Introduction
A 41-year-old male by
the name of Mahendra Kumar Trivedi (referred
to as Guruji) presented with a 10-year
history of back pain and unusual subjective,
sensory experiences including visual,
proprioceptive and auditory changes. These
changes were gradual and without history
of trauma. He reported that he has always
been a healthy person, is a vegetarian,
doesn't smoke, drink alcohol or participate
in any form of exercise. His history revealed
an injury to his left knee in 1991 and
mild allergies. This male reported having
a spiritual experience in November 1994
and noticed these physical changes since
that time. He also reported that during
the last 10 years he has traveled to 35
countries as a Metaphysical Psycho spiritual
Preacher and has blessed thousands of
people through prayer and by touching
his hand on a person's head. He stated
that these blessings have had a profound
and at times almost instantaneous beneficial
effect on the recipient's physical and/or
emotional ailments.
I have been a Chiropractor
and Craniosacral Therapist for 10 years
and have treated more than 6000 patients.
I specialize in somato-emotional release
through craniosacral therapy (CST) and
pediatric CST. I am a fellow of the International
Chiropractic Pediatric Association and
practice chiropractic and CST in British
Columbia , CANADA . I have spoken with
many people in CANADA and INDIA who have
received a blessing from Mr. Trivedi (Guruji)
and there is a common subjective experience
of long-term change and relief. Of interest
is not only the process of how these men
and women from various cities, countries
and socioeconomic backgrounds are obtaining
relief through the blessing, but also
the man himself who is doing this work.
As a clinician using scientifically and
statistically proven methods in my practice,
I am continually baffled when patients
do not get the results I expect and I
am always searching for more tools to
help those that come through my door.
However, like all health care practitioners,
I recognize my limits and acknowledge
that there is a way for people to access
health and happiness that has yet to be
understood by modern medical science.
I have taken this opportunity to assess
this unique man and I have spoken with
other scientists about Mr. Trivedi's (Guruji's)
highly unusual physical findings, namely
Dr.David Chu and Harold Finkleman of CANADA
as well as Dr. Brian Costello (Chairman
of the International Council of Integrative
Medicine) in Australia, and we are collaborating
on a multi-disciplinary study of Mr. Trivedi
(Guruji).
I performed a complete chiropractic and
cranial-sacral examination on three occasions
in June 2004, each exam was approximately
one week apart, while Mr. Trivedi (Guruji)
was in Nelson, British Columbia (BC) CANADA
for 20 days. There was no treatment given
between examinations other than relaxation
massage therapy. Each time he was examined
the findings were the same. While he was
in Nelson, BC, Mr. Trivedi (Guruji) was
interviewed on a healthcare radio show,
which created a great deal of interest
amongst the local health care practitioners.
Craniosacral Examination
The craniosacral system (CS)
is a hydraulic system in which pressure
changes occur as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
moves from the cranium to the sacrum in
cycles which are independent of the heart
and respiratory rhythms. The flow of the
CSF brings nutrients to the neural tissue
and is contained by the meninges. The
meninges are firmly attached to each cranial
bone and at the second cervical vertebrae
then have no osseous attachment again
until the sacrum and coccyx, where it
is once again firmly attached. The movement
of the CSF and the pressure changes result
in small movements of the skeleton most
easily felt at the cranium and the sacrum.
"The craniosacral (CS)
system is characterized by rhythmic, mobile
activity which persists throughout life.it
is distinctly different from the physiological
motions which are related to breathing,
and different from cardiovascular activity
as well. The anatomical parts of the CS
system are:
• The meningeal membranes
• The osseous structures to
which the meningeal membranes attach
• The other non-osseous connective
tissue structures which are intimately
related to meningeal membranes
• The cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF)
• All structures related to
production, reabsorption and containment
of the CSF
The CS system is intimately related to,
influences, and is influenced:
1. The nervous system
2. The musculoskeletal system
3. The vascular system
4. The lymphatic system
5. The endocrine system
6. The respiratory system
Abnormalities in the
structure or function of any of these
systems may influence the CS system. Abnormalities
in the structure or function of the CS
system will necessarily have profound
and frequently deleterious effects upon
the development or function of the nervous
system, especially in the brain." (Craniosacral
therapy, Dr. John Upledger and Jon Vredevoogd,
Eastland Press, Seattle USA, 1983 pp.
5-6)
The cranial-sacral system was examined for
rate, amplitude and quality.
Dr. Upledger describes normal motion
as:
"A gentle rocking motion
about a transverse axis located approximately
one inch anterior to the second sacral
segment. The rocking motion of the sacrum
correlates rhythmically to a broadening
and narrowing of the transverse dimension
of the head. As the head widens, the sacral
apex moves in an anterior direction. This
phase of motion is referred to, as flexion
the counterpart of flexion is extension
during the flexion phase of the craniosacral
motion cycle; the whole body externally
rotates and broadens. During the extension
phase, the body internally rotates and
seems to narrow slightly."
The normal rate of the cranial sacral
rhythm is 6-12 cycles per minute. In a
pathological state, the slowest rhythm
I have ever felt is 3 cycles per minute,
which is similar to the findings of Dr.
Upledger in comatose patients. The rate
of the craniosacral rhythm in this male
was one cycle every 50-80 seconds. This
finding was so highly unusual that I measured
it several times and at various locations
for confirmation.
Throughout the system, the craniosacral
rhythm, also referred to as the pulse,
was the strongest and fullest I have ever
experienced. The flexion phase lasted
longer than the extension phase in all
locations on his body, approximately 35
seconds at the cranium and 15 seconds
at the sacrum. In the cranium and the
sacrum, there were 5 stages of flexion
with a brief pause between each phase
before the movement of the bones continued.
Normally, the craniosacral pulse, felt
as movement of the bone, narrows where
the sacrum meets the coccyx. In this male,
the movement of the sacrum was felt over
a broader area than normal, even inferiorly
where the sacrum meets the coccyx; the
sensation of movement from CSF flow spread
laterally and toward the pelvic floor.
When his extremities were assessed for
external and internal rotation, which
corresponds to the flexion and extension
phases of the craniosacral rhythm, I found
a superior and inferior movement on both
sides in the legs and the arms, similar
to the movement at the spinal cord.
When the individual cranial bones were
assessed there were abnormal findings
at the temporal, occipital and sphenoid
bones. Normally, each cranial bone has
its own movement pattern and should move
freely and independent of the other bones.
However, in this case the bones stated
above were moving in a unique axis that
I have not felt before. Also, the temporal
and occipital bones were appearing to
move as one unit. I also noted that there
were two points on each side of his head
that did not correlate with sutures, which
were very soft and had a separate rate,
amplitude and erratic behavior from the
rest of the cranium.
Chiropractic
Examination
Standing posture showed a high
left occipital (skull) base, acromial-clavicular
(shoulder) joint, and iliac crest (hip)
compared to the right side. This configuration
remained when he was kneeling but improved
when he was sitting. He had a pronounced
lumbar lordosis and flattening of the
thoracic kyphosis. From the front, there
was an abnormal amount of movement of
the hyoid bone on the front of the throat
when he spoke or swallowed.
Palpation of the cervical spine (neck)
revealed a step defect at approximately
C7, giving the impression that one of
the cervical vertebrae had slipped anteriorly
(forward) on the vertebrae below. The
cervical paraspinal muscles (back of the
neck) and all anterior cervical muscles
(front of the neck) were very supple and
had lower tone than is normal according
to my experience. The grade of muscle
tone was similar to someone with a spinal
cord injury in the neck. Ranges of motion
in the cervical spine were normal, however
during side bending he was able to drop
his ear to his shoulder on both sides,
which is beyond the normal physiological
range of motion. Palpation of the upper
cervical vertebrae was difficult because
the lateral masses of the first cervical
vertebrae and the transverse processes
of the second cervical vertebrae were
deeply embedded in the soft tissues. However,
the soft tissues were not fatty, hypertonic
muscles or inflamed.
Palpation of the upper thoracic (middle
back) spine revealed abnormally little
motion of the upper ribs with deep breathing
even when requested to take a breath using
this part of the rib cage. At the level
of the mid to lower scapula (shoulder
blade) the ribs were difficult to palpate
and the intercostals spaces were further
apart than normal. Palpation of the costo-sternal
(rib to breastbone) juncture revealed
very little joint play compared to normal
and had a hard end feel extending laterally
(out from the mid line) beyond the normal
anatomical borders of the sternum (breastbone).
The paraspinal muscles along each side
of the vertebrae in the lower thoracic
and lumbar (low back) spine were very
well developed and had normal muscle tone.
These paraspinal muscles were broader
than normal and also very thick. To palpate
the spinous processes of the vertebrae
at these levels required pressing approximately
2-3 cm into the mid-line between the muscles
on each side, which is unusual in my experience.
This was most pronounced at the lower
thoracic and upper lumbar spine and made
it very difficult to determine specific
landmarks. Stretch marks on his skin extended
laterally as far as the mid-axillary line
and spanned from approximately T10-L4.
Palpation of the sacro-iliac joints revealed
abnormally little motion during stationary
marching, forward and side-bending compared
to other males of his age. There was also
a minimal amount of coordinated action
at L5 with the sacro-iliac joints as he
performed these movements. There were
stretch marks on the inferior and lateral
aspects of the skin over the gluteal and
the lateral hip muscles on both sides.
Examination of his legs revealed low tone
of the calf muscles, similar to the tone
of the cervical spine. There was excellent
flexibility in the quadriceps and normal
flexibility in the hamstrings. The tone
of the quadricep and hamstring muscles,
as well as the paraspinal muscles, was
described by Jennifer Hayley, a registered
massage therapist in Calgary , CANADA
who saw this man on several occasions.
"His muscles are very toned, like a body
that has been exercised a lot. But his
muscles are also very supple and fluid.
There were no adhesions, fibrous tissue
or congestion in the soft tissues. I have
worked on many world class athletes and
I have never worked on muscles like his.
The texture of the muscles, tendons and
ligaments was unique and reminded me of
what the muscles and bones of a small
child feel like. The quadriceps muscles,
in particular, had a rubbery quality yet
were very firm and long, like a dancer.
The ligaments were also supple and had
a rubbery, fluid-like quality. His feet
also had this fluid quality as did his
scalp and the muscles of his face."
I agree with her findings about the suppleness
and rubbery, fluid-like quality of the
soft-tissues that I palpated. I also described
in my notes how the muscle/tendon/ligament
and bone complexes had the texture and
quality of a child's skeleton.
When the joints of the extremities were
examined obvious stretch marks were observed
at the shoulders, lateral (outer) aspect
of the hips, supra-patellar (knees) and
inferior and lateral aspect of the quadriceps
(thighs). Mild marks were found at the
wrists, elbows and on one finger on the
left hand. He reported that all of these
stretch marks have appeared in the last
10 years. The second toe on each foot
was curved laterally, had stiffness and
minimal joint play. The fifth finger on
each hand was abducted away from the other
fingers and holding it next to the fourth
finger caused pain. He reported that these
changes have also occurred in the last
10 years.
While he was in a supine position I also
observed some unusual breathing patterns.
There was very little movement of the
upper ribs during inhalation or exhalation
however; there was a sucking in movement
of the skin with inhalation and release
during exhalation above the clavicles
(collarbones), below the mandible (jaw)
and in the axilla (armpit). This was observed
for approximately 5 minutes on more than
one instance for verification.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Mr. Mahendra Kumar
Trivedi (Guruji) has some highly unusual
structural and functional findings. Clinically,
any one of these findings may not hold
relevance. However, when all are considered
in the context of his spiritual experience
and the last 10 years of traveling around
the world as a Metaphysical Psycho spiritual
Preacher, there may be a link between
his unique physical body and the profound
phenomenon of others improving their physical,
mental and spiritual health. As the public
and health care practitioners explore
more alternative health practices, such
as prayer, our team of doctors including
Dr. David Chu and Harold Finkleman of
CANADA; myself, Dr. Lori Croteau of CANADA,
and Dr. Brian Costello of AUSTRALIA, believe
that the study of Mr. Trivedi's (Guruji's)
structure, physiology and neurology combined
with the study of what occurs in his body
and the bodies of those he blesses, during
and after, can help modern science understand,
clarify and quantify this ancient and
widespread practice of achieving physical,
mental and spiritual health through the
induction of prayer and divine powers.
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