Contact Reflex Analysis

(another dubious technique)

Contact Reflex Analysis (CRA), an elaborate variation of "applied kinesiology", is bogus diagnostic method developed and promoted by Dick A. Versendaal, D.C., of Holland, Michigan. CRA claims to be capable of testing every possible condition in the human body, help the patient and tell the patient how long it will take to get well (usually after quite a bit of time, money, and office visits).

How does CRA claim to work?

Building on the analogy of a computer being like a brain and neurons being similar to electrical wires Mr. Versendaal takes a big leap of faith (and imagination) to state:

"Research has proven the human body to be like a computer, made up of the brain (electrical generator and memory bank) and thousands of miles of electrical wires called nerves. These nerves connect every organ, gland and tissue of the body. These nerves also connect with "fuses" or "breaker switches" called contact reflexes. By contacting these reflexes, using the body's muscular system as an indicator, we are able to monitor the function of body systems."

Testing is done by pulling on the patient's outstretched arm while placing one's finger or hand on one of about 75 "reflex" points on the patient's body. There are nine main "reflexes" pictured below, are the "right master allergy reflex," "left master allergy reflex," "metabolic reflex," "master heart/blood quality reflex," "hemoglobin reflex," "coronary reflex," "virus reflex, and "yeast reflex." Others include the "parasite reflex," "vaginal tract reflex," "pineal gland reflex," "virus reflex," "blood quality reflex," "gouty arthritis reflex," "pus reflex," and "yeast infection reflex."

But wait- there's even more!!

Versendaal states that the front of the hand is electrically "positive," the back is "negative," and the fingers are "neutral." If the arm is weak and can be pulled downward, the reflex "blows," indicating that disease corresponding to the reflex is present. This sounds a lot like the discredited (but still practiced) B.E.S.T treatment introduced by Milton Ted Morter, Jr. of Arkansas in the 1970's.

The textbook Contact Reflex Analysis and Designed Clinical Nutrition contains reflex charts, testing instructions, and lists of recommended supplements for both humans and animals. A flyer for practitioners calls it a reference manual for over 1000 syndromes and their treatments." However, a flyer for patients states:

"CRA is not a method of diagnosis. It is a means by which a doctor uses the body's reflexes to accurately determine the root cause of a health problem. CRA is also a marvelous preventative technique, used to find a problem before it becomes a full-blown health issue. Find it early and correct it."

This contradicts claims made at other times that CRA can diagnosis disease and is merely an attempt to circumvent legal restrictions prohibiting chiropractors from diagnosing diseases. Rather bizzare claims made include: []

• Eighty percent of diseases are due to allergy.
• The two main causes of disease are gallbladder disease and staph infections.
• People can only get fat from prostate and ovarian hormones going bad.
• The most common cause of hair loss in men and women is poor blood.
• The kidneys are controlled by the thyroid gland.
• The uterus stores every hormone the body needs.
• Doctors don't know this: The most common cause of juvenile diabetes is parasites.
• Yeast infections cause fibroids of the uterus and breast.
• Most of the skin is made up of calcium (not protein).
• The most common cause of chronic constipation is parasites. Constipation means that the lymphatics have dried up.
• The heart rarely wears out unless you are born with a weak heart.
• Subluxation of the ankle can cause a stiff neck.
• Rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis) has three causes: too much calcium in the body, too little calcium in the body, and infection.

What's the "Treatment" for conditions discovered by C.R.A.?

"Nutritional" products -- most manufactured by Standard Process Laboratories -- are then prescribed to correct the alleged problems. As you might guess, Mr. Versendaal holds a large financial stake in this company. Most of the "magic pills" are made of dehydrated vegetables and animal organs.

Dangers of C.R.A.

Persons under the care of a C.R.A. practitioner may waste hundreds or thousands of their hard earned dollars on office visits and worthless supplements, may avoid seeking proper medical help for potentially serious medical problems, and may be "prescribed" potentially dangerous supplements. Iodine containing supplements , recommended for "thyroid disorders", have been documented to cause hyperthyroidism (a serious condition). The following example is from "Contact Reflex Analysis" by Stephen Barrett, M.D.

In 1992, a 50-year-old Pennsylvania woman, in apparently good health, was treated by a chiropractor for hip and leg pain resulting from an automobile accident. When the pain resolved, the chiropractor checked a "thyroid reflex," said she had a "thyroid problem" and recommended dietary supplements that contained iodine. The chiropractor ordered no laboratory tests, standard or otherwise, to measure how well the woman's thyroid was functioning. The prescribed amount of iodine was more than ten times the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Within three months, it stimulated the woman's thyroid to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, which triggered weight loss, severe diarrhea, and other symptoms of thyroid toxicity. The iodine also triggered Graves disease, a thyroid condition in which the eyeballs bulge. The swelling became so severe that, despite medical treatment, the woman's optic nerves were crushed and she is now legally blind. Her lawsuit against the chiropractor was settled out of court with undisclosed terms.

Supporters of C.R.A will say that most medication errors are made by physicians. This is true; however, physicians treat an overwhelming number of patients with the most complicated medical problems and are the only providers able to prescribe medications. C.R.A is based on fallacy and those practicing it do not have a clue to appropriate patient history taking, physical examination techniques nor appropriate medical decision making.

The Bottom Line

CRA, oriented to marketing and generating money for its practitioners, almost always leads to misdiagnosis. Persons under the care of a C.R.A. practitioner may waste hundreds or thousands of their hard earned dollars on office visits and worthless supplements to treat nonexistent conditions. Patients seeking a medical second opinion will face additional cost.

According to Stephen Barrett, M.D., the number of CRA practitioners is unknown but is probably a few hundred, most of whom are chiropractors.

Acknowledgment

Significant information was obtained from "Contact Reflex Analysis" by Stephen Barrett, M.D. and can be accessed at http://www.chirobase.org. This site is vehemently dedicated to exposing medical quackery and provides in-depth information.

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