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Here is another "Puzzle & Paradox" for rumination: INTRODUCTORY NOTE For newcomers to this forum, these P&Ps are Propositions, not facts or dogmatic proclamations. They are intended to stimulate interaction among users working in different fields, to re-examine traditional concepts, foster distance education, question our beliefs and suggest new lines of research or approaches to training. We look forward to responses from anyone who has views or relevant information on the topics. PUZZLE & PARADOX 126: SUBLUXATION PARADOX We constantly hear from colleagues and some therapists that someone's spine or neck is "out of alignment" or that the bones in some or other part of the body are "subluxated" (or held in a prolonged state of chronic partial dislocation or "mal-location"). At the same time research informs us that the ligaments and connective tissues involved with those joints are extremely tough, only slightly extensible and resist deformation very powerfully. Even outside the body in being tested in vitro, ligaments and fasciae have to be subjected to considerable force to produce significant extension for even short periods, so how is it possible for apparently resting levels of muscle tension to produce sufficient force to maintain persistent "subluxation"? Of course, if the connective tissues concerned are actually damaged or herniated, then dislocation may be one of the well-known consequences, but if the alleged deformation is not of that magnitude, then how can a "partial" dislocation be maintained. Naturally, the use of therapy to "release" the hypothetical tension assumes that these viscoelastic tissues, despite prolonged imposition of tension, display perfect hysteresis and return to their pre-pathological state immediately after manipulation or whatever treatment is deemed to be appropriate. How can one reconcile these diametrically opposed views? Are there any radiological scans or other studies which have confirmed the existence of "subluxations" or low level connective tissue disturbances which allow "partial dislocations" or "misalignments" to occur chronically, even though powerful muscles contractions from adjacent muscles may override the alleged chronic tension produced by tissues which are hypothesized to maintain those alleged displacements? ----------- Dr Mel C Siff Denver, USA http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/