Dr. Sarver Talks about NRT

What if I told you it was possible that an old scar such as from a C-section or an episiotomy scar can have an adverse effect on your ovaries, uterus, or even your pancreas?

Or if exposure to chemical toxins (such as nail polish or perfume) can stress your first two cervical vertebrate in a way that can trigger migraines? Or that your chronic neck or shoulder pain can be from a stressed out prostate gland, adrenals, or liver?

These cases and many more are not made up but are actual cases I have seen in practice utilizing Nutrition Response Testing (NRT).

Nutrition Response Testing is a structured form of autonomic nervous system (ANS) feedback testing.

It utilizes muscle testing, or applied kinesiology, to determine which tissues are stressed, which are the most stressed, and which supplements are best for the tissue and person.

Remember that the ANS is the part of the nervous system that works “autonomously”. It works without conscious control. For example, we cannot consciously make our heart stop beating or our digestive system to stop digesting, these activities occur automatically. There are two parts to the ANS: the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”). Both systems operate at the same time and have an effect on every organ and part of the body. When either system becomes imbalanced, or overly stressed, symptoms may occur. Symptoms may range on a spectrum of minor to severe, or subclinical to clinical. Since the ANS affects every part of our body, stimulation to nerve fibers of a particular organ that is stressed will reveal a weak muscle test. This is evident when contact on the area around an organ is made and a major muscle group is tested (such as the deltoids of the shoulder).

The analysis is performed through testing the body’s own neurological reflexes and acupuncture points.

As many of you are aware, our bodies contain nerves just about everywhere and reflexes are just “shortcuts” that help our bodies run more efficiently. These reflexes are related to the part of the nervous system whose job is to regulate the functions of each and every organ. The acupuncture points have no anatomical structure but are tunnels, or meridians, where energy flows in specific patterns connecting various parts of the body. NRT is the study of how the different points on the surface of the body relate to the state of health and to the flow of energy in each and every organ and function of the body. Each reflex tested represents a specific organ, tissue, or function, and indicates the effect that energy or lack of energy, is having on the body. Once an active reflex is found, tests are performed to see whether stressors such as food allergies, viruses, bacteria, fungus, parasites, heavy metals, or toxic chemicals are affecting the involved organs. Specific nutritional recommendations and supplement remedies are developed as part of the health improvement program.

In conventional medicine, once a diagnosis has been made, the doctor then uses drugs or surgery to attack or suppress the symptom, or to surgically remove the “offending” organ or part.

In NRT, designed clinical nutrition is used to correct the cause of the problem so that the body can regain the ability to correct itself.

That’s the key. In our modern society we have forgotten that the body is really designed to heal itself. But because we tend to push it, or abuse it, with excessive stressors and poor nutritional and lifestyle choices, we make it harder for the body to do so.

The great thing about this approach is that we give the body what it needs when it wants it. Through testing, the body is “communicating” with us what exactly it needs help with at that very moment. Rather than give a shotgun approach like most nutritionists do, this system works in layers.

We only provide support for what the body wants to be “fixed” at each assessment. Once “fixed”, or not producing an active reflex, it may reveal another layer it wants to be worked on. This is why reassessments are so important. This is not a one time deal and no, you do not necessarily have to be on supplements forever. It all depends on what is revealed at each session.

My “off-the-record” comment on Nutritional Response Testing

I have personally experienced the benefit of NRT and you’re going to have to believe me on this one: this stuff works. It’s not the holy grail of improving your health but it will provide significant information regarding where your health is and ways to improve it. Many of you who know me are aware that I will try anything that I feel has potential to get my patients/clients better faster than anything else out there. NRT is one of those things. Through my research and studies in nutrition and health, I have found the fastest way to lose a client is to give them the perfect diet plan. I may know what I am talking about and I may know what a client needs, but if the client is not ready to make those changes they will not listen to me.

With NRT, I give the client what their bodies need, one layer at a time. If the client chooses not to change their diet and lifestyle habits, at least by taking the supplements they are getting the nutritional support to slow down the damage. They have the choice to make however small or big changes one step at a time. You see, the supplement remedies are so specific, that although they will never replace an optimal diet, they will supply the body with what it specifically needs (which are depleted as a result of a poor diet). It’s kind of like a “bow-and-arrow” approach rather than the shotgun approach such as taking a general multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.

I am often asked “Will I have to take the supplements forever?”

Absolutely not!! You’ll have to believe me on this. I am not a snake oil salesman, nor a scam artist trying to cheat you. You will be on the supplements for however long your body needs them or tests for them. The more layers that are cleared, the less remedies you will need. From my experience, the people who have cleaned up their diets as well as other lifestyle issues are the ones that test for no active reflexes and require no further support. That’s the key, support. The supplements are supporting your body’s needs until it can support itself.