The Whole-Life Connection
|
Telephone and Facsimile: |
Email: |
Address: |
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VITAL ENERGY
AND THE HUMAN BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM
By Gregory J. de Montfort 2001
Physicians originally regarded the healing principles as an art and creative work of service to humanity.
The very idea of creative consciousness in healing was for a time, lost in the science of our times - and of course minds trained to material concepts only can not be expected to function well at altitudes of penetration, comparison, and compassion. The central theme of 'life' was lost in our search for countless external details in matter only. The general practice of today is grossly physical rather than 'atomic' in its principle and application. This means that modern physicians work mainly with symptomatics - treating usually just the symptoms and NOT the underlying cause. Scientific focus on the implications of chemistry appear to have blinded us to another vital component of our being. The idea of energy fields in action through physiological functions, according to the finer lines of force and mind energy patterns, is not yet generally accepted.
For true healing to take place, it must be applied from a wholistic and spiritual approach in tandem with the patient's own efforts and in full knowledge of the scientific discoveries of our times. "ALL THAT IS CURRENTLY KNOWN IS NOT ALL THAT WILL EVER BE KNOWN" - Current paradigms will be slow to change, but shift does happen!! Witness the Ptolemaic Earth at the center of our universe and how it finally gave way to Copernican theory. Witness also David Bohm's current theory of "Implicate Order" in light of the non-linear physics of "Chaos Theory", or Rupert Sheldrake's theory of "Morphic Resonance". In protecting the prevailing paradigms, science and medicine, like all institutions move ever so slowly, so as purportedly 'not to make mistakes'.
As a consequence, genuinely new and important ideas can tend to be subjected to intense and unprecedented scrutiny, or alternatively they are reviled, and rejected out of hand.
In nature, each individual pattern is sustained by the whole through its latent powers of attraction within its own electro-magnetic energy field, which is reliant upon its seed pattern keynote. This keynote is the central core of its creative energy field as an individual, separate being, endowed with consciousness and awareness and growth potential.
The philosophy and study of the body as a manifestation of consciousness now provides a physical foundation for psychology and psychiatry through the concepts of cellular memory.
The core of man lies in the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the cerebrospinal tract. In fact, Randolph Stone, DO DC, once said that "the human soul swims in a sea of cerebrospinal fluid". This is interesting, as there is also an ancient Chinese concept of 'Sui-Hai-ku' - which means "Brain Sea". The allegory is apt as the sea ebbs and flows, is subject to electrical storms, is salty and full of myths, phantasms and beasts. The brain as it lies suspended in CSF is like a sea creature, passively waiting in the depths, pumping and billowing, processing and waiting. It knows.[3.]
The Eastern idea of the chakras as centres of energy in the human body has long been substantiated through simple anatomy and the correlation to major nerve plexuses within the body and emanating from the spinal column or cord.
This core essence and the currents of the energy fields within us and around us, provide for us that within which we move and have our being as a living human entity in harmony and health or disharmony and dis-ease.
Ancient writings, particularly the Vedas (6,000 BC), tell us that the core of man follows a twin serpentine pathway describing the flow of kundalini or vital energy around the spinal column. (viz. The Caduceus or Staff of Hermes). Modern anatomical and physiological investigation now confirms this ancient representation in the spiral flow of cerebrospinal fluid within the membrane known as the dura mater, and the intricacy of the serpentine crossover of spinothalmic tracts or afferent and efferent pathways of the spinal cord itself.
Candace Pert, a neuroscientist, biochemist and researcher into the body/mind connection, tells us in her book 'Molecules of Emotion', that molecules called neuropeptides are the chemical carriers of our essence, and that the memories and patterns of man are locked into the cellular and perhaps even molecular makeup of his physical being.[5.]
Bodyworkers have long known that relaxing certain tight muscles, or by activating certain trigger or reflex points can actually trigger remembrance of traumatic incidents in our lives that we had thought that we had put behind us and all but forgotten. Coupled with guided imagery, this phenomenon has developed into a therapeutic technique that has become known as Somatoemotional Release[10.].
Modern anatomy shows us that cerebrospinal fluid has many functions and is significantly more complex than generally thought of. The whole of the bodily processes are dependent upon this innocuous fluid. Anatomical texts tell us that CSF is a clear and colourless, slightly viscous fluid[8.] --- but the problem here is that the observation is of dissected corpses, and not of the living man. In a living person, the CSF is actually quite viscous and in fact, yellowish in colour. Ask any emergency worker who has attended cases of traumatic head injury and witnessed the flow of living CSF.
Composition of the CSF
CSF differs from plasma and blood. It is primarily different in its electrolyte composition and the fact that it is relatively protein free. The blood/brain barrier is designed to feed the CNS only the end product elements refined from the metabolism of food. Formed in the mid-brain in a structure known as the choroid plexus, CSF is classified as a secretion rather than a simple filtrate. CSF volume in the body is some 150 ml, which is reabsorbed as rapidly as it is formed, approximately 20m/hr or about 480 ml per day[8.]. It has a specific gravity of 1.007, with a pH of 7.35.[3.]
Its is primarily composed of the following elements:-
Cerebrospinal fluid contributes to homeostasis in three main ways.
Lesions and blocks, congenital or traumatic, can obstruct blood flow to the brain, as well as impede upon the cerebrospinal fluid flow, causing pain and loss of function. Evaluation and gentle manipulative methods such as
Craniosacral Therapy as described by John Upledger and Randolph Stone's Polarity Therapy can greatly assist in unblocking and alleviating the problems caused as they address the whole body not just the cerebrospinal/craniosacral core. Neurodevelopmental Therapy and The Emotional Freedom Technique are also effective in some circumstances.THE HUMAN BRAIN
The human brain sits at the top of our living caduceus, controlling bodily functions in near perfect homeostasis. As the body's command centre, it is jealously guarded, 'floating' in a nourishing and protective sea of CSF, bounded by the meninges - the dura mater (which means literally - 'Strong Mother'), the sub-arachnoid space and the pia mater, and of course the hard casing of the human skull. Nevertheless, even a slight blow to the head from any angle can potentially cause substantial damage to the delicate nerve fibres and neural networks that form our functional and thinking patterns.
Obtaining a general understanding of the brain and its functions is important to understanding the rehabilitation process in any presenting difficulty. It is very important, however, to understand that rehabilitation concerns the whole person not just the 'affected part'. The identification of individual problems simply gives the rehabilitation team areas in which to focus treatment plans designed to work toward the rehabilitation of the whole person. Each problem area affects other areas. Resolving one problem often has a major impact on other problems. For example, reestablishing postural balance and eliminating dizziness greatly enhances concentration and attention, which allows for improved cognition and problem solving.
The Basic Divisions of the Human Brain.
Diagrammatic Sagittal Detail.
In traumatic brain injury the brain may be injured in a specific location or the injury may be diffused to many different locations. Difficulties resulting from traumatic brain injury include:
FRONTAL LOBES (or Prefrontal cortex): Located at forehead above eyes.
Functions:
Decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex is a finding often cited in people who have cognitive difficulty, such as in schizophrenia or major depression. Abnormal frontal activity is a major factor in ADD & ADHD. The prefrontal cortex is involved in mediating concentration, impulse control and critical thinking.
At the top of the brain, in the middle of the frontal lobes is an area of the brain termed the "cingulate gyrus". It is the part of the brain which allows you to shift your attention from thing to thing, to move from idea to idea, to see the options in life. Feelings of safety and security have also been attributed to this part of the brain. The term that possibly best relates to this part of the brain is 'cognitive flexibility'.
Functions of the Cingulate System
:Increased activity in the top, middle portions of the frontal lobes is frequently cited as a finding in obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition where people become "stuck" on certain thoughts or behaviors. Aggressive people often become "stuck" on real or imagined injustices and think about them over and over. Oppositional, and addictive behaviours are also evident. Chronic pain, eating disorders and road rage appear to accompany cingulate dysfunction.
TEMPORAL LOBES: Located at sides of head above ears, the temporal lobes form the wings of the soul of our living caduceus.
Functions:
The dominant side is usually the left hand side and governs-
The nondominant side or right side governs-
Observed Problems:
BRAIN STEM: Located deep in the brain, leads to spinal cord. Often referred to as The Reptilian Brain. The majority of the cranial nerves exit from the brain stem.
Functions:
Observed Problems:
CEREBELLUM: Located at the base of the skull, and attached to the rear of the brain stem. It is sometimes referred to as The Little Brain.
Functions:
Observed Problems:
LIMBIC SYSTEM: Is a group of cellular structures located between the brainstem and the cortex. It is often referred to as the mammalian brain.
Functions:
The limbic system has two key components - the hypothalamus (below the thalamus) and the pituitary gland.
The hypothalamus regulates eating, drinking, sleeping, waking, body temperature, balance and many other functions. Through a combination of electrical and chemical messages, it directs the pituitary gland - the master gland of the body.
Problems with the limbic system include:
The human brain has evolved over time, and from the archeological records, it has demonstrated spectacular growth in the past few million years.
This growth, presumably in consciousness as well as size and capacity for creativity, allowed us to change the environment in which we live and our ability to make those changes is increasing. The problem lies in the fact that our ability to create always leaps ahead of our ability to adapt. Thus we are locked in a cycle of adapting to unprecedented situations.
If there are too many changes in our lives, our ability to adapt may be taxed to the limit, and we may become ill. In our modern society, the number of 'changes' that we experience is far greater than we were designed for, our current environment is, for many people beyond their biological limits.
But just how does stress cause dis-ease? The emergency reaction, which is a primitive survival mechanism, is under the direct control of the brain. It stimulates the heart to beat faster and directs peripheral blood vessels to clamp down, thus increasing blood pressure. The principle neurotransmitters (chemical carriers of messages between nerve connections) that accomplish this are epinepherine and norepinepherine. In addition, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the secretion of a great deal of these neurotransmitters which become doubly assured of reaching the target organs. This brings us to......
The Human Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) is representative of the staff of our living caduceus. The sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) systems, like the cerebrospinal pathway, are representative of the twin serpentine pathway of kundalini energy, activating the chakric centres or nerve plexuses as it rises up the spinal cord to the brain centres.
Human nervous system physiology is generally divided into the central nervous system (CNS), comprising the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which comprises nervous tissue outside the CNS, including the cranial and spinal nerves.[1] The peripheral nervous system is further divided into the somatic system, concerned with muscular activities, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls visceral structures (glands and organs of the body). Finally, the ANS is sub-divided into the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), the innervation mechanisms dominate when the individual is at rest, and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which is dominate in situations requiring mobilisation of energy.
The following schematic drawing explains these divisions somewhat, but is imperfect due to the fact that there are some parts of the ANS which are under the control of the CNS. For example, the hypothalamus and medulla are important in control of ANS functions, so the autonomic nervous system in fact has its nuclei within the central nervous system.
The ANS in Western medicine is believed to be exclusively motor in its function. That is, it sends out impulses to various organs and systems in the body so that the body functions automatically without the conscious control of the owner of the body.[10.]
In the East and the Orient, practices such as yoga, tai-chi, qi-gong,
breathwork and meditation (all techniques of self-directing vital energy) have been used to beneficially influence the autonomic nervous system for centuries. It was not until the advent of biofeedback (Especially the pioneering work of Drs. Elmer and Alyce Green), that Western science demonstrated that this could be so.More importantly, biofeedback training in combination with diet and specific exercises, has been clinically demonstrated to bring the ANS under the conscious control of its owner.
As mentioned, the ANS is divided into two systems - the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic nervous system ganglia are located most often near the spine, its roots lying in the thoracic and lumbar regions. Hence it is sometimes referred to as the thoracolumbar division. The parasympathetic ganglia are usually located near the organs that they innervate, send impulses to, or otherwise essentially control. Its nerve roots exit the CNS from the brain stem, and the lower or sacral end of the spinal cord. The PNS is sometimes referred to as the craniosacral division.
The sympathetic part of the nervous system is the one which takes care of emergency responses. Flight or Fight. The SNS is called to arms on a daily basis. Sometimes, this is done without the SNS being allowed to express the energy that it has procured for the perceived excessive demand. This situation when repeated over and over, results in an elevated baseline of activity and the result of this sympathetic hyperactivity is chronic stress, which in turn leads to all kinds of stress related health problems. (Ulcers of the stomach and/or bowel, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, chest pains and stroke to name a few). The SNS then, expends our vital energy.
On the other side of the coin we have the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), who's job it is to balance and restore energy reserves to safe levels.
The 'spending habits' of your sympathetic nervous system vary with your personality. If you are chronically angry, fearful, guilty etc., the chances are that your sympathetic nervous system is in chronic hyperalert.
If you tend to be complacent, secure, happy, and accepting, your SNS baseline will be lower, and the easier it is for your PNS to rebalance your energy levels.
Clearly then, any technique which can lower stress levels is going to be beneficial to your health.
The autonomic nervous system as already mentioned, influences internal organs and organ systems. When stimulated, the sympathetic nerves
All processes that are not necessary in the immediate moment for the perceived activity are shut down - including healing which is in process!
Parasympathetic nervous system responses are almost the exact opposite of the SNS. When activated, the PNS nerves slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, open the blood vessels to the skin and internal organs. The PNS has little influence over skeletal muscle, however, it does influence smooth muscle, and thus provides positive stimulation of the gastrointestinal system, enhancing peristalsis, digestion and elimination.
Most glands in the body secrete their hormones when the PNS goes into action.
The adrenal glands however, which aid the SNS in it's 'flight or fight' response, are slowed by the PNS.
PNS activity favours anabolic activity - that is, it favours the absorption of nutrients and calories, and their conversion into stored energy and/or the formation of protein building blocks. SNS activity depletes these energy reserves and this in turn depletes our immune system..
Indirectly, the ANS divisions (sympathetic and parasympathetic) are very much involved in our responses to emotions such as fear, anger, rage, panic, pleasure, etc. In actuality, these emotions are triggered by higher brain centres which send messages to the ANS control centres, dictating in turn many of the bodily functions and responses. The responses then produce additional sensory input, which then contributes to a continuation of the emotional response. The emotional response then has potential to escalate unless the higher brain centres are able to intervene.
Thus it is easy to see the delicate balance and how easy it is for us to become locked into a thought pattern against our conscious volition. Equally, it is easy to see how the cycle may be broken through the use of vital energy techniques and other training such as biofeedback.
The human brain is marvellous in its resilience and capacity for adaptation. It is little wonder that computer companies around the world have expressed interested in its workings. The worlds most complex computer currently has the capacity of a rat's brain. Yet the human capacity is little short of miraculous.
References:-
|
1. |
Andreassi, J.L., Psychophysiology, Human Behaviour & Physiological Response, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, New Jersey |
|
2. |
Burger, B., Esoteric Anatomy, 1998, North Atlantic Book, Berkley, California |
|
3. |
Cohen, D., (DC), An Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy - Anatomy, Function, and Treatment, 1995, North Atlantic Books, Berkley, CA, USA. |
|
4. |
Ornstein, R. and Thompson, R.F., The Amazing Brain, 1984, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. |
|
5. |
Pert, Candace B.(Phd), Molecules of Emotion - 1997, Scribner - New York, USA |
|
6. |
Stone, R., (DO, DC), Polarity Therapy - Vol I, - 1986, CRCS Publications, Somertown, TN, USA |
|
7. |
Stone, R., (DO, DC), Polarity Therapy - Vol II, - 1987, CRCS Publications, Somertown, TN, USA |
|
8. |
Tortora, G.J.(MA.BS), and Grabowski, S.R.(Phd), Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 1993, Harper Collins Publishers, New York, USA. |
|
9. |
Upledger, J., (DO,DC, F.A.A.O.), Vredevoogd, J.D., (M.F.A.), Caraniosacral Therapy, 1983, Eastland Press, Seattle, Washington. |
|
10. |
Upledger, J., (DO,O.M.M.), A Brain is Born, 1996, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California |
For further information, assessments and appointments, please contact:-
Rosemary Boon or Gregory de Montfort at
The Whole-Life Connection
|
Telephone: +61 2 9727 5794 |
Email: |
Address: |
|
