Polarity therapy
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Polarity Therapy is a form of alternative medicine developed by American Randolph Stone, who had studied osteopathy, chiropractic and naturopathyDO DC ND.
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[edit] Beliefs
Polarity therapy is a synthesis of ancient Eastern and alternative medicine health care ideas centered on the concept of a Human Energy Field.[1] Polarity Therapy concepts and methods were developed by Stone over the course of more than fifty years of practice and research including extensive worldwide travel. Using touch, verbal interaction, exercise, nutrition and other methods,[2] believers in Polarity Therapy seek to balance and restore the natural flow of subtle energy, which they believe exists and can be perceived. They believe this results in improved health and fitness on all levels.
Between 1947 and 1954, Stone published seven books describing Polarity Therapy principles and applications. These were subsequently consolidated into three volumes: Polarity Therapy Vol. I and Vol. II (CRCS, 1986), and Health-Building (The Book Publishing Co., 1999).Principles of Polarity Therapy:[3]
Proponents believe that energy precedes form. They believe a subtle, largely invisible energetic system to be the substrate for all phenomena, comparable to the electromagnetic bond between electron and proton that forms atoms. According to proponents, if the energetic flow is corrected and restored to its original design, the form will follow. Blockages in the flow of energy are claimed to lead to pain and disease. While an electromagnetic metaphor is often used, Stone emphasized that the energy concept had a larger context; he referred to it as the "Breath of Life"[4] and used esoteric language (such as ki, chi, prana and life force) from spiritual traditions (especially mystic Christianity[5], Ayurveda,[6] Taoism, Hinduism[7], Buddhism,[8] Sufism and Yoga[9] to describe its deep identity and implications.
Believers in Polarity therapy feel that reciprocal, complementary (polarized, hence the name of the therapy) forces, known as Yin and Yang. These dualities are said to be mediated by a subtle third neutral factor, leading to the idea that phenomena are essentially true in nature. In Ayurveda, the three factors are known as Rajas, Tamas, and Satva.
Polarity therapists may also be believers in chakras, reincarnation, karma and related esoteric spiritual ideas. According to Stone, the purpose of life is "the fulfillment of consciousness;"[10]
Believers in Polarity Therapy found New Age ideas about quantum physics concepts earlier than more recent believers such as followers of What the Bleep Do We Know?[11]
Polarity therapy has a mutually-supportive relationship with other forms of alternative medicine such as Oriental medicine, Ayurveda, Craniosacral therapy and Osteopathy, which all explore the subtle energetic factors in health conditions from their particular cultural viewpoints.
Polarity Therapy has four distinct areas of technique by which proponents believe energy can be sensed and changed: touch, exercise, diet, and mental-emotional process. Polarity practitioners registered with the American Polarity Therapy Association should be knowledgeable in all four areas. However, most practitioners tend to favor one area over others, so the work may vary considerably from one practitioner to another.
[edit] Research
Research supporting the validity of Polarity Therapy practice is not extensive or well-developed[12] however anecdotal reports and nascent research continues to keep and attract followers.[13]
Proponents believe their ideas about a human energy field to be validated by other believers in the paranormal such as Gary Schwartz.[14] However Schwartz's research is not widely accepted by other scientists.
[edit] References
- ^ Oschman, J.: Energy Medicine, The Scientific Basis, page 10. (Churchill Livingstone, 2000).
- ^ American Polarity Therapy Association: Standards for Practice (Fourth Edition), page 2. APTA, 2003.
- ^ Stone, R.: "Polarity Therapy, Vol. II", page 227 ff. CRCS, 1986.
- ^ Stone, R.: "Polarity Therapy Vol. I", page 2. CRCS, 1986.
- ^ Stone, R.: "The Mystic Bible." RSSB, 1956. Initially trained to be a Lutheran priest, Stone has dozens of Biblical references scattered throughout all his books.
- ^ Morningstar, A,: The Ayurvedic Guide to Polarity Therapy. Lotus Press, 2002. This presents Polarity concepts from the perspective of the Ayurvedic health care system
- ^ Burger, B.: Esoteric Anatomy. North Atlantic Books, 1998. This presents Polarity concepts including interpretations from a Hindu mythology perspective.
- ^ Sills, F.: The Polarity Process. North Atlantic, 2002. This gives presents Polarity concepts including interpretations from a Buddhist perspective.
- ^ Wehrli, K.: The Why in the Road. Earthlit Press, 2005.
- ^ Chitty, J. and Muller, M.L.: Energy Exercises, page 123-124. Polarity Press, 1990.
- ^ Stone, Polarity Therapy, Vol. I, pages 2,3. CRCS, 1986.
- ^ For example, see www.medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/hospitalsandservices/programs/services/?ID=1489
- ^ For example, see www.stronghealth.com/news/article.cfm?art_ID=358&serviceline=11.
- ^ Schwartz, G. & Russek, L.: "The Living Energy Universe," pages 274, 104. Hampton Roads, 1999.
