Many people have mental blocks which obstruct them from getting healthy and achieving their goals. These self-defeating behaviors often have hidden roots in dietary factors, making lasting change difficult.
“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” — Buddha
Understanding Psychological Reversal
In the 1980s, Dr. Roger Callahan, Ph.D., a psychologist, began using Applied Kinesiology in a way that resembled a lie detector test. In patients struggling with self-sabotaging behaviors, he observed muscle testing responses to certain statements. Specifically, he detected a weakening response to positive statements such as “I want to be well” while they remained strong to negative statements such as “I want to be sick.” He named this phenomenon Psychological Reversal (PR) and discovered that it could be addressed using acupuncture meridian points.
The Link Between Gut Health and Psychological Reversal
Dr. Callahan’s method for treating PR involved stimulating the Small Intestine 3 (SI3) acupuncture points on the hands.
He found that treating these points reversed the muscle responses: those who had weakened to positive phrases and strengthened to negative ones showed the opposite results after treatment.
My late mentor, Dr. Walter Schmitt, expanded on Callahan’s findings. He noted that while Callahan’s corrections were effective, they were often short-lived. Patients who unknowingly consumed problematic foods would see the PR return. Dr. Schmitt reasoned that the small intestine plays a pivotal role in food allergies and sensitivities. If dietary triggers aren’t addressed, the PR will recur, trapping the patient in a vicous cycle. Therefore, comprehensive dietary assessment with food sensitivity testing is crucial for lasting changes. This form of testing can be done using Applied Kinesiology.
Home Exercise
Dr. Schmitt also drew on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to create a straightforward meditation for PR, targeting the Lower Dan Tian (a vital energy center)
1. Focus: Direct your attention to a coin-sized area located 2 inches below your belly button and 2 inches deep into your abdomen.
2. Hold: Keep your focus on this area for a minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Tap: After 60 seconds, place one hand over your Dan Tian, and with your other hand, tap just below your nose, at the midpoint of your upper lip. Continue tapping for 30 seconds, at a rate of 2 taps per second.
4. Repeat: Perform this sequence at least 3 times per day.
This meditation immediately strengthens the abdominal and quadriceps muscles, which have a direct relationship with small intestine’s function. By improving small intestine health, this practice not only helps overcome self-defeating behaviors, but also addresses a variety of digestive issues, such as SIBO, leaky gut, bloating, indigestion, and much more.