Medical Nurbalism

This is an extension of the discussion in the idea linked below.

The vertebral column can be simplified into a curve which continuously changes direction in the anatomical position. Tangents can be placed at any point along this curve which corresponds to a chakra. I suggest that rather than worrying about whether chakras exist or not, they simply be defined as the points along the curvature of the spine where lines not intersecting that curvature are tangent to it. This curve can be described as a spline with "handles" (i haven't been able to find the technical term for these) where the chakras are. If the body moves, the spine can again be described similarly. This also applies to kyphosis, scoliosis and the effects of osteoporosis on the vertebral column.

The surface of the body, muscles and viscera can also be described as NURBSs. Muscle flexion and extension and the growth, movement and distension of the viscera can also be modelled as NURBSs. In the case of muscles, this could be useful for the diagnosis of poor usage leading to muscle strain, other muscle-related injuries, particularly in sports or exercise, or to diagnose various disorders such as various forms of arthritis or mononeuropathy. Atrophy resulting from various causes, such as cervical ribs, and pseudohypertrophy associated with muscular dystrophy, could also be detected. The same principle applies to breathing - asthma might be diagnosed in this way, and improved breathing technique could be trained using this kind of feedback. Early hypertrophy of accessory respiratory muscles is another possibility here. Minimal involvement of changes in chest shape and size could be used to detect emphysema and injuries to the pleura. It could also be applied to monitoring change in uterine size, allowing the early diagnosis of such conditions as molar pregnancy, oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios, small-for-dates pregnancies and gestational diabetes. Distinctions between different causes of abdominal distension could also be made, for instance ascites would be dependent, intestinal obstruction might involve changes in the shape of the abdomen which would allow the location of the obstruction and distinctions might be made between a tubal pregnancy and appendicitis.

Lipomas, mammary cysts and tumours might also be diagnosable without a mammogram or other scan in this way.

Where measurable quantities vary with the passage of time, a series of recordings at intervals may be interpolated to gain a fairly good estimate of the quantity in between the points when they are measured. This can be useful, for example, if the quantity exceeds a healthy, acceptable or safe limit at such a time but this is not measured - it could be concluded fairly reliably that this may take place even if not measured. It can also be calculated how long it takes for a remedy to reach a peak in the bloodstream in a particular individual by making similar measurements, though this is generally a fairly simple curve. Put these together and a dosage and time of administration can be found to head off a peak or trough of a particular nature which would be harmful, unacceptable or hazardous, thereby improving the targeting of such conditions as essential hypertension, insomnia or bipolar states.

Combine this with another factor which makes a difference and there is a similar three-dimensional graph with a surface rather than a line, on which critical points or windows of opportunity can be identified. Moreover, the patient's state may be manipulable into these areas of the surface concenred by timing, dosage and other non-pharmacological approaches to health.

I don't know how ambitious or realistic this is, but it's a thought. Maybe it won't work - this is the HB.