Bridging Eastern & Western Medicine
Learn More about MBR Therapy, Including Its Benefits & How It Works
What Causes the Chronic Pain
The 3 Troublemakers
The primary cause of chronic or refractory pain is an imbalance between the body and the 12 meridians. This imbalance can start in one location and spread throughout the body, like cogwheels affecting each other. Pain often arises from the paths where the imbalance has spread, rather than where it began. To cure the pain, it’s crucial to treat not only the area where the pain occurs but also the root cause of the imbalance.
At MBR Acupuncture & Herb, we believe that addressing the three critical areas where the imbalance between the human body and the 12 meridians begins is essential for treating chronic and intractable pain. These areas are known as the “3 Troublemakers.”
How they lead to chronic pain
3 Vital Points for the MBR Technique
Occipital-Upper cervical-TMJ complex
(OUT-complex)
Major contributor to conditions such as craniofacial pain, migraine, dizziness, and neck and shoulder pain
Pain-sensitive nerves are abundantly distributed between the occipital bone and the upper cervical vertebrae, The imbalance of the OUT-complex stimulates them and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and pain around the eyes.
The trigeminal nerve is very closely related to the TMJ. Therefore, an imbalance in the TMJ may cause facial pain, eye pain, headache, migraine, and other pains. The trigeminal nerve and the meninges (dura mater) are significantly involved in headaches and migraines. An imbalance in the OUT-complex makes the trigeminal nerve sensitive and changes the tension of the meninges which causes frequent headaches and migraines.
Because the OUT-complex and the shoulder girdle ultimately compensate for all imbalances in the human body, the chronic neck and shoulder pain may occur when thecompensation is excessive or inadequate.
The TMJ acts as a steering wheel to help control the occipital-upper cervical imbalance
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the OUT-Complex, which consists of the occipital bone, upper cervical vertebrae, and TMJ. Due to its unique bilateral joint structure and axis of motion located in the upper cervical vertebrae, any imbalance in the jaw can cause an imbalance in the upper cervical vertebrae, and vice versa.
Therefore, the TMJ is considered the “steering wheel” of the OUT-Complex, as it can be used to identify and correct minor imbalances between the occipital bone and upper cervical vertebrae. Since the TMJ and teeth have abundant proprioceptors, which are sensory receptors that provide information about body position and movement, treating the TMJ can effectively control the occipital bone and upper cervical vertebrae and restore balance to the body.
Maintaining alignment of the OUT-complex is crucial for achieving balance in the human body
The balance of the human body is maintained through the integration of the central nervous system, which involves the trunk and neck receiving input from the eyes, vestibular organs of the ears, and proprioception from the pelvis, foot, and ankle.
The crucial element in this balance control is the connection between the occipital bone and upper cervical vertebrae, as it is where the brainstem transitions to the spinal cord and is involved in craniofacial pain. The meninges, a pain-sensitive structure, and the nerve nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, responsible for most of the sensations of the craniofacial nerve, descend through this area, emphasizing its significance.
All 12 meridians of the human body pass through the OUT complex
In traditional oriental medicine, there is a belief that the complex connecting the occipital bone, upper cervical vertebrae, and TMJ is directly or indirectly connected to all 12 meridians of the human body. Acupuncture points that are believed to be located on this complex (such as GV15, GV17, SJ17, GB12, GB3, ST7, ST6, and SI16) are thought to have an impact on the 12 meridians.
Pelvis-Hip joint complex
The imbalance of the Pelvic-Hip joint can cause back pain, disc problems, stenosis, and pelvic pain
Pain-sensitive nerves are abundantly distributed between the occipital bone and the upper cervical vertebrae, The imbalance of the OUT-complex stimulates them and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and pain around the eyes.
The trigeminal nerve is very closely related to the TMJ. Therefore, an imbalance in the TMJ may cause facial pain, eye pain, headache, migraine, and other pains. The trigeminal nerve and the meninges (dura mater) are significantly involved in headaches and migraines. An imbalance in the OUT-complex makes the trigeminal nerve sensitive and changes the tension of the meninges which causes frequent headaches and migraines.
Because the OUT-complex and the shoulder girdle ultimately compensate for all imbalances in the human body, the chronic neck and shoulder pain may occur when thecompensation is excessive or inadequate.
Back pain is not the cause but rather the result of an imbalance in the pelvic-hip joint complex
In cases of low back pain, especially chronic or intractable pain, local treatments targeted solely at the back often fail to provide relief. This is because the pain stems from an imbalance in the pelvic-hip joint complex, rather than a localized issue in the back. Thus, addressing the root cause of back pain, disc problems, and stenosis requires treating the pelvic girdle
Hip is the key to maintaining pelvic balance
The balance of the human body is maintained through the integration of the central nervous system, which involves the trunk and neck receiving input from the eyes, vestibular organs of the ears, and proprioception from the pelvis, foot, and ankle.
The crucial element in this balance control is the connection between the occipital bone and upper cervical vertebrae, as it is where the brainstem transitions to the spinal cord and is involved in craniofacial pain. The meninges, a pain-sensitive structure, and the nerve nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, responsible for most of the sensations of the craniofacial nerve, descend through this area, emphasizing its significance.
Of the 12 meridians in the human body, six meridians pass through the Pelvic-Hip joint complex
According to traditional Oriental medicine theory, the Pelvic-Hip joint complex is connected to six of the 12 meridians in the human body, all of which originate from the lower extremities. Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for a range of conditions related to the Pelvic-Hip joint complex, including back pain, pelvic pain, painful bladder syndrome, uterine issues, and kidney, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic diseases. Acupuncture points such as GB29, GB30, Liv14, SP12, and SP13 are believed to pass through and regulate the Pelvic-Hip joint complex, making them essential targets for acupuncture treatment in this area.
Foot & Ankle
The leading cause of chronic pain in the foot, lower leg, knee, hip, back, and neck is an imbalance in the foot and ankle
Since the pelvic band supporting the spinal column is balanced on both feet, any imbalance between the feet can lead to an imbalance between the knee and the pelvis. This, in turn, can twist the spine on the pelvis, eventually causing rotation of the occipital-upper cervical vertebrae-TMJ joint complex (OUT-complex), potentially resulting in pain.