Francis X. Murphy, DC – Founder of OTZ and Developer of NSG
After nearly two decades of clinical investigation, thousands of patient encounters, and the progressive development of a systematic approach to structural correction, I propose the following hypothesis as the foundation of the Neuro-Skeletal Geometry (NSG) model:
The genesis of dysfunction in the human frame and nervous system begins with a loss of optimal orientation between the skull and the spine, specifically at the articulation of the occipital condyles and the superior articular facets of the atlas (C1).
This biomechanical disturbance alters the trajectory of the skull on the spinal column, initiating a neurologically-driven compensatory response throughout the musculoskeletal system. Due to the innate righting reflexes hardwired into human neurology—driven by vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive input—the body will reorganize itself in order to maintain what it perceives as a survivable head position in space.
In doing so, compensatory skeletal patterns emerge. These patterns, while effective at stabilizing orientation, lead to predictable zones of muscular tension, structural distortion, and—critically—neurological compromise.
The second foundational concept of this hypothesis lies in the proximity of these compensatory skeletal configurations to vital neurological structures. As bones shift and posture adapts, the architecture surrounding the brainstem, spinal cord, and autonomic ganglia is altered. In these regions, neural facilitation, inhibition, or both may occur, creating a functional cascade across multiple systems of the body.
Just as a shifted foundation compromises the plumbing and electrical systems of a home, a shifted skeletal base disrupts the delicate infrastructure of the nervous system. Over the past 20 years, I have repeatedly observed reproducible patterns of dysfunction that correlate skeletal distortion with neurological impairment. This clinical consistency supports the theory that restoring proper skeletal geometry is a necessary precursor to restoring normal neurological function.
NSG, as a system of discovery and correction, is uniquely designed to identify these relationships through structural analysis, palpation, and functional neurology. It maps the interface between postural distortions and predictable neurological outcomes.
Thus, the hypothesis is simple but profound:
It is illogical—and clinically insufficient—to attempt correction of neurological dysfunction without first addressing the underlying skeletal changes that drive and sustain it.
NSG does not propose to treat the nervous system in isolation, nor does it claim to treat conditions directly. Instead, it aims to restore the primary architectural integrity of the human frame, knowing that when the structure is aligned and stable, the nervous system is finally free to function without interference.
