Interference Fields

By Dr. Alison Adams, Contributor

One Radio Network

An interference field is a region of chronic irritation in the body which is usually precipitated by some kind of tissue trauma. This trauma permanently destabilises the membrane potentials in the region which are frequently reduced so that the thresholds are reached more readily resulting in chronic low-grade excitation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and impaired intracellular metabolism and ion exchange.

Interference fields are frequently, but not exclusively, associated with scars, but other causes can include burns, bruises, injections, a bone fracture, an injury such as whiplash, a strain or slipped disc, etc.

The destabilised regions so produced also impede the normal electromagnetic flow of the body’s acupuncture meridian system creating symptoms often at a distant site. The interference field acts like a capacitor in that it stores an electrical charge which is then discharged chaotically causing a sharp pain or other sudden onset symptom. Such symptoms may relate to the pathways of the meridians such that the side of the leg may be painful because of previous gallbladder surgery.

If the initial injury is superficial, there may be, or may not be, symptoms at the originating site. Symptoms can reflex to, or be caused by, the viscera (the lining of the internal organs) which may cause skeletal muscle pain or spasm. Persistent somatic problems may arise from recurrent problems relating to the viscera of an internal organ. This may take the form of impairment of the range of motion of a joint in one or more – but not all – directions.

The causative interference field is usually on the same side of the body as the symptoms, but symptoms can occur on both sides of the body usually on the meridian or organ associated with the meridian affected.

Because the cause goes unrecognised and untreated by allopathic medicine, the problems created may become chronic or intermittent and the sufferers are often regarded as neurotic as they search for answers but find no solutions.

Depending upon the definition used, interference fields are estimated to affect anywhere between one-third and all of the population. Examples of disorders caused by interference fields include:

Headaches and migraines

Allergies, hay fever, asthma and eczema

Confusion and depression

Dizziness and ear problems

Hormonal imbalances

Chronic pain

Chronic fatigue

Dysfunction and disease of just about any organ and

Chronic degenerative conditions.

Interference fields are often associated with a noticeable change in skin temperature and also with changes in electrical potentials which can be measured using a galvanometer. The skin in the affected area may also look different being either drier, more moist or slightly swollen. Typically, with acute dysfunction the region is often warm and swollen whereas with chronic dysfunction the skin is cool and has a lifeless texture.

Research by the Romanian physician, Emanuel Revici into interference fields revealed abnormal fatty acids in the region long before the discovery of the actions of different prostaglandins. And Alfred Pischinger, in his studies of blood changes associated with interference fields, found altered pH, leukocyte counts, immunoglobulins and oxygen saturation in affected areas.

Scars as a cause of interference fields

Any scar can harbour an interference field especially if there are areas of thickening, keloid formation, or any tenderness on light or deep pressure. Sometimes a scar may prove ticklish, or the individual may experience anxiety as the scar is touched or approached.

Scars that may form interference fields include:

Any surgical scars including those relating to the placement of prostheses, C-section scars, cosmetic surgery, laser eye surgery and hair transplant surgery. The deep wounds of arthroscopy or endoscopic surgery are more likely than superficial ones to become the sites of interference fields. And then there are the invisible internal scars associated with an internal hysterectomy or sinus surgery, etc. Premature or too short severing of the umbilical cord at birth can also create an interference field on the all-important central reservoir meridian.

Any scars formed as a result of traumatic injuries including cuts, bruises, burns, sprains, whiplash, slipped discs, etc.

Puncture wounds from injections including dental anaesthetics, vaccinations, intravenous drug or vitamin therapy, epidural spinal blocks, animal or insect bites, etc.

Scars from acne, childhood diseases such as chicken pox, cold sores, etc.

Any persistently abnormal body areas including regions of bruising or discoloration, rashes, fungal infections, sores, and any areas with abnormal sensations: i.e. burning, cold, tingling, etc.

Tattoos and piercings.

Scars are the most frequent culprits but the size of the scar bears no relation to the extent of the interference field created. Only part of a long scar may be causing problems and the symptomatic part may be thicker, redder or more tender than the rest of the scar. Sometimes multiple different interference fields can reflex to a particular area, or an injury site can reflex to several areas. In these cases all the interference fields need to be identified and treated.

Interference fields are also more likely to form if the individual was unwell and/or poorly nourished – and specifically zinc deficient – at the time of the injury. They are also more likely to occur if the injury was complicated by infection or delayed healing or if the injury occurred in a highly charged emotional atmosphere. Such that a scar associated with cancer surgery or sustained during an assault is more likely to become in interference field than a similar injury sustained under less stressful conditions.

Teeth as a cause of interference fields

Seventy percent of interference fields are said to be in the head and neck, with the teeth, the maxillary sinuses and the tonsils accounting for the majority. Of the interference fields arising from the teeth, half are related to wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth extraction sites (see Dental Cavitations article).

The reason that the teeth account for such a significant proportion of interference fields relates to the different disease processes that can affect the teeth including tooth decay, gum disease, devitalisation and infection. And while the teeth are a common source of interference fields, the causative tooth is usually asymptomatic but will affect areas that lie along the meridian or organs served by the meridian associated with the affected tooth.

Other causes include the use of toxic restorative materials particularly toxic metals which can leach into the surrounding tissue and which can become galvanically and electromagnetically active in the moisture of the mouth. This can result in metal ions being driven into adjacent tissues and accumulating as what are known as ‘depot’ antigens.

An ordinary physical examination will not reveal interference fields, but any tender area without other evidence of inflammation may suggest the presence of an interference field. And although full mouth X-rays are necessary in order to assess the possibility of interference fields they are not sufficient in themselves as pathology visible on a radiograph is also a poor indicator.

Teeth contain millions of cells known as odontoblasts which act as the circulation to the dentine of the tooth. Some or all of these cells may die, but vitality is very hard to assess since a positive reading may be obtained from a tooth that is partially devitalised. A chronically inflamed dental pulp can cause an interference field but the tooth may take many years to die and for an infection (abscess) to become evident. In addition, X-ray changes may only be visible some time after the death of the tooth. Any area of infection is secondary to the devitalisation of the tooth so that two interference fields may be created by the dead tooth and the infection it gives rise to.

Other oral causes of interference fields may include:

Discoloured teeth This can be an indication of either a root-filled tooth or a devitalised tooth and these pose several health issues including the possible generation of interference fields (see Problems With Root Canal Fillings).

Previous oral surgery including the placement of dental implants, bone grafts and apicectomy (surgery to the tip of the root) can also be implicated.

Wisdom teeth Even seemingly healthy wisdom teeth can apply pressure to the mandibular nerve due to shrinking of the jaws from their original blueprint.

Oral infections can also create secondary tonsillar and lymphatic gland enlargement which can become interference fields in themselves.

Traumatic occlusion The added stresses placed on teeth supporting bridgework or the stresses placed on a tilted or misplaced tooth that is creating an interference.

Other pathology such as cysts, osteoporotic changes within the bone, hypercementosis (a deposition of excessive amounts of cementum on the root surface), periodontal disease (gum disease) and retained root tips or foreign bodies (further to extraction).

Cracked teeth Cracked teeth often go undiagnosed until either the tooth becomes painful or the tooth fractures.

Oral lesions Even an oral lesion which occurred years ago can leave behind a latent interference field that can become active when there in an additional insult at a later date.

The Spanish stomatologist, Ernesto Adler, found that wisdom teeth irritations were linked to problems of the cervical spine (‘cervical syndrome’) and also to other disorders, including ’emotional crisis’. According to Adler, interference fields generated in the maxillary region are associated with painful pressure-sensitive points adjacent to the lateral processes of the second cervical vertebra on the same side as the interference field. And mandibular interference fields produce pressure-sensitive points adjacent to the lateral processes of the third cervical vertebra. These became known as ‘Adler’s points’ and are a useful way of assessing the possibility of oral interference fields.

Ganglia as a cause of interference fields

Ganglia are nerve cell clusters that act as ‘exchanges’ for the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is the automatic nervous system of the body which operates functions beneath conscious awareness eg: respiration, heart rate, digestion, etc.

Sometimes an active interference field can spread to include the autonomic ganglia which can in turn become an interference field. It may be that the ganglia are reacting to an overload of incoming stimulation, or that they become toxic as a result of retrograde axonal transport (tracking of toxins in the nerves towards the central nervous system).

For example, it is fairly common for individuals with a large number of amalgam fillings may develop interference fields in their sphenopalatine ganglia.

The sphenopalatine ganglia

The sphenopalatine ganglia can be found high above the back of the mouth and are one of the most common ganglia to harbour interference fields. They supply autonomic fibres to the upper teeth, the maxillary sinuses, the nose, the eyes, the inner ear, and the cheeks and skin. They also interconnect directly with the limbic system of the brain and this may account for the emotional aspects of some facial pain.

Interference fields in one or both sphenopalatine ganglia should be considered if there is any restorative dentistry of the upper jaw, any history of surgery or trauma to the upper jaw or face, recurring sinusitis or rhinitis. Sphenopalatine interference fields should be suspected in any case of dental or facial pain or headache, including trigeminal neuralgia.

Until proven otherwise, pain in the upper teeth with no detectable dental problem should be considered attributable to sphenopalatine interference fields. Temporomandibular joint syndrome, nasal congestion and eustachian tube dysfunction may also be causally related to an interference field in the sphenopalatine ganglion.

The sphenopalatine ganglia may also cause remote problems involving the shoulders or low back pain.

The submandibular ganglia

The submandibular ganglia are located deep under the tongue and an interference field in a submandibular ganglion should be suspected in any case of unexplained dental pain of the lower jaw. Sometimes the interference field is associated with salivary gland problems and interference fields in the submandibular ganglion are usually caused by trauma or infection often relating to dental procedures.

Identification of interference fields

The following methods may help to identify interference fields.

History A history may reveal a latency period of a few weeks or months between an injury and the appearance of a seemingly unrelated symptom. Reference to the emotional associations of the various organs may help in that depression and fatigue are associated with a distressed liver, so this symptom picture may indicate a liver interference field due to toxic overload.

Physical examination A physical examination may reveal changes in skin texture, temperature and tenderness to pressure.

Muscle testing Simply testing scars and other potential interference field sites using muscle testing is simple but effective. If the site is an active interference field the muscle being tested will test weak (see Muscle Testing Dental Restorations).

Electroacupuncture assessment Some practitioners use a variety of bioenergy equipment to assess meridian flows and pinpoint potential interference fields.

Treatment of interference fields

Neural therapy The gold standard treatment for interference fields involves injecting procaine into the scar or affected area and this treatment is known as Neural Therapy. It was developed by the German brothers Ferdinand and Walter Huneke in 1940 and has been fairly widely used in Germany ever since. Treatment involves infiltration of dilute procaine into a causative scar and the therapy works by temporarily hyperpolarising both healthy and diseased cell membranes. The procaine is metabolised to para-amino benzoic acid (PABA) in the body and excreted by the kidneys. And, as the effect of the procaine wears off, the membrane potential of the diseased cells is able to normalise.

Scar massage Massaging a scar daily for a minute or so with organic wheat germ oil for approximately a month can help to reduce interference fields in addition to softening the appearance of scar tissue. Keep massaging the scar until a muscle test is negative ie: remains strong.

Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) The use of Low Level Laser Therapy is a painless form of phototherapy using a low power coherent light to stimulate healing. It has many physical benefits, but its use in treating interference fields helps to ‘reset’ the flow of communication in the region by altering cell membrane permeability.

Electrophysical therapy Some practitioners use various forms of electrophysical therapy to deliver energy of different kinds, which seems to have the effect of restabilising cell membranes.

Acupuncture Acupuncture may also help to revitalise and normalise affected areas enabling acupuncture meridian energy flows through the affected area.

MediBody Packs The application of between 4 to 6 MediBody or MediDental packs to the affected area normalises the area such that it will gradually begin to test strong again to muscle testing (see videos and article listed below).

Note that trauma can get ‘locked’ into the affected area and that effective treatment of the interference field may cause trapped emotional issues to surface.