Edgar Cayce and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder

By Genevieve M. Haller, D.C.


Part 1



Most neurological foot disorders are caused by the impairment of nerves--either a peripheral nerve or some portion of the central nervous system--proximal to the foot.

Peroneal muscular atrophy (more commonly known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)), is a progressive muscular atrophy resulting from cell degeneration of the posterior column in the spinal cord and the peripheral motor nerves. It is thought to be hereditary, and begins in the muscles supplied by the peroneal nerves and, in later stages, gradually involves the muscles of the hands and arms.

The nerve involved is the superficial peroneal nerve, L-5, S-1, a division of the common peroneal nerve, which is a further division of the sciatic nerve, L-4, L-5, S-2, S-3. It supplies the peroneus brevis and longus muscles, a lateral group of lower leg muscles.

The peroneus brevis extends and abducts the foot. It originates in the middle of the shaft of the fibula-intermuscular septum. Its insertion is at the base of the 5th metatarsal bone.

The peroneus longus extends and everts the foot. It originates in the head and shaft of the fibula-intermuscular septum. Its insertion is at the metatarsal base of the great toe.

Eversion of the foot in plantar flexion is done mainly by the peroneus longus and brevis. Injury to the superficial peroneal nerve paralyzes the evertors of the foot, causing inversion with an ultimate equino varus foot position. The anterior lateral aspect of the leg and dorsum of the foot lose sensation.

The peroneus longus and brevis--plus the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, and flexor hallucis longus--contribute only five percent of the total pull used to lift the heel off the ground. The main responsibility for this action belongs to the gastroc-soleus muscles. Their true test of strength is to have the patient rise on the tiptoes of each foot, or lean forward, brace himself against the wall, and lift heels off the floor. The plantar and toe flexors, and gastrocnemius and soleus are all innervated by the tibial nerve. When this is also damaged, the patient is unable to rise on his toes or to flex them. The usual treatment in this type of paralysis involves fitting the patient with special braces (eventually crutches), and prescribing a sedative, if necessary.

What do the Edgar Cayce readings say about this type of condition? Causes range from accidents with injury to the spine and nervous system to glandular impairment, bacillus infection and, frequently, to a lack of replenishing nerve forces. The general recommendations include some type of spinal manipulation (chiropractic or osteopathic); massage of body and limbs; spinal oil rubs; use of low electrical forces, such as the wet cell appliance or sinusoidal appliance; dietary recommendations; glandular support and balance; good attitudes; and prayer.

My patient's case history seemed to relate to reading 1122-1, found in the Circulating File, "Spine: Injuries: Paralysis," Vol. 1. It was given for a 20-year-old woman who, at age 14, fell while on roller skates, resulting in a gradual loss of the voluntary control of her left hand. She also began to drag her left leg. Here is an excerpt from that reading:
In the nerve system, or systems--rather should it be here:

Here we find rather the cause or the seat of the conditions, for in the sacral and coccyx we find pressures that prevent the body in its normalcy from giving the proper reaction in the directions as are given by impulses, even to the brain centers...those as from locomotion, from the lower portion of those of the sympathetics, with those of the plexus governing the left side, are such that these do not coordinate with those of the cerebrospinal in the gray reflex forces in the nerve system itself. A pressure exists in the coccyx and sacral.

Naturally there are reflexes existent in the lower lumbar and in dorsal and in those of the head and neck. These are reflexes, however, and are results--not causes--of the condition.

The injury as exists in the coccyx and sacral, is the cause...

Q-3. Was the injury the whole cause of this trouble?...

A-3. Injury the whole cause, with the developments of the body in its developing stage afterward, see? Then, of course, the involvement, as we have just given, of sympathetic [autonomic] forces, are to play an active part in the healing. [1122-1]
Another reading for a 75-year-old woman, given on April 5, 1935, states:
We would adhere more closely to the diet, and make the adjustments in the lumbar and sacral area, particularly along the edge of the lower end of the spine where the lower portion of the coccyx centers radiate to the sciatics...To be sure, these cross in their reaction to the system; but these centers should be held, the nerve ends, as it were, just for a few minutes--one to two minutes--as the place may be located by the operator making the pressure there, and on the 4th lumbar. And we will find it will make a change or relief in the limb itself, even that may be felt to the toes, you see; holding these at the times of the treatments, and keeping up the massage and all the applications, being very mindful about the diet, we should still have considerable improvement with this body...[765-2]
The doctor who treated the above case reported on her condition on Oct. 10, 1935:
Yes, there is no doubt about this distortion [correctness of Cayce's reading]. The suggestions for treatment were absolutely correct, as far as my knowledge allows. I have followed directions given in the reading for six months...This patient, paralyzed for sixteen months, was able to regain ability to move her legs and walk in the space of six adjustments, given specifically at the points recommended, and has now complete use of her limbs. This is all the more remarkable when the great age of the patient is considered.
CASE HISTORY


My patient was a white woman, born March 14, 1931, married and the mother of four children. At age 13, she jumped 20 feet out of a barn loft and landed flat on her feet, on hard ground. She was unable to walk for a few minutes. One year later, the motor response to the gastrocnemius muscles was so weak that she couldn't stand on her toes; thus she developed a flat-footed walk, which embarrassed her. However, she got along all right and could run. At age 33, when her youngest child was six years old, she lost the use of some muscles in her left leg and foot, developing the condition called drop foot (peroneal muscle weakness). She could no longer run and would trip and stumble. Twice she contracted a bladder infection.

The orthopedic doctor could find no reason for her not using these muscles and prescribed braces with a spring in the shoe to pick up the foot. This was worn for about one year. The next doctor said that the muscles would weaken with braces, so the braces were removed. By this time, the patient was getting irritable, was full of many fears, and had a strong craving for alcohol. She went to a local M.D. and told him she didn't know what was wrong, but that she did not want to become an alcoholic. He told her she was feeling sorry for herself (she admitted that this was true). He prescribed Valium and other tranquilizers and advised a daily two-mile walk. She followed all recommendations.

At age 39, her right foot developed a paralysis (drop foot), and the patient was unable to balance in a standing position and had to use a cane. Unable to sleep, she was given sleeping pills by the doctor. She continued seeing this doctor for about one year. At one point the lower back muscles became so tense that she had to stay in bed for one month and could not move without extreme pain. The patient then advised the doctor that she would not see him any more and would try to take care of herself.

Five years later she went to an osteopath once a month for five months to treat her low back pain, and she received B-12 shots twice weekly. At this time, she couldn't walk well enough to go shopping alone, and her legs were a purple-gray color. In June she came to this office, being referred to us through the A.R.E., where she was a volunteer worker a few hours a week.

EXAMINATION


The patient's muscle tests showed normal response, except for those muscles involving the lower legs and ankles; gastrocnemius and peroneal muscles showed loss of motor response, with hypalgia of skin surfaces (neuro-electrical testing). Her left calf measured 12 inches; right calf measured 11-7/16 inches. She had to use a cane as a balance support and had an intermittent limping type of gait. The urine showed no albumin, no glucose; pH 7.0 (slightly alkaline). Spinal chiropractic examination, nutritional examination and x-ray analysis followed.

FINAL REPORT TO PATIENT BASED ON EXAMINATION


The following recommendations from the Cayce readings were used:
1. Total healing concept: a willingness to work with her physical condition over a period of seven years, and to include not only the physical manifestations, but the mental, emotional and spiritual as well.

2. Spinal adjustments to release nerve pressure and lesions, found in L-5, S-1 of x-rays. (Coccyx adjustments were an important factor.)

3. Nutritional supplementation, with dietary recommendations from the readings in the File on "Paralysis"; blood tests showed slight anemia.

4. Corrective exercises to improve muscle tone and realign body mechanics; foot levelers added.

5. Cleansing processes (colonics) from time to time, since lymphatics were congested and blood stream was toxic due to weaknesses of liver, kidneys and lungs.

6. Spinal oil rubs and foot/leg massage (done by husband four times a week); full massage once a week at A.R.E. Therapy Department; castor oil packs on abdomen 4-5 times weekly.

7. Wet cell appliance and sinusoidal current.

8. Attitudes (negative attitudes curbed); prayers utilized; dreams recorded.

REITERATION OF ITEMS IN FINAL REPORT TO PATIENT

Total Healing


This concept flows throughout the readings: that we must look at all levels for attunement of each cell of our bodies. Also, we know that the body can change completely in a period of seven years. The patient's condition started at age 14, so we can assume it may take several years to regain health.

Spinal Adjustments and X-ray Analysis, July 2, 1975.


A-P pelvic x-rays revealed right curvature of lower spine with left lumbar rotation, with right leaning at D-12. Some calcification between L-3 and L-4. Gas pockets in colon. Lateral pelvic films showed disc space narrowed and foraminae decreased in size at L-4 and L-5. Ferguson's line falls to anterior edge of L-5, missing sacral base completely. Cervical films (lateral view) showed loss of anterior curve, the atlanto-occipital space narrowed, and C-1 and C-2 spinous process space increased. A-P view showed left rotation C-2.

Chiropractic adjustments were given twice a week for 5-1/2 months in 1975, then once a week until the present, focusing especially on the coccyx (through the rectum), L-4 and L-5, D-9, and the upper cervicals, C-1, C-2 and C-3. In many cases the readings recommend adjustments of L-4, D-9, and C-3, to create a balance between the cerebrospinal and autonomic nervous systems, and this was followed. Acupuncture was added in September, 1975, on Dr. Gultekin Caymaz's recommendations. On November 30, 1975, cranial reflexes were added.

Nutritional Supplementation


After two weeks of a special dietary regimen, the patient no longer craved alcohol. This was a tremendous improvement for her, as she had fought this problem for years. On July 11, she stopped coffee and cigarettes. Her diet was especially geared to help tendencies to hypoglycemia. In March 1976 a blood analysis revealed the patient was anemic (Hematocrit--38.6 vol.%; HB--12.7 G/DL; RBC-4.25 million/cu.mm.; WBC--4.7 thous./cu.mm.). She was asked to use a liquid source of iron, which increased her strength in a few weeks. Excerpts of dietary recommendations from the "Paralysis" file follow:
In the matter of diet--add to the body all of the seafoods that may be easily assimilated; deep sea fish.

Use no salt except kelp or deep sea salt. This is the type of seasoning that should be used upon the foods for the body.

Do not eat the white of eggs but the yolk once or twice a day, however it may be the more palatable--whether prepared in drink or in foods. Do take at least the yolks of two eggs each day.

Add all of the foods that carry silicon and the salts that may revibrate with the applications of the gold to the nerve centers for assimilation; as foods of the tuberous nature of every character--the oyster plant, every form of turnip or potatoes or yams (sweet potatoes) of the ground artichoke (tuberous artichoke). These should be parts of the foods for the body. Fish, fowl and lamb should be the meats.

Have at least five vegetables grown below the ground to one grown above the ground, or in that proportion. [Minerals are more prevalent in vegetables below the ground.] [3694-1]

Do give vitamin-rich foods; such as whole cereals, citrus fruits, liver, fish and fowl, and vegetable soups--more than the vegetables themselves. Not that these should be strained from the preparations, but more of soup than vegetables, see? Season all with butter or the like, rather than with other forms of greases. [2937-1]

In the diet, keep to those things that will bring good eliminations--as in the fresh raw vegetables often, including a great deal of watercress and other such foods that are often used as garnishes but are really the more helpful as the food needed in the body. [3498-1]

Part 2


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