flow. These signals are interpreted and elicit various responses. Additionally, it has been shown by Kelso (1995) that neural oscillations from different neural circuits (groups of neurons mutually coupled), if acting in phase, result in a stronger signal as opposed to a reduced signal, when acting in anti-phase. It has also been shown by Kelso that rhythmic behavior, in terms of oscillation, is favored over non-rhythmic behavior. As an example, subjects oscillating their opposing index fingers non-rhythmically make a spontaneous "phase transition" to a synchronous phase as the frequency of oscillation is increased. If the subjects start by oscillating their fingers in phase, they do not spontaneously adopt an asynchronous phase under the same conditions. This suggests that a system fluctuating synchronously may spontaneously dissipate into a state of order. Prigogine has also proposed this concept, as described earlier.

NSA promotes the concept that oscillators, such as vertebrae or ligaments (Passive Subsystem), couple with sensory components of muscles and tendons (Active Subsystem) that further couple with higher brain centers through the Neural Control Subsystem to ultimately affect spinal stability. The oscillators which travel through these subsystems can be evoked at the level of the Passive Subsystem by energy stimuli in the form of load bearing, physical trauma, or a corrective entrainment. Consequently, each Level of Care in NSA is associated with progressive evidence of an increasing number of neurologically entrained spinal oscillators, as this coupling effect would be expected to enhance the efficacy of energy dissipation and the amplification of segmental oscillation, potentially increasing the internal signal providing the brain with a greater capacity for enhanced self awareness.

It is speculated that the oscillatory energy generated at the efferent (brain) level of response is manifested, at least in part, as the Respiratory and/or Somatopsychic Wave™. The presence of the Wave phenomena offers prime examples of how the Neural Control Subsystem can effect adaptive change in the Passive and Active Subsystems in their activities to dissipate energy. That is, during NSA Care the body develops new strategies, not shown to develop otherwise, that result in dissipation of considerable energy through entrained discharges involving a combination of responses. Respiratory Waves and/or Somatopsychic (body-mind) Waves evoke contraction of the paraspinal musculature, hard tissue realignment, and, occasionally, an emotional release, all of which contribute to the dissipation of excessive stored energy and tension in the spine. Mathematical modeling of surface electromyography data from individuals expressing the Somatopsychic Wave™ is postulated to represent increased self-organization in relationship to advancing progression through NSA Levels of Care. Clinical experience has demonstrated that appropriate intervention by the practitioner to induce this Wave phenomenon in the recipient is safe and effective.

Means of assessing adaptive responses and changes in the synergistic interactions of the four subsystems will be described later in this document. As evaluation procedures are validated, they will be reflected in the Clinical Application (Section VI) of this document. The interaction between the environment and subsystems maintaining spinal integrity are represented in Figure 1.

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