3/22/2018 How the Nervo-Scope and Similar Heat-Detection Devices Are Used to Sell Unnecessary Chiropractic Treatment

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How the Nervo-Scope and Similar Heat-Detection Devices

Are Used to Sell Unnecessary Chiropractic Treatment
Stephen Barrett, M.D.

Heat-detection has played a significant role in chiropractic's search for its elusive "subluxation." A 1990
chiropractic monograph on thermography states that D.D. Palmer used the back of his hand to locate "hot boxes"
along the spinal column in an effort to detect differences in surface temperature from one side to the other. The
authors observed that "this technique, although subjective and unreliable owing to the variable sensitivity of the
diagnosing physician, has been taught to chiropractic students since the birth of the profession." [1]

Chiropractic's developer B.J. Palmer became enamored with the "neurocalometer," a device invented in 1924 by
Dossa D. Evans, D.C..and developed by Otto Schiernbeck, a consulting engineer on the staff of Palmer College
of Chiropractic [2]. The device had two heat-detecting probes (thermocouples) connected to a meter that
registered whether points on either side of the spine had different temperatures. In a 1961 book, he stated:

The Neurocalometer was invented and has been developed on the postulate that a subluxated
vertebrae causes pressures on a nerve or group of nerves as they pass through or emit from spinal
column. The instrument has taken that principle out of the field of theory and placed it strictly in the
realm of science. In other words, it has furnished proof the principle is correct.

The instrument not only shows when pressure is present, but whether it has been completely or
partially eliminated as a result of the Chiropractic adjustment of the causative vertebra. When a
vertebra is subluxated, it causes pressure on the surrounding tissues of a nerve or a bundle of nerves
and this causes resistance to flow of nerve energy. This resistance in turn causes heat at that point, as
heat is produced when resistance is added in a circuit carrying electricity. Neurocalometer is so
sensitive and so constructed with thermocouple detectors and galvanometer that it registers heat and
records it as so many points, or units, on the dial. It makes comparative heat readings of the spinal
area [2].

In the original version, a long cord connected the hand-held thermocouple portion to a meter housed in a walnut
box. In later models, the meter was housed in the hand-held device. B.J. espoused (and insisted upon leasing) the
device so vigorously that many of his supporters became alienated [3].

Later Version of
Original Neurocalometer Nervo-Scope
Neurocalometer
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3/22/2018 How the Nervo-Scope and Similar Heat-Detection Devices Are Used to Sell Unnecessary Chiropractic Treatment

In the late 1950s, researchers from the Stanford Research Institute surveyed chiropractors in California and
concluded that about 12% used a neurocalometer and that it was commonly referred to as a "nerve meter." The
researchers also tested the instrument and found that the readings were greatly influenced by how hard the
thermocouples were pressed against the skin [4].

The Nervo-Scope, a neurocalometer descendant, contains a battery, a meter, and thermocouples at the end of its
twin probes. Its findings can be recorded by connecting the device to a strip-chart recorder. During the 1970s,
one supplier's catalog said that the device was "taking its place alongside the x-ray in importance" [5]. However,
a chiropractic monograph stated that "unreliability and lack of scientific documentation" have prevented
widespread use of heat detectors in chiropractic practice [1]. A 1993 Canadian chiropractic consensus
conference concluded that paraspinal measurement with thermocouple devices "has not been shown to have
good discriminability, and both their validity and reliability of measurement are highly doubtful." [6] This is a
politically correct way of saying that the devices are clinically worthless.

Current Use

Despite their questionable value, these thermocouple devices remain popular among subluxation-based
chiropractors and several models are still marketed [7,8]. Electronics Developments Lab (EDL), of Danville,
Virginia, which currently charges $590 for its ETS-6 model with carrying case, states:

Nervo-Scope is used and respected for its EFFECTIVE Spinal Analysis, by the Leading and
Successful CLINICS, COLLEGES, SEMINARS, and Thousands of CHIROPRACTORS . . . Since
1943. . . .

Nervo-Scope detects subluxations . . . and provides the Reliable PRE and POST Adjustment
Readings, that Produce the Most Beneficial Patient Results. . . .

Nervo-Scope will quickly pay for itself in under One year. If you use Nervo-Scope on ONLY 8
patients per day . . . your Cost per Patient, for TOTAL PAY BACK, is only 25 Cents Per Patient for
One Year, is the Benefits, which you receive from SATISFIED PATIENTS and CONTINUAL
REFERRALS. . . .

Nervo-Scope is an AUTOMATIC PRACTICE-BUILDER [8].

EDL also markets the ANALAGRAPH, a box-shaped strip-chart recorder that prints out a continuous recording
that resembles the strip of an electrocardiogram. When its 15-foot cable is plugged into the Model ETS-7 Nervo-
Scope, the device "monitors temperature differentials as small as 0.032ºF." [8] The two instruments purchased
together cost $2,225. EDL's current flyer states:

Accurate Spinal Analysis requires you to make decisions. With the ANALAGRAPH you can take
the guess work out. Now you will be able to compare Pre-check readings against your Post-check
readings. Now, you can accurately determine Patterns, and see when Check-out has occurred [sic].
ANALAGRAPH makes it Easy to see Subluxations that might otherwise have been totally missed
[8].

A widely used chiropractic pediatrics textbook even advises that Nervoscope devices are useful for examining
newborns. The book states:

The purpose of skin temperature analysis (e.g. Temp-o-scope, Nervoscope) is to obtain objective
neurological evidence of a vertebral subluxation complex [VSC]. . . .

The method for conducting the exam is dynamic scanning. A bilateral skin temperature difference is
depicted as meter needle movement to one side or the other. The "reading" . . . is considered
significant if an abrupt "over and back" needle movement is seen over a one spinal segment
distance. The amount of the temperature differential is thought to be directly proportional to the
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3/22/2018 How the Nervo-Scope and Similar Heat-Detection Devices Are Used to Sell Unnecessary Chiropractic Treatment

amount of neurophysiolgic involvement due to the presence of VSC. The spinal subluxation in the
acute stage often reveals a large variation in temperature. . . . Monitoring the intersegmental heat
differential is one of several parameters of assessing and gauging patient progress in response to
specific spinal adjusting [9].

References

1. Christiansen J, Gerow G. Thermography. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1990.

2. Palmer BJ. Neurocalometer research. In Palmer BJ. Our Masterpiece (1961), pp 89-93. Republished by
Kale Foundation, Spartansburg, N.C., 1993.
3. Wardwell WI. Chiropractic: History and Evolution of a New Profession. St. Louis: Mosby Year Book,
1992.
4. Stanford Research Institute. Chiropractic in California. Los Angeles, CA: The Haynes Foundation; 1960:
pp 71-72.
5. The Complete Catalog of Chiropractic Literature and Supplies. Austell, GA: Si-Nel Publishing & Sales
Co., 1971.
6. Henderson D and others. Clinical Guidelines for Chiropractic Practice in Canada. Toronto: Canadian
Chiropractic Association, 1994.
7. Chiropractic Equipment and Supply Catalog. Mt. Horeb, WI: Gonstead Seminar of Chiropractic, 1997.
8. Nervo-Scope: Performance proven practice builder. Model ETS-6. Undated flyer, distributed Nov 1998 by
Electronic Development Labs, Danville, Virginia.
9. Anrig CA. Spinal examination and specific spinal and pelvic adjustments. In Anrig CA, Plaugher G
editors. Pediatric Chiropractic. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1998, pp 323-423.

Photo of "brain stem specialist" doing "skin temperature differential analysis"

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This article was revised on May 18 2008.

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