Revision 471459126 of "Polarity therapy" on enwiki

{{Energy therapy}}
'''Polarity therapy''' is an [[alternative medicine|alternative ]] [[energy medicine]] system developed in the 1940s by Doctor [[Randolph Stone]].<ref name=InteliHealth>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/34968/358862.html |title=Polarity |accessdate=2008-12-27 |date=2008-04-29 |publisher=Natural Standard }}</ref> It proposes that health benefits can be achieved through manipulation of complementary (or polarized) forces, a form of [[energy (esotericism)|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.<ref name=InteliHealth />

==Beliefs==
Polarity therapy is an [[alternative medicine|alternative ]] [[energy medicine]] system, centered on the concept of a [[Energy (esotericism)|human energy field]].<ref name="Oschman">Oschman, J.: Energy Medicine, The Scientific Basis, page 10. (Churchill Livingstone, 2000).</ref> 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,<ref>American Polarity Therapy Association: Standards for Practice (Fourth Edition), page 2. APTA, 2003.</ref> practitioners of polarity therapy seek to balance and restore the natural flow of energy which, it is claimed,{{Who|date=December 2008}} 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"<ref>Stone, R.: "Polarity Therapy Vol. I", page 2. CRCS, 1986.</ref> and used [[esotericism|esoteric language]] (such as ''ki'', ''ch'i'', ''prana'' and ''life force'') from spiritual traditions (especially mystic [[Christianity]], [[Ayurveda]],<ref>Morningstar, A,: The Ayurvedic Guide to Polarity Therapy. Lotus Press, 2002.{{pn|date=November 2011}} This presents Polarity concepts from the perspective of the Ayurvedic health care system{{fact|date=November 2011}}</ref> [[Taoism]], [[Hinduism]],<ref>Burger, B.: Esoteric Anatomy. North Atlantic Books, 1998.{{pn|date=November 2011}}</ref> [[Buddhism]], [[Sufism]] and [[Yoga]]<ref>Wehrli, K.: The Why in the Road. Earthlit Press, 2005.{{pn|date=November 2011}}</ref>) 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 employed.<ref name="sills" >Sills, F.: The Polarity Process. North Atlantic, 2002. p.xii-xiii</ref>

==Practice==

Polarity therapists claim to work with the reciprocal, complementary or "polarized" forces, which they describe with the traditional Chinese words yin and yang.{{fact|date=November 2011}} Although the concept of polarity implies two forces in opposition, these dualities are said by some{{who|date=November 2011}} to be mediated by a subtle third neutral factor, leading to the idea that phenomena are essentially triune in nature.{{fact|date=November 2011}} In Ayurveda, the three factors are known as ''Rajas'', ''Tamas'', and ''Satva''.{{fact|date=November 2011}}

Polarity therapists claim to work with [[energy medicine|energetic patterns]] (similar to [[acupuncture]] [[Meridian (Chinese medicine)|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.{{fact|date=November 2011}} According to Stone, the purpose of life is "the fulfillment of consciousness".<ref>Chitty, J. and Muller, M.L.: Energy Exercises, page 123-124. Polarity Press, 1990.</ref>

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.<ref name="sills" />

==Evidence==

Claims about the effectiveness of polarity therapy in the treatment of cancer or any other condition is not supported by scientific evidence.<ref name=InteliHealth /><ref name=ACS>{{cite web|title=Polarity Therapy|url=http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/ManualHealingandPhysicalTouch/polarity-therapy|publisher=American Cancer Society|accessdate=15 November 2011}}</ref> There has been little published in [[peer review|peer-reviewed]] medical literature about polarity therapy, although some physicians encourage polarity therapy or massage for possible short-term relaxation benefits.<ref name=ACS/>

There is no evidence to suggest the energy fields claimed to be manipulated by polarity therapy actually exists.<ref name=ACS/>

==Safety==

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.<ref name= ACS/>

==See also==
* [[Ayurvedic]]
* [[Craniosacral therapy]]
* [[Energy medicine]]
* [[Kabbalah]]
* [[Meridian (Chinese medicine)]]
* [[Naturopathic]]
* [[Osteopathic]]
* [[Randolph Stone]]
* [[Theosophy]]
* [[Vibrational Medicine]]

==Books==
Between 1947 and 1954, Stone published seven books describing polarity therapy principles and applications. These were subsequently consolidated into three volumes:<ref>Stone, R.: "Polarity Therapy, Vol. II", page 227 ff. CRCS, 1986.</ref> 

*''Polarity Therapy Vol. I'' CRCS (1986)  ISBN 978-1570670794
*'' Polarity Therapy Vol. II'' CRCS (1986)  ISBN 978-0916360252
*''Health-Building'' The Book Publishing Co. (1999) ISBN 978-1570670817

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/massage.html QuackWatch page on Massage Therapies]
* [http://www.polaritytherapy.org/ American Polarity Therapy Association]
* [http://www.ukpta.org.uk/ UK Polarity Therapy Association]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Polarity Therapy}}
[[Category:Energy therapies]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]

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