Zone therapy; or, Relieving pain at home

by Wm. H. Fitzgerald; Edwin F. Bowers

Tight belts, corsets, or collars will develop similar, or even worse, effects, inasmuch as their influence embraces not only the undue irritation of the nerve zones, but also the constricting influences upon glands, blood vessels and internal organs.

All zones must be free from irritation and obstructions to get the best results. For instance, if there be pain in the head, chest, abdomen, or extremities in one or more zones, it may be relieved or quite overcome by pressure on resistant surfaces anywhere in the zones affected. If the pain be relieved for a few moments only, and repeated pressures do not overcome it, it is safe to assume that the pain is due to some abnormal pressure or irritation, as gas, pus, impactions, necrosis, etc., somewhere in a zone or group of zones, which demands medical or surgical interference.

We are repeatedly called upon for the theory of zone therapy. Many theories are interesting but not conclusive, and rather than be obliged to retract theories, we are not going to advance them, except very superficially, at the expense of clinical facts. It is certain that control-centers in the medulla are stimulated, as has been suggested, but I believe that it is shock more often than stimulation. Some theorists have pointed out, perhaps rightly, that “these functions may be carried out by the pituitary body (a ductless gland at the base of the brain) through the multiple nerve paths from it.”

We know that we induce a state of inhibition—a state which prevents the transmission of the nerve impulse from the brain—throughout the zone where pressure is brought to bear. We know that when this inhibition of irritation is continuous, many pathological processes disappear. We are certain that lymphatic relaxation follows pressure, and the lymph stimulated to flow normally in its channels.

The theory advanced by Dr. Bowers: “that inasmuch as there are ultra-microscopic bacteria—bacteria not seen through even the highest-powered lenses,—it is more than likely that in the light of this work there are ultra-microscopic connections analogous to those we call nerves,” may contain some elements of plausibility.

Let the physician or the dentist, who ascribes these phenomena to suggestion, attempt to relieve an aching, left incisor, for instance, by pressing the little finger of the right hand of his patient, or exercise his persuasive powers on a throbbing molar by pressing the thumb of either hand. He will find himself up against a stone wall, so far as results are concerned, for only by exerting proper pressure, on the proper zone or zones, for an adequate length of time, will the pain disappear. Anticipating such contentions, and to avoid the merest hint at suggestion, we have purposely refrained from giving many patients any idea that we were even contemplating the relief of pain, and the first and only suggestions have been from the patient. He will tell that he experienced pain in his jaw, eye, small of back, knee, foot, or shoulder before pressure was made on his fingers, teeth, or elsewhere, and will ask, “where has the pain gone? Have you done anything to relieve it?”

Pathological conditions from irritation in the nose, epipharynx, pharynx, mouth, vagina, rectum, etc., may be responsible not only for annoying local manifestations, but for obscure pathological changes in the most remote sections of the body; and their course can usually be traced through an individual zone or group of zones. There is not an existing pathological condition that cannot at least be relieved, and a large proportion can be cured by zone therapy.

This shows how necessary it is that the physician and surgeon should be capable of diagnosing and treating disease in all parts of the body, especially if his practice be limited to the country, where he may be unable to consult with specialists. If the pathological condition he has treated does not “clear up,” the case should be referred to the specialist or dentists, for, to secure results, all parts of the zones or group of zones must be free from obstruction and irritation.

Zone therapy demonstrates the co-relation of all parts of the body, also the manner in which pressure or contact upon certain zones is effective in the relief of pain or disease.

Diagnosis of the cause of pain may be worked out quite perfectly over or through any zone or part of zone. If a patient complains of pain, and indicates that the right eye is involved, and you overcome the pain by pressure on the front of the right index finger, it is absolutely certain that his disturbance is excited by congestion or irritation in the anterior section of the zone; but if it be necessary to look to the palmar surface of the index finger for relief the cause is certain to exist in the posterior section of the zone or zones.