Subsystem shares space with the other subsystems, its optimum responsiveness occurs when any of the other subsystems exhibit any loss of normal ability to dissipate energy. Conversely, the Emotional Subsystem may become impaired in its normal expression. In this circumstance, it is suggested that energy (tension) stored in the Emotional Subsystem is transferred to one or more of the other subsystems.

Clinical observations suggest that energy is dissipated through the Emotional Subsystem via the following:

1. Increased Respiratory Wave activity which gently rocks the spinal segments and
   soft tissues through a greater range of motion (oscillation), dissipating energy
   from the Active and neural control systems and increasing the coordination with
   the Passive Subsystem;

2. Tension being transferred to the Passive and Active Subsystem where it can then
   be released through muscle movement; and

3. Vocalization and other forms of expression, which appear to dissipate tension
   from what has been referred to as the Emotional Motor System.

If the excess energy is not dissipated, an aberrant dynamic state arises which may produce a variety of responses, such as those described by Panjabi (1992), including: muscular hypertonicity, changes in osseous alignment, or a wide variety of physiological dysfunctions mediated through the Neural Control Subsystem. Since the Emotional Motor System regulates the sensory and motor gain at every spinal level, lack of dissipation of energy through the Emotional Subsystem could have physical and physiological consequences. Logically, such a state could produce an initiation of, or an exacerbation of, symptoms associated with existing pathology, injury, or anomaly.

In conjunction with the importance of subsystems, is the manner in which the components participate in the overall synergism associated with holistic function. In this regard, oscillation is integral to conceptualizing the synergistic interactions of stabilizing subsystems. Oscillation refers to the frequency at which an event varies between two extremes. Frequency or periodicity of an oscillation is often measured in cycles per second or Hertz (one cycle per second). Oscillations occur at the molecular level, as well as, the gross level. For example, atoms oscillate and, consequently, vertebrae oscillate (being made of atoms). Oscillations may travel as waves (energy flowing through matter), such as those observed in the Respiratory and Somatopsychic Waves™.

In NSA, oscillators may be any part of the living system. These oscillators are usually coupled and oscillating in phase (synchrony) or anti-phase (asynchrony). The significance of coupled oscillators in biological systems is currently under investigation. It is apparent, however, that oscillation is an inherent part of biological coordination.

The concept of oscillation in Neuroanatomy suggests that neurons may act as oscillators, sending their signals to various parts of the brain as part of the informational

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