In Canada By Ulrike Banis, M.D., N.D.
Autonomic malfunction causes patients to feel sick.
During their clinical studies, therapists learn that the human nervous system is divided in two parts. On the one hand, it is learned that the nervous system controls the movements of the skeleton muscles which is ruled by our willpower. On the other hand, it is taught that the autonomic nervous system works independently from our will. It regulates all involuntary actions in the body – those functions that operate without our conscious mind – like breathing, heartbeat, digestion, blood pressure, sleep and many others.
We can observe and even measure that certain patients suffer from high blood pressure, sweaty hands, constipation, diarrhea, sleeping disorders, fatigue, cramps of inner organs, disorders of the menstrual cycle or many other symptoms. Frequently due to the lack of test results by conventional medicine, such as blood tests, x-rays or ultrasound testing to support their causes, these ‘functional disorders’ or ‘autonomic nervous malfunctions’ remain inadequately treated.
Take the example of high blood pressure – a condition that affects millions of people. Conventional medicine offers remedies that block the symptoms – beta blockers, antidepressants, etc., rarely asking what the reason is behind these symptoms. Many practitioners upon observing arteriosclerosis in the arteries, draw the conclusion that it is enough to simply reduce the input of saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet to overcome the problem. Yet, as many contradictory studies worldwide have shown, there are additional factors that can influence blood pressure that is not adequately taken into account during treatment.
This is where naturopaths (and other holistic practitioners) have an advantage – as they view the patient as a whole. They know the human system has the ability to regulate itself and illness means something has gone wrong in the subtle tuning. Consequently, when a symptom (such as high blood pressure) is observed, it is recognized as a sign of a deeper imbalance in the organism that needs to be addressed.
Natural healers philosophically understand the body has a ‘blueprint of health’ and wants to return to a healthy equilibrium as soon as blocks are out of its way. This is true as long as the body has the ability to regulate itself, as long as the inner organs are still able to function properly and are not irreparably damaged.
Since ancient times, medical practitioners have realized the body’s autonomic regulation is a key factor in dealing successfully with unclear symptoms. For instance, for over 5,000 years the practice of Chinese medicine has been based on balancing Yin and Yang. Whereas in European medicine, something similar known as elements and tempers is taught. A central theme of holistic treatment is to bring the autonomic nervous system into balance by putting the pendulum back in motion between Yin (-) and Yang (+) as shown in the diagram.
When the autonomic function is out of harmony, it exhibits the characteristic signs of autonomic hypo-function (vagotony) or autonomic hyper function (sympathicotony), much like a defective thermostat that is stuck in too much heat (sympathicotony) or too little heat (vagotony). The range of harmony (normal functioning range) results in good health and feelings of well-being.
Vagotony (hypo-function of the parasympathetic nervous system) brings the body into relaxation and sleep, but if it continues for too long, it leads to body cramps and fatigue. What I tell my patients who are in this state is “All organs only work as little as possible, on a very low level and your body is so tired that everything cramps and loses its blossoms.” These patients need power support and activation. In former times, such patients would be encouraged to address their condition through good nutrition, iodine and exercise, and this health regime is still good advice today. The famous Dr. Aschner was successful in treating vagotony by getting his patient to take spicy food containing lots of iron, coffee and remedies for the stomach and intestines. In my practice I have had good results by prescribing the homeopathic remedy Paravita (Rubimed) to rebalance the autonomic system.
Signs of Vagotony are:
- Miosis
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Low blood pressure
- Bradycardia.
- A face that looks tired and under tension
- Spasms of all kinds, like in the bronchia, gallbladder, intestines and other muscular organs
Sympathicotony (hyper-function of the sympathetic nervous system) for the body means being on the run – like a hunted animal that can’t come to rest. This state will lead to exhaustion sooner or later. I tell my patients who are in this condition that their constant distress has led them to fatigue. Such individuals benefit from tranquility and things like purgation, sweating or colonics. I like to prescribe the homeopathic remedy Simvita (Rubimed) in order to harmonize the autonomic functions.
Signs of Sympathicotony are:
- Nervousness, tenseness
- High blood pressure
- A tendency to diarrhea
- Tachycardia
- Wide pupils (Mydriasis)
- Damp skin
- Lack of sleep, inability to relax
Treating the autonomic malfunctions leads to more sleep, detoxification and better well-being. It also leads to what Pischinger described as “better functions of the milieu intérieur”.
The following is an example of good effects that a practitioner, can achieve by rebalancing patients’ autonomic functions:
Mrs. S., a 52-year-old woman, had been suffering from chronic pain for years. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, suffered from major depression, sleeping disorders and chronic fatigue. This was also the reason why she retired from work. She said that she had been feeling sick for eight years and was really tired of always being sick. She had been through many clinical examinations without ever getting clear results. Besides taking some vitamins and minerals, she was only taking a homeopathic remedy for low blood pressure.
When checking her energy with the REBA, she had very low readings for vitality, emotional power and mental health. These readings fit perfectly with signs of chronic fatigue, depression and the reduction of mental abilities that goes along with chronic pain. Her autonomic nervous system was fixed in vagotony, thus leading to fatigue and cramps. I gave her homeopathic remedies for her emotional issue and Paravita in a daily dosage of 2 x 5 drops (Paravita is only to be taken in the morning and at noon, never in the evening).
Three months later she was much better. Her complexion was no longer as pale and she was feeling less fatigued and the intensity of her pain was easier to cope with. Upon retesting, her readings had gone up from 40/10/40 to 70/30/70, and the Paravita vial didn’t test any more – indicating the previous vagotony was gone. But this time something new tested – and I find this in many cases of chronic pain – it was Neurovita, which is a sign of nervous tenseness when the nerves lie blank. By prescribing Neurovita at a daily dosage of 3 x 5 drops, her energies went to 80/80/100 after four months and Mrs. S. completely lost all her previous pains.
Summary
The true cause behind many symptoms and complaints in our patients are autonomic dysfunctions and blocks. Other causes like geopathic stress or emotional conflicts can also play a role, but in many cases it is autonomic malfunction that causes patients to feel sick. Holistic healing should therefore aim at rebalancing the autonomic function in order to allow the body to return to its automatic regulation.
I see my best results in addressing autonomic dysfunctions when using the homeopathic remedies Simvita and Paravita. Since including them in my testing routine, I observe better results, my patients are satisfied and I have much more fun in daily work. I advise other practitioners to try these remedies in their practice in order to confirm they get similar results.