Reflex Testing

Here is an explanation of the second major method for testing the susceptibilities of the constitution to specific homeopathic remedy while still in the vial.

The heart is traditionally considered the central vital organ of the body as its beat is related to the possession of life itself. Both the rate and quality of the pulse are affected by homeopathic remedies that are related to the patient's susceptibility. The position of the patient should be basically the same as in the pupil dilation test with the patient facing west. The homeopath should read the pulse at the wrist in the traditional manner. The average adult pulse is 70 to 72 beat per minute. Individual pulse rate vary above or below this average. Some well-conditioned athletes have pulses of 50 to 60 beats. In general, those above the 72 mark are considered to have somewhat faster pulse rates and those below 70 are considered to have slower pulse rates.

Pulse rates in children vary according to age. An infants pulse can be checked below the left nipple or on the brachial artery on the inside of the arm between the elbow and shoulder. The average rate of an infant is around 120 beats per minute. A toddler between 1 to 5 will have a rate between 90 and 120 beat a minute. A child between 5 to 15 has a pulse rate of around 70 to 100 beats per minute. Both the rate and the character of the pulse should be noted carefully by the observer and then the remedies should be brought near and the pulse counted 60 seconds. Once you are familiar with the pulse's qualities and rate it may be read for 15 seconds and the number of beats multiplied by four. After this the heart rate and character can be used to test the remedies.

If the homeopath has an assistant he or she may read the pulse while the other person stands behind the patient with the remedy behind their back. While reading the pulse the remedy vial is brought near the subject's back with a quick swing stopping a few inches away from the patient's body and the changes in the pulse are recorded. The vial only needs to be in contact with the body for a few seconds but the effect may last for up to 60 seconds. The heart usually responds to the correct remedy with a sudden hesitation, sometimes for up to 1/2 a beat, followed by one loud beat of the heart, and a perceptively new rhythm and volume.

This reaction is somewhat homeostatic in nature. If the heart frequency is too rapid due to a fever or acute pain the remedy will cause it to slow down. If the pulse beat is too slow as seen in some chronic disease or a state of collapse the pulse will increase. Either way the pulse seems to usually get stronger, more vital, and take on a healthier rhythm. If this affect is pronounced the pulse beat will change up to four, six, or eight beats per minute. If the practitioner is alone they will have to manipulate the vial by themselves. This can be done by lining up the remedies on a table and bringing them near the client to test them. Listen to see when the response first ensues. How close did the vial have to be brought to the body to start the reaction? Sometimes the pulse will respond as soon as you pick up the remedy.

These effects can be plainly distinguished by auscultation with a stethoscope and can be viewed on a fluoroscope. In cases where there are irregular beats the correct remedy seems to stabilize the pulse and make it more regular. If the heart is arrhythmic because of a serious pathological lesion there is still often a clear response.

Those practitioners who have been trained in the traditional Chinese pulse used for acupuncture will find that this method a wealth of information. Because the Chinese pulse is related to the five elements, and the energy channels, and organ of the body, it offers the observer great insights into the reactions of the remedies. In this way each major organ and bowel and their related physiological systems can be monitored by the operator through their corresponding regions in the radial pulse. In this way the changes brought on by the remedy can be carefully recorded. This analysis is made in the same manner that is used to check the reaction of the vital force to the inserting of the needles in the acupuncture points. The same may be said about the use of other traditional pulse reading techniques such as the Aryur Vedic, the Urani, or Tibetan Buddhist systems. I have had the opportunity to study all these traditional pulses with Chinese, Tibetans, and Indian Vaids and Muslim Hakims.

With these more subtle pulse reading systems it is also possible to see the affects of an incorrect remedy as well as signs of aggravations advanced. For more information on how to read these pulses please refer to books on the subject, or, if possible, find an experienced teacher. Even those who have not studied these subtle pulse reading techniques will be able to hear the changes in the rhythm, volume, nature and character of the pulses. Over the years I have depended more on these changes than simply counting the number of beat. Many times the change in the strength, rhythm, and character are more pronounced than the change in the number of beats. This is where the old four elemental Hippocratic or Chinese pulse are much more useful than the number of beats recorded by most modern orthodox practitioners.

The great homeopath, C. M. Boger, shared his experience of using the pulse reflex in one of his most difficult cases. After the patient failed to respond to the traditional methods of selecting a homeopathic remedy, Boger decided he should try the pulse reflex. He went through the difficult practice of testing as many remedies as time allowed over a period of a days until he found a remedy that was so rare that it had no proving. This remedy was then used without knowing the complete symptoms of the medicine and the patient began to recover immediately. When the symptoms picture cleared up on this remedy, Boger was then able to follow that medicine with a remedy chosen in the traditional manner to complete the case.

Normally, it is best to chose a small group remedies by the traditional methods and then test them on the pulse. We have all had trouble deciding between two or three remedies in a given case. The pulse can easily show the homeopath which remedy the vital force wants in that moment. It will also help show you which potency is the most suitable. Autonomic reflex testing can make a great difference in any homeopaths practice, particularly when it is difficult to chose between a few well chosen remedies. It is also useful after several remedies have been used and the symptoms have become masked due to too many partial simillimums. Anyone with a little patience can learn to observe the reaction of the pulse.