By assessing hormone, immune, gastrointestinal, and detoxification systems of the body we can identify potential sources of chronic stress that can result in hormone, immune, and metabolic breakdown.
Assessing Adrenal Function
- Ragland’s Postural Hypotension Test
- Paradoxical Pupillary Response Test
- Reflex Testing: Medial Knee Tenderness
- Reflex Testing: Inguinal Ligament Tenderness
- Sergent’s White Line
- Breathing Pattern Assessment
- Sphenoid Assessment
Ragland’s Postural Hypotension Test
Purpose:
To determine presence and severity of adrenal exhaustion.
Procedure:
1. Instruct the patient to lay supine on the treatment table.
2. Place the blood pressure cuff on the arm of choice and determine the systolic pressure.
3. Pump up the cuff again 15 mm/Hg higher than the supine systolic pressure and while supporting their arm., instruct the patient to stand up quickly.
4. Immediately release the valve so that you can determine the standing systolic pressure within 5 seconds of the patient arising
Notes:
Poor adrenal function is often manifested by dizziness when standing up quickly.
This test may be conducted sitting to standing but the blood pressure drop may not be as dramatic so adjust accordingly.
The systolic pressure must be assessed within 5 seconds of the patient standing otherwise the systolic drop will occur before you can measure.
Paradoxical Pupillary Response Test
Purpose:
To determine the ability of the eyes to adapt to light as an indication of the presence and severity of adrenal exhaustion.
Procedure:
1. Darken the room and wait 15 seconds.
2. Instruct the patient to look at a fixed point and not to blink.
3. Come in from the side of the eye and direct the pen light at the pupil at approximately a 45 degree angle. Hold the light 6-12 inches from the patients eye depending on the intensity of the light.
4. Count 20 seconds observing the reaction of the pupil.
Results:
Note:
Rule out drugs or neurological dysfunction.
Person failing this test will normally wear sunglasses outside in even moderate sunlight.
Sergent’s White Line Test
Procedure:
1. This is only present in about 40% of people with Adrenal Fatigue.
2. With a ballpoint pen, take the cap end of the pen and lightly stroke the skin on the abdomen, making a mark about 6″ long. Within a few seconds, a line should appear.
3. In a normal reaction, the mark is initially white, but reddens within a few seconds. If you have Adrenal Fatigue, the line will stay white for about 2 minutes and will also widen.
Skinfold Caliper Test
1. Measure Triceps and Umbilical
2. Ratio indicative of cortisol imbalance
Measurement for Triceps
1. Arms extended with elbow at 90 dregrees
2. Mid-point
3. Center point of triceps head
4. Perpendicular fold
Measurement for Umbilical
1. One inch away and one inch above umbilical
2. Take perpendicular punch and measure
The Formula
Male: Umbilical 127% of Triceps
Female: Umbilical 76% of Triceps