NET - Neuro Emotional Technique

Presentation

The Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) is a method developed in 1988 by Scott Walker, an American chiropractor (DC). It rests on a major clinical discovery: unresolved emotions are not confined to the psyche but physically inscribe themselves in the body as dysfunctional neuromuscular patterns, primarily located along the spine and associated organs.

Walker observed that certain chiropractic adjustments would not hold despite adequate structural correction. He discovered that recurrences were often linked to an untreated emotional component "locking" the vertebral segment in dysfunction. This led him to develop an integrative system combining chiropractic, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and applied kinesiology principles.

The central concept is the NEC (Neuro Emotional Complex), a pathological conditioned response linking a specific emotion to a bodily dysfunction. When an emotion is experienced under physical, chemical or emotional overload, it can become "stuck" in the body, creating a NEC that behaves like a conditioned reflex.

NET has gained scientific credibility through fMRI studies conducted at the University of Oxford, showing measurable changes in brain activation patterns after NET correction — placing it among the few emotional kinesiology techniques with brain imaging evidence.

Core Principles

The Neuro Emotional Complex (NEC): a neurophysiological feedback loop where an unresolved emotion maintains a vertebral segment in functional subluxation, and reciprocally, the subluxation sustains the dysfunctional emotional response.

Five Elements and emotions: NET integrates TCM five element theory associating each organ with a specific emotion: Kidney → Fear, Liver → Anger, Heart → Joy (excess or deficiency), Spleen → Worry/Rumination, Lung → Sadness/Grief. Each organ connects to specific vertebral segments via the autonomic nervous system.

Muscle testing as diagnostic tool: the practitioner uses muscle testing to identify the active NEC, testing emotional categories then refining to the precise emotion, organ involved and vertebral segment.

Neuro-emotional correction: the patient reconnects with the identified emotion while the practitioner applies a specific correction to the involved vertebral segment, simultaneously "unlooping" the NEC.

Neurovascular access points: specific pulse points corresponding to TCM meridian pulses are held during correction, facilitating energy rebalancing.

Technical Sheet

Full Name

Neuro Emotional Technique (NET)

Creator

Scott Walker, DC

Year Created

1988

Origin

United States

Theoretical Bases

Chiropractic, Traditional Chinese Medicine (5 elements), Applied Kinesiology, Pavlovian conditioning

Diagnostic Tools

Muscle testing, vertebral palpation, meridian pulses

Correction Method

Specific vertebral adjustment + emotional recall + pulse points

Correction Duration

5 to 20 minutes per NEC

Session Duration

45 to 75 minutes

Scientific Validation

fMRI studies (University of Oxford) showing changes in brain activation patterns

Training Required

Certified NET seminars (levels 1, 2, 3)

Main Indications

• Chronic recurring pain despite adequate structural corrections
• Somatizations: emotions expressed through the body
• Anxiety and panic attacks with identifiable physical component
• Specific phobias with marked physiological reaction
• Functional digestive disorders linked to emotional stress
• Tension headaches and recurring migraines
• Sleep disorders associated with emotional rumination
• Allergic reactions with emotional component
• Compulsive or addictive behaviors with emotional anchoring
• Complicated grief with somatic manifestations
• Post-traumatic stress with bodily symptoms
• Repetitive relationship difficulties with automatic bodily reactions

Session Process

A NET session typically lasts 45 to 75 minutes. It begins with a detailed clinical interview gathering the patient's history and current complaints, both physical and emotional. The practitioner then uses muscle testing to identify an active NEC.

Emotion identification follows the TCM five element system: each emotional category is tested to identify the organ and emotion involved, then refined to the precise emotion. The vertebral location is determined through palpation and muscle testing correlation.

Through temporal recession, the practitioner identifies the originating age and event. During correction, the patient reconnects with the emotion while holding specific pulse points as the practitioner applies a targeted vertebral adjustment. This triple simultaneous action "unloops" the NEC.

A post-test verifies effectiveness: the patient recalls the issue and the indicator muscle should remain strong. The session concludes with recommendations and follow-up planning.

Variations and Sub-techniques

• Classic NET: full protocol with NEC identification, temporal recession, vertebral correction and pulse points
• NET Home Run Formula: expanded version integrating four health components (emotional, toxic/chemical, structural, nutritional)
• Pediatric NET: adaptation for children with simplified protocols
• NET by surrogation: using a surrogate for testing persons who cannot be tested directly
• First Aid Stress Tool (FAST): self-care technique derived from NET for managing stress peaks between sessions
• Chiropractic-integrated NET: systematic complement to chiropractic adjustments

Contraindications

• Vertebral fractures or spinal ligamentous instability
• Severe osteoporosis at the targeted vertebral segment
• Severe unstabilized psychiatric disorders
• Spinal tumors or metastases
• Acute vertebral infections (spondylodiscitis)
• Suicidal or dissociative crisis requiring emergency psychiatric care
• Absence of informed consent
• Does not replace medical diagnosis for organic pain
• Vertebral corrections must only be performed by qualified practitioners