Polarity therapy
Encyclopedia
Polarity therapy is an alternative
energy medicine
system developed in the 1940s by Doctor Randolph Stone
. 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.
energy medicine
system, centered on the concept of a human energy field. 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, 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" and used esoteric language
(such as ki, ch'i, prana and life force) from spiritual traditions (especially mystic Christianity
, Ayurveda
, Taoism
, Hinduism
, Buddhism
, Sufism
and Yoga
) 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 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".
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.
medical literature about polarity therapy, although some physicians encourage polarity therapy or massage for possible short-term relaxation benefits.
There is no evidence to suggest the energy fields claimed to be manipulated by polarity therapy actually exists.
Avoiding or delaying medical care by using polarity therapy alone as a treatment for diseases such as cancer can lead to serious health problems.
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
energy medicine
Energy medicine
Energy medicine is one of five domains of "complementary and alternative medicine" identified by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States...
system developed in the 1940s by Doctor Randolph Stone
Randolph Stone
Randolph Stone , the founder of Polarity therapy, was born Rudolph Bautsch on 26 February 1890 in Engelsberg, Austria. The youngest of six children his mother died when he was two and at thirteen he emigrated to the United States with his father and one sister...
. 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.
Beliefs
Polarity therapy is an alternativeAlternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
energy medicine
Energy medicine
Energy medicine is one of five domains of "complementary and alternative medicine" identified by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States...
system, centered on the concept of a human energy field. 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, 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" and used esoteric language
Esotericism
Esotericism or Esoterism signifies the holding of esoteric opinions or beliefs, that is, ideas preserved or understood by a small group or those specially initiated, or of rare or unusual interest. The term derives from the Greek , a compound of : "within", thus "pertaining to the more inward",...
(such as ki, ch'i, prana and life force) from spiritual traditions (especially mystic Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, Taoism
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
, Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, Sufism
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
and Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
) to describe polarity therapy.
According to proponents, blockages in the flow of energy lead to pain and disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
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
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
exercises, counseling/positive thinking, and nutritional recommendations are claimed to enhance vitality.
Practice
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
Energy medicine
Energy medicine is one of five domains of "complementary and alternative medicine" identified by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States...
(similar to acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
meridians
Meridian (Chinese medicine)
The meridian is a path through which the life-energy known as "qi" is believed to flow, in traditional Chinese medicine. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.- Main concepts :...
, and marma points). The caduceus
Caduceus
The caduceus is the staff carried by Hermes in Greek mythology. The same staff was also borne by heralds in general, for example by Iris, the messenger of Hera. It is a short staff entwined by two serpents, sometimes surmounted by wings...
, 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".
Polarity therapy is often connected with other forms of alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
, such as Oriental medicine
Oriental medicine
Oriental medicine is a collective term for several types of medicine practiced in the Orient and/or the East.Under Oriental medicine is understood:* Traditional Chinese medicine* Traditional Korean medicine* Kampo...
, Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, craniosacral therapy
Craniosacral therapy
Craniosacral therapy is an alternative medicine therapy used by osteopaths, massage therapists, naturopaths, and chiropractors. A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient, which allows them to "tune into the craniosacral rhythm"...
, energy medicine
Energy medicine
Energy medicine is one of five domains of "complementary and alternative medicine" identified by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States...
and osteopathy
Osteopathy
Osteopathy and osteopathic medicine are often used interchangeably for the philosophy and system of alternative medical practice first proposed by A. T. Still MD, DO in 1874....
, 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.
Evidence
Claims about the effectiveness of polarity therapy in the treatment of cancer or any other condition is not supported by scientific evidence. There has been little published in peer-reviewedPeer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
medical literature about polarity therapy, although some physicians encourage polarity therapy or massage for possible short-term relaxation benefits.
There is no evidence to suggest the energy fields claimed to be manipulated by polarity therapy actually exists.
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.
See also
- Ayurvedic
- Craniosacral therapyCraniosacral therapyCraniosacral therapy is an alternative medicine therapy used by osteopaths, massage therapists, naturopaths, and chiropractors. A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient, which allows them to "tune into the craniosacral rhythm"...
- Energy medicineEnergy medicineEnergy medicine is one of five domains of "complementary and alternative medicine" identified by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States...
- KabbalahKabbalahKabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
- Meridian (Chinese medicine)Meridian (Chinese medicine)The meridian is a path through which the life-energy known as "qi" is believed to flow, in traditional Chinese medicine. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.- Main concepts :...
- Naturopathic
- Osteopathic
- Randolph StoneRandolph StoneRandolph Stone , the founder of Polarity therapy, was born Rudolph Bautsch on 26 February 1890 in Engelsberg, Austria. The youngest of six children his mother died when he was two and at thirteen he emigrated to the United States with his father and one sister...
- TheosophyTheosophyTheosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
- Vibrational MedicineVibrational medicineVibrational medicine is an alternative therapy based on the belief that illness is caused by energy imbalances.The concept is based on the premise that human bodies are made up of interconnected fields of putative energy and that when a human body is not well that it is the result of one or more...
Books
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 CRCS (1986) ISBN 978-1570670794
- Polarity Therapy Vol. II CRCS (1986) ISBN 978-0916360252
- Health-Building The Book Publishing Co. (1999) ISBN 978-1570670817