Neurogenic switching is a phenomenon in which the parasympathetic, sympathetic, or both systems are operating opposite to what is necessary for optimum function.  The best way to determine if switching is present is to use a Heart Rate Variability test with the patient in both the lying and standing positions, just as in the blocking test.  Actually, this test will check for both blocking and switching at the same time.  In neurogenic switching, instead of the parasympathetic nervous system going down from lying to standing it goes up.  In essence, it regulates in the opposite direction of what it is supposed to do; hence, the term switching.  This is also called parasympathetic up regulation.  If, on the other hand, the sympathetic nervous system goes down from the lying to the standing position instead of going up, this is referred to as sympathetic down regulation or switching.  Both the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems may also do the opposite of what they are supposed to do, and this is called a double switch.

I think of switching as being the presence of a short circuit just as in the blocking short circuit.  This needs to be corrected before the ‘analyzer’ will properly function.  Just as with blocked regulation, neurogenic switching has its clinical implications.  Unlike blocking, switching will cause the patient to react adversely to his clinical program.  Even though the correct program may have been given to the patient, he will react incorrectly to it.  For instance, the patient’s condition will appear to worsen.  This is a good sign that switching is present and therefore the astute practitioner will look for it.

Just as with blocking, switching will also skew the results of the reflex analysis, so it is very important that any switching be corrected before moving on to the next step.  So, if someone is going along and improving, and suddenly his program is not working and he appears to be getting worse, it is time to check to see if he is switched.  Once switching is found to be present, and the malfunctioning circuit is identified and corrected, the program will start to work again.

There are 108 different switching ‘circuits’ so the best way to check for switching is by using the heart rate variability instrumentation to detect its presence.  Once it is found, the practitioner can proceed to check the 108 circuits to find the switch and fix it.  Only two switching circuits are taught in the Basic Course but these two circuits usually account for switching about 80% of the time.

Just as a weak muscle and a regulation block is corrected by testing against the five major stressors, so it is with neurogenic switching.  Most of the time, the trouble is caused by one or more of these stressors.  If the malfunction is not found among these common stressors then advanced skills are required to handle the situation.

The skill set of finding and correcting for blocking and switching is only taught in Nutrition Response Testing.  Once these second and third foundational pillars (the first is obtaining a locked muscle) are correctly handled, the ‘analyzer’ is now able to function correctly, and can be used to perform the next step of the procedure which is the reflex analysis.