The Ten Steps To Wellness

The ten steps are:

1. Remove Nerve Interference and Correct Structural Problems
2. Rebalance Electromagnetics
3. Reset the Adrenal Glands and the General Adaptive Syndrome
4. Repair Nutrition for Organ or System Weakness
5. Remove Infective Organisms
6. Replace Enzymes and/or Hydrochloric Acid
7. Re-inoculate the Bowel Flora
8. Remove Heavy Metals
9. Eliminate Allergies and Sensitivities
10. Remove Abnormal Emotional Patterns

Step 1: Remove nerve interference and correct structural problems: This is one of the most important steps. It includes spinal and extremity adjustments, cranio-sacral therapy, myofascial release, and visceral manipulation. Spinal and extremity adjustments are used to realign the the spine and remove nerve interference. In our office, Dr. Brist uses manual and instrument adjusting depending on the patient's condition and preference. Dr. Brist performs cranio-sacral therapy as well, which involves normalizing the movement of the 24 bones and fluid (CSF) in the skull and spinal cord.

The brain and the spinal cord control every function of the body. The brain is the main computer of the body, and the nerves and spinal cord are the phone system or "Internet" of the body. If there is any interference to any of the "wires," then that part of the body will not receive or transmit the necessary information to maintain proper function. With this understanding, you can see why this is a significant cause of decreased function in the body.

The fascia is the thin cellophane-like layer that covers all the muscles and organs and is contiguous with the dura, which covers the brain and spinal cord. When the fascia becomes stuck or contracted, it is like trying to walk with part of your pants glued to your leg. This contraction reduces the flow blood, lymph fluid, and nerve impulses. To release the cranium and fascia and mobilize the organs, Dr. Brist and his assistants use the Percussor, which greatly speeds up the process and is very effective. They also use their hands to fine tune the movement.

Step 2: Rebalance electromagnetics: This is a very simple but important step. Muscle response testing is used to determine whether electromagnetic fields make the patient's body weak. Electromagnetic fields are emanated by almost all electronic devices such as computers, lights, appliances, cell phones, and televisions. Research has shown that electromagnetic fields are involved or implicated in many of the chronic health conditions seen in our modern world. To balance the body's own field and to protect it from electromagnetic fields in our environment, Dr. Brist recommends that patients wear an inexpensive multi-polar magnet (available in our office).

Step 3: Reset the adrenal glands and the General Adaptive Syndrome:The adrenal glands support and control many functions of the body. Many people have heard of adrenaline and cortisol, which are produced by the adrenal glands. Hans Selye, M.D., discovered that chronic stress (physical, chemical, or emotional) will cause the adrenal glands to hypertrophy (enlarge), the thymus gland and lymph nodes to shrink, and the gastrointestinal tract to become irritated. This is known as the General Adaptative Syndrome. Because the adrenal glands "drive" many of the body's functions, restoration is essential. Testing of adrenal glands is performed via muscle response testing and/or lab testing. Dr. Brist uses a wide variety of supplements-- containing vitamins, minerals, glandulars, and herbs--to help support the adrenals. Based on muscle response testing, Dr. Brist will recommend the specific supplement or combination of supplements that he believes your body requires to improve your stress response.

Step 4: Repair nutrition for organ or system weakness: The heart, liver, lungs, small and large intestine, stomach, etc. can all suffer from different types of dysfunction or weakness. Each individual organ's dysfunction can cause a number of problems and symptoms. Testing using either muscle response testing or lab studies gives us an idea where the weaknesses are. Dr. Brist uses a wide variety of nutritional products to strengthen the organ weaknesses. These supplements contain specific minerals, herbs, glandular extracts, and natural substances in synergistic formulas that are specialized for each individual organ dysfunction.

Step 5: Remove Infective organisms: Many chronic health problems are associated with the body's inability to remove or reduce the overgrowth of infective organisms. Viruses, bacteria, yeast, and parasites can all linger in the body, wreaking havoc with different systems. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis, auto-immune diseases, and cancer are some of the conditions associated with infective organisms in the body. Testing with either lab studies or muscle response testing reveal which "bad guys" are in your system. Dr. Brist uses herbal remedies whose ability to eradicate infective organisms has been validated by both research and clinical experience.

Step 6: Replace enzymes and/or HCL: Enzymes are naturally occurring substances found in raw food and also produced by the body. Digestive enzymes are essential for proper digestion. Enzymes also catalyze (enable or promote) all chemical reactions in the body. With our modern diet, most people are deficient in enzymes. This is one of the main reasons why many people have digestive disorders today. Because all the body's chemical reactions have been slowed down, it causes people to feel feel sluggish. We recommend natural plant enzymes to our patients.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) produced by the stomach lining is also necessary for proper digestion. Contrary to what pharmaceutical commercials would lead you to believe, most people have too little, rather than too much, hydrochloric acid. Medications that block production of hydrochloric acid can cause serious side effects. They also make you more vulnerable to infections (including h. pylori infection that causes stomach ulcers) because HCl was designed as the body's first defense against microorganisms. Lab or muscle response muscle testing can determine whether you are producing enough HCl.

Step 7: Re-inoculate the bowel flora: The large and small intestine normally harbor millions of good bacteria. The "good guys" help fight off invading organisms. They also aid the digestive process and protect the lining of the intestines. In addition they produce some essential substances such as certain vitamins. Many digestive and other conditions are caused by an increased ration of bad bacteria to good bacteria. We often give probiotics to patients who wish to have all ten steps in place. The recommended probiotics contain 400 different strains of good bacteria.

Step 8: Remove abnormal emotional patterns: Most people know that the mind/body connection is very strong and powerful. Every health problem has an emotional or stress component. Often it isn't obvious that there is an emotional aspect to a particular health problem. But nevertheless it is there. The brain and mind is is integrated with all chemical and physical processes in the body. Emotional stress is stored in the nervous system as well as in the muscles and fascia. To achieve good health, unlocking the stored emotional stress is essential. We use several techniques to break the mind/body connection to health problems. These techniques use muscle testing to determine if a particular traumatic event, emotion, or compulsive thought process is making your body weak or disrupting your energy. Applied Neuro-Biology developed by Dietrich Klinhart M.D. uses eye movements to unlock the neurological connections. Thought Field Therapy developed by Roger Callahan PhD. involves stimulating acupuncture points and eye movements to normalize energetic patterns associated with undesired emotions especially; phobias, post traumatic stress, and urges. Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) developed by Scott Walker D.C. is another acupuncture or energetic based technique. NET is especially useful for discovering the original emotional stress that caused or was associated with a particular problem in the body. Again stimulation of acupuncture points is used to correct the abnormal energetic pattern. Emotions and stress patterns also have colors and emotions associated with them. Sound and color therapy is used during the treatment process.

Step 9: Reprogram the body for allergies and sensitivities: Many chronic health problems involve allergies or sensitivities. Usually most people are unaware that they are allergic or sensitive to something. The reactions people have to different substances come in many forms. They run from the most common runny nose and itchy eyes to headaches, fatigue and "brain fog" to Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Dermatitis. People can also be sensitive to their own tissues. What this means is that the body is not processing or recognizing part of their body properly and then there is breakdown of the system. Dr. Nambudripad a chiropractor and acupuncturist discovered a way to desensitize and eliminate allergies and sensitivities. She herself was allergic to many substances. One day she absentmindedly ate some carrots to which she was very allergic and became ill. Being an acupuncturist she self treated herself with acupuncture needles and went to bed. When she awoke, she felt much better. She realized that she still had the needles in her and was still hold the carrot. This began her research into allergy elimination. The technique; Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (N.A.E.T.) now involves determining a person's allergies and sensitivities using muscle response testing. Then while the person holds the substance in their hand the doctor stimulates acupuncture points with either electrical stimulation, cold laser or pressure. This technique has been used successfully with thousands of people. We use a variation of this technique developed by Dr. John Brimhall called Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination and reprogramming technique (A.S.E.R.T.). This technique adds the component of reprogramming or desensitizing to the body's of own tissues. There are 23 groups of substances or allergens that need to cleared at a minimum.

Step 10: Remove heavy metals and other toxins from the body: Heavy metal toxicity (lead, mercury, barium, arsenic, etc.) is becoming more and more recognized by the general public with good reason. Unfortunately our modern industrialized society has polluted almost everywhere in our environment. We even have mercury in our mouths. Heavy metals have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Autism, Anemia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Hypoglycemia, ADHD, ADD, allergies, hormonal imbalances, and many more. As you can see heavy metal accumulation affects many systems of the body. Removal is essential. Muscle response testing and/or lab testing is used to discover any accumulation. In our office, we use homeopathic tinctures to stimulate a release of the metal and essential fatty acids (ex. Flax seed oil) to carry it out.