What is stress patterning?
Dr. Sparks uses the term “stress patterning” for the dysfunction she often encounters in patients with underlying exposures, stressors, and narratives impeding the body’s homeostasis, (the ability to self-regulate). As the body’s ability to maintain balance is disrupted, the immune system, autonomic nervous system, lymphatic system, and the ability to detox and drain through the bile ducts may suffer increased dysfunction and decreased efficiency.
Dr. Sparks’ continued growth as a physician treating patients with chronic conditions has helped her become familiar with the traditional and holistic presentation of multi-system dysfunction–or “stress patterning.” In her experience, certain system dysfunction presents in a unique set of symptoms and history. Her familiarity with stress patterning helps her to formulate treatment plans to address possible underlying contributors to chronic conditions.
What is the importance of stress patterning?
Dr. Sparks believes that the disruption to homeostasis may be one of the earliest indicators of organ and system dysfunction, occurring before the presentation of physical symptoms or abnormal testing. As such, identifying and addressing some stress patterning may not only address chronic conditions, it may also provide an opportunity to prevent some chronic conditions before they manifest in physical symptoms or abnormalities.
Early Indicators of Stress
The work of Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, (explained below), identified the importance of biophoton emission in assessing organs and systems. As an ART clinician, Dr. Sparks applies Dr. Klinghardt’s principle that biophoton emission can be assessed to identify cells that may be losing optimal function. ART assessment is therefore critical as one piece of the stress patterning puzzle.
Restoring Homeostasis
Dr. Sparks believes that improved health is possible by addressing the exposures, stressors, and narrative that may be causing stress and dysfunction. This involves:
- Eliminating, mitigating, or managing the “faucets” impacting health.
- Improving system function to help with waste removal through detoxification and drainage.
- Addressing physical and energetic inflammation to increase energy and rebalance the body.
Dr. Sparks uses a variety of modalities in her treatment plans. While she uses supplements, her goal is to help patients significantly reduce or eliminate supplements over time.
What is the priority of addressing stress patterning?
Dr. Sparks believes in a “both ways” approach to addressing chronic conditions. For acute symptoms, traditional medicine should be the first option to identify and rule out issues that could be effectively addressed with traditional medicine. For patients who continue to struggle with health issues after traditional treatment, assessing stress patterning can provide a valuable holistic perspective. Dr. Sparks does not provide acute care services, however, and treating stress patterning is not meant as a replacement for traditional medicine.
The Work of Dr. Klinghardt
Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD has spent the past several decades exploring the connections between the autonomic nervous system, stress, and chronic health conditions. The autonomic nervous system is an extensive network of nerve connections between the organs, including the skin. The autonomic nervous system controls many of the involuntary functions in the body, (such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and, digestion), and is involved in the “fight or flight” reaction. Dr. Klinghardt’s doctoral and PhD research focused on the relationship of the autonomic nervous system with the immune system.
Dr. Klinghardt focused on biophoton emission, the spontaneous emission of ultraweak light, as an indication of organ stress. He believes that stressed cells may lose the ability to produce coherent light, which can lead to dysfunction. Dr. Klinghardt developed ART (Autonomic Response Testing), which uses muscle testing of the autonomic nervous system to gain insight into the energetic balance of organs, systems, and subsystems.
Be sure to read about the energetic landscape and the faucet and the drain under the SFM Approach tab above.
Patients interested in evaluating and addressing their faucet and drain issues should consider the Functional Medicine Program by clicking below: