| Alternative medicine / fringe therapies | |
| Claims | Healing can be achieved through manipulation of complementary (or polarized) energies. |
|---|---|
| Related fields | Energy (esotericism), Energy medicine |
| Year proposed | 1940s |
| Original proponents | Randolph Stone |
| Subsequent proponents | Pierre Pannetier |
| See also | Reiki, Therapeutic touch |
| Energy medicine - edit |
|---|
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| NCCAM classifications |
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| See also |
Polarity therapy is an alternative energy medicine system developed in the 1940s by Doctor Randolph Stone.[1] It proposes that health benefits can be achieved through manipulation of complementary (or polarized) forces, a form of energy currently unknown to science. Little empirical evidence for the efficacy of this technique has been found and there is no empirical support for its underlying ideas.[1]
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Polarity therapy is an alternative energy medicine system, centered on the concept of a human energy field.[2] Advocates and practitioners of polarity therapy claim that this is an invisible and intangible energetic system is the substrate for all phenomena. Using touch, verbal interaction, exercise, nutrition and other methods,[3] practitioners of polarity therapy seek to balance and restore the natural flow of energy which, it is claimed, flows from the universe and into the body through the chakras. 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, ch'i, prana and life force) from spiritual traditions (especially mystic Christianity,[5] Ayurveda,[6] Taoism, Hinduism,[7] Buddhism,[8] Sufism and Yoga[9]) to describe polarity therapy.
According to proponents, blockages in the flow of energy lead to pain and disease or may be experienced as stuck emotions and lack of vitality. The aim is to re-establish "balance" or "correct" the energetic flow. In addition to polarity bodywork, specific polarity yoga exercises, counseling/positive thinking, and nutritional recommendations are claimed to enhance vitality.
Polarity therapists claim to work with the reciprocal, complementary or "polarized" forces, which they describe with the traditional Chinese words yin and yang. Although the concept of polarity implies two forces in opposition, these dualities are said by some to be mediated by a subtle third neutral factor, leading to the idea that phenomena are essentially triune in nature. In Ayurveda, the three factors are known as Rajas, Tamas, and Satva.
Polarity therapists claim to work with energetic patterns (similar to acupuncture meridians, and marma points). The caduceus, representative of the ida and pingala, is another aspect of the nadis/chakra system that is thought to be manipulated during certain types of polarity treatments. According to Stone, the purpose of life is "the fulfillment of consciousness".[10]
Polarity therapy is often connected with other forms of alternative medicine, such as Oriental medicine, Ayurveda, craniosacral therapy, energy medicine and osteopathy, which all attempt to explore the subtle energetic factors in health conditions from their particular cultural viewpoints. Many chiropractic, osteopathic, and cranial manipulations and naturopathic perspectives and techniques are explored in Stone's writings and diagrams.
Polarity therapy has four distinct areas of technique: touch, stretching and exercise, diet, and mental-emotional process.[8]
Claims about the effectiveness of polarity therapy in the treatment of cancer or any other condition is not supported by scientific evidence.[1][11] There has been little published in peer-reviewed medical literature about polarity therapy, although some physicians encourage polarity therapy or massage for possible short-term relaxation benefits.[11]
There is no evidence to suggest the energy fields claimed to be manipulated by polarity therapy actually exists.[11]
When used for relaxation, polarity therapy is generally thought to be safe if given by trained practitioners, although improperly performed techniques can cause injury.
Avoiding or delaying medical care by using polarity therapy alone as a treatment for diseases such as cancer can lead to serious health problems.[11]
Between 1947 and 1954, Stone published seven books describing polarity therapy principles and applications. These were subsequently consolidated into three volumes:[12]