Occasionally we use the terms “mental impulse” and “nerve impulse” interchangeably. While it probably does no harm when we are explaining chiropractic to patients, nevertheless we should strive for proper use of our technical vocabulary. There are some basic philosophical differences. A mental impulse is a metaphysical thing. It is an innate force traveling over the specialized tissue of the nervous system (at least in the human organism). It is the expressed wish of the innate intelligence of the body. It is always perfect, in every respect.
The nerve impulse, on the other hand, is a physical thing. It brings about action at its point of destination but that action is not necessarily the desire of the innate intelligence. Supplying an electrical charge to a frog’s leg can cause the muscles to contract, resulting in movement. You have created a nerve impulse. It has resulted in action but not in adaptative activity (especially if the frog is dead).
There is an interesting concept that we deduce from this. The mental impulse is a nerve impulse that the innate intelligence is using for constructive purposes. We have said that mental impulses are innate forces. Therefore, the nerve impulses, if not an innate force, can only be one other thing a universal force. The ramifications of that deduction are great. As a universal force it has the potential destructive capabilities of any universal force. The subluxation causes an innate force (mental impulse) to become a universal force (nerve impulse). So instead of the rock on the garden hose concept of interference that was a simplistic explanation of subluxation we have something more. Using the garden hose analogy: instead of a soft, fine spray of water coming out of the hose which will water the newly seeded lawn, we have the forceful quality of a violent stream which can wash away the seed. The water is the same. The intelligent manner in which the water is directed will make the difference. I don’t allow my five-year-old to water my newly seeded ground because she does not have the ability to direct the water in a soft, fine spray. In the body, the subluxation creates a universal force (nerve impulse) out of an innate force (mental impulse) which was previously a universal force that the innate intelligence of the body had changed into an innate force. Confusing? Here it is in a diagram form:
The tissue cell is receiving a universal force in the form of a nerve impulse. The cell’s (tissue or organs) innate intelligence, functioning apart from the innate intelligence of the body(due to the subluxation) must adapt that universal force and change it into an innate force within the cell (tissue or organ). But that innate force is only “worthwhile” as far as the individual cell is concerned because the cell is functioning on its own. This is why a cell can continue to exist and live in the body without the control of the innate intelligence of the body. Its cellular intelligence keeps it alive, within limitations of the cell’s matter. If limitations are too great, it will die. Being alive it still performs functions. Those functions, like the jumping of the frog’s leg, are not under the direction of the innate intelligence of the body. The cell’s function is detrimental to the over-all well being of the body. The innate intelligence may have to work to compensate for this hyper- or hypo-function. If the cells are too great a detriment to the organism, then the body will endeavor to destroy them. This, of course, is a last resort measure of the innate intelligence. It is always hopeful the nerve interference can be removed and the cell can be “brought back to the fold.” If enough cells are functioning out of control and the body’s innate intelligence is limited in its ability to compensate then a diagnosable disease is present.
The cells that are living for themselves, relying on the cellular intelligence to adapt universal forces, die very easily. Cells that are under the control of the body’s wisdom have the benefit of the entire body. The impulses are mental (intelligently directed) making them of the proper quantity and quality. The “outcast” cells have to fend for themselves.
This philosophical concept offers an explanation for the fact that cells do not always die when deprived of mental impulses due to a vertebral subluxation. It offers an explanation of why hyperfunction occurs. It gives an explanation for the “all or none” principle of nerve transmission and explains the function of a atrophic impulse. Most importantly, it reminds us of the importance of correcting vertebral subluxation.v3n4
Fantastic explanation of the mental impulse, and the subluxation. I respectfully disagree with just one thing though.
I don’t think the mental impulse is a metaphysical thing. I think it is physical. The mental impulses are transmitted by vibrational waves and electrochemical waves. This can be proved in physical science. Hence not metaphysical. The subluxation impingement simply modified the normal vibratory electrochemical wave. This can be proved in physical science. The modification increases tension which increases heat which results in dysfunction. This can be proved in physicalscience. Hence the modification into a universal force instead of an innate force.. I think where the metaphysics comes in is when we righty believe that we are reuniting man the physical with the spiritual. Love to hear your comment. With love and respect,