As presented in earlier Future Doc articles there are five common stressors or burdens that can prevent or slow body healing. Certainly other stressors exist but occur less commonly and thus are not routinely checked in the Future Doc practice. I have previously introduced heavy metals, toxic chemicals, body scars, and major food sensitivities. The fifth of the common stressors are hidden Immune challenges.

Included in the hidden immune list are the usual infectious organisms; bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeast and fungi. The term “hidden” is used here for several reasons…..the infectious agent can cause distress without eliciting a typical immune response recognizable by symptoms like fever, chill or malaise. The infectious agent may be undetectable by routine medical testing. The infectious agent can be localized to a specific body area but not cause any specific area symptom. Furthermore , if a localized symptom is produced it may mimic or appear as though the primary cause is a muscular, joint or structural problem.

These infectious agents or “bugs” work covertly (undercover) and are usually opportunistic. That is, the affected body area has already been weakened by nutritional depletion and/or another of the above mentioned common stressors. Given the opportunity, the bugs set up camp, hangout and have periodic parties, especially when their favorite foods are consumed ( sugar, starches, dairy). With rare exception, chronic cases will have both nutritional deficiencies compounded by one or more of the common stressors.

As a case in point, a recent patient entered my office with chronic and severe lower back pain radiating into the leg and clinical signs of lumbar disc degeneration and herniation confirmed by x-ray and MRI. A situation that too frequently leads to lower back surgery, failure ,and then opioid addiction. Additionally, in the Future Doc practice two of the five stressors were found in the area….a heavy metal and an immune challenge. This patient was placed on specific nutritional support to handle the stressors and to provide joint/disc repair. He was also advised to consume an anti inflammatory diet (no sugar or starch). Further, this patient received specific chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal alignment and reduce neurological stress. After several weeks of gradually diminishing symptoms this patient is now virtually pain free.

This work in the Future Doc practice never ceases to amaze…. and remind me, ”Anything can cause anything”. In the next Future Doc article I’ll return to the root of my professional education and will discuss the role of chiropractic in regards to health.

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931)

– Dr. Timothy Pence. LBSPY #40. Aug 26-Sept 9th, 2013