a correction of the deranged articular position is in order. This skill is not a manipulation but is an adjustment of the subluxation. Follow-up manipulation may be advisable until regeneration of articular structures has taken place.

I have 60 years of clinical practice behind me - this is far more than D.D. Palmer lived to enjoy. I am a close runner-up to any other living D.C. I'm aware of our chiropractic problems and controversies. I know the word, "manipulation," is a "dirty" word to the Straights. I know also that there is a trend of discrediting the "bone out of place" concept of subluxation and the emphasis on the subluxation complex, fixations, etc. Does it really make sense to be a divided profession?

I suggest we do the following experiment. Turn the spotlight of analysis on your own clinical procedures; then ask yourself this question: What have I really done to normalize nerve signal controls? Did I take care of the primary NSI or did I only give my attention to the secondary and compensating conditions?

I challenge any chiropractic clinician to match my record of clinical success these past 26 years that I have been making the above distinctions between adjusting and manipulating.

About the author: Earl F. Craton, D.C., Ph.C., is a graduate of Palmer College who has practiced in Oklahoma and Texas.