Among the many types of assists in Scientology is one which can straighten joints and the spine.

This is called a Nerve Assist.

Chiropractic spinal adjustment is often successful. But sometimes the spine goes out of place again and has to be adjusted time after time. The Nerve Assist was actually developed as a favor to chiropractors, many of whom now use it.

In our theory, it is nerves that hold the muscles tense, which then hold the spine out of place.

There are twelve big nerves which run down a person’s spine, spreading out from the spine across both sides of the shoulders and back. These twelve nerves branch out into smaller nerve channels and nerve endings. Nerves affect the muscles and can, if continually tensed, pull the spine and other parts of the body structure out of place.

Nerves carry the shock of impacts. Such a shock should dissipate, but it seldom does entirely. Nerves give orders to muscles. With an impact, a surge of energy starts down the nerve channels. Then, from the small ends of the nerve channels, the energy surge reverses and the result is a bulge of energy which stops midway along the channel. This gives what is called a “standing wave.” It is just standing there, not going anywhere.

The Nerve Assist consists of gently releasing the standing waves in the nerve channels of the body, improving communication with the body and bringing the being relief.

4. Now reverse the direction of your strokes so they go back up to the spine.

5. Now have the person turn over so he is lying face up. Using both hands, continue to parallel the nerve channels around to the front of the body.

(Note: In following the nerve channels around to the front of the body, stroke only as far as the points of the arrows in the bottom photograph below. The nerve channels being handled do not extend across the chest or abdomen, so stroking is not done across those areas.)