Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.)

Introduction

Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.), developed during the mid-1970s by chiropractor Milton Ted Morter, Jr., of Rogers, Arkansas, is claimed to be "a holistic program that coordinates and balances the workings of all the systems of the body." [1] Instead of manipulation it claims to work by using gentle touch to resynchronize misaligned body magnetic fields.

How is B.E.S.T. supposed to work?

B.E.S.T. is based on the idea that "stress-induced energy imbalance will cause the body to become divided into areas of North and South energy and that development and repair of the body is controlled by its electromagnetic field. A healthy body does not have this "division" of energy. B.E.S.T. supporters state that an imbalance in the patient's electromagnetic field causes unequal leg length, which the chiropractor can instantly correct by applying his own electromagnetic energy to proper points on the body. According to this notion, two fingers on each of the chiropractor's hands are North poles, two are South poles, and the thumbs are electromagnetically neutral. When imbalance is detected, the hands are held for a few seconds at "contact points" on the patient's body until "pulsation" is felt and the patient's legs test equally long. Proponents recommend that such testing be started early in infancy and continued at least monthly throughout life.

What conditions does B.E.S.T. claim to treat?

Supporter claim B.E.S.T treatment will correct physical (biomagnetic), nutritional, and emotional stresses. It is touted as being able to treat the causes, not just symptoms of underlying diseases. Some claims are made that all ill infants, as well as colicky infants, have disrupted electromagnetic energy fields that are treatable by B.E.S.T. therapy.

Nutrition Angle

Morter claims that a well-balanced diet, made up of the 'basic four' food groups, causes poor health over time due to a variety of factors. [2] His HealthSystem's "nutritional" component is based on the belief that "patients can maintain life and vitality by consuming four times as much alkaline-forming as acid-forming foods." Proponents claim that testing saliva pH [degree of acidity or alkalinity] can determine whether a person's symptoms are nutritionally or emotionally based and indicates whether the most effective method of care should be nutritional supplementation and/or adjustive.

Recommended supplements include:

• Alka·Green (a 100% barley juice concentrate recommended as the best "overall body alkalizer"),
• Alka·Slim ("the only weight reduction formula designed to alkalize and energize at the same time")
• lka·Pan (a pancreatic enzyme formula "designed to reduce stress in the body and aid digestion"), and several other products [3].

For babies, a mixture of raw goat milk, carrot juice, and distilled water is said to be "an excellent replacement for infant formulas." [4] The supplement products are also marketed through Nutrition for Life, a multilevel company that lists Morter as a consultant.

Bottom line

The above ideas are are not supported by objective and independent scientific research. B.E.S.T. appears to combine elements of disproved touch therapy (with respect to altered body magnetic fields) and useless Activator Methods used by some chiropractors.

In the absence of serious disease, digestive and metabolic mechanisms maintain the appropriate pH regardless of which foods are eaten. Raw (unpasteurized) goat milk is potentially unsafe, especially for babies, because it can harbor dangerous bacteria. Proper diet is important for both physical and emotional well being. We recommend consulting a licensed dietitian for more information on designing a healthy diet.

Besides the danger of not diagnosing a potentially serious problem requiring treatment from a medical doctor and the hazards of drinking nonpasteurized goat milk B.E.S.T. therapy avoids potential complications that can occur with manipulation. It makes practice safer from a malpractice perspective.

The description supplied by the Morter web site suggests that this technique is essentially muscle tender/ trigger point manipulation. B.E.S.T, or any skillful hands on manipulation/ massage may be helpful in patients suffering fron musculoskeletal pain or refered pain from neck and back (trigger points/ fibromyalgia). As this condition is often recurring periodic massages/ manipulation are "required". A patient's outlook will certainly improve for the better if pain is removed.

Although the exact cause of muscle trigger points is not known there is no evidence it is caused by vertebral body subluxations. Scientific sounding explanations for why B.E.S.T massage works and claims that brain interference, caused by stored emotions, with the physical body are not based on scientific evidence although such explanations do sound appealing.

B.E.S.T. is a massage technique that may be suitable for persons with specific back/ neck musculoskeletal problems. Its proponents have unrealistically expanded the scope of what it can treat. Massage is not appropriate as treatment or prevention of any other medical conditions. It is not needed to maintain healthy functioning and persons without back or neck musculoskeletal pain/ spasm do not need treatments. Claims that it can prevent disease are dangerous and misleading.

References

1. Morter HealthSystem Web site. Accessed June 11, 2000.

2. Morter MT Jr. Your Health Your Choice. Hollywood, FL: Fell Publishers, 1992, p 2.

3. Nutritional supplements with a healthy difference! Specifically designed to alkalize the body. Information for doctors only. Rogers, AR: Morter HealthSystem, 1992.

4. Morter T and others. Baby B.E.S.T.: Infant Adjusting/Care. Rogers, AR: Morter HealthSystem, 1991.

Acknowledgment

Content information was obtained from "Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.) and the Morter HealthSystem" by Stephen Barrett, M.D. and can be accessed at http://www.chirobase.org

Content has been condensed and reformatted by DoctorsCorner.Com.

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