Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => Complementary Medicine => Topic started by: Ylide on 05/11/2003 10:06:13
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This came up in an older topic, but I'm tossing the idea around as something to do over the next summer.
I would like to investigate the biophysical activity (if any) that occurs when a practitioner of "energy" healing methods practices his/her art. I am specifically interested in reiki and qi gong, as those are the only two (in my mind) that bear even the slightest possibility of somehow being valid. I'm going into this with a healthy dose of skepticism, but being a former student of both reiki and qi gong (before I discovered science), I have to say "damn, it works" Now, wether it works due to psychosomatic effect or actual manipulation of energy in the body is another story. I have personally observed bizarre biological effects that I would like to investigate further. (from spontaneous healing to acts of inhuman ability)
I have several specific hypotheses in mind, but the theoretical background for them is quite lengthy, so I'll only go into on this board if someone requests.
First things first, I need a way to measure the electrical and magnetic fields of the human body, even if it's only in a localized area. Do any of you know of a technique for doing so?
Secondly, I would like suggestions for test controls. Obviously I would need to take the same measurements on non-practitioners and see if I can observe the same (if any) effects on their bodies when going through the same motions. What kind of numbers should I be aiming for? As many control subjects as test subjects? Twice as many? Half as many?
It's 3am and I need to go to bed, but I'd really like if any of you with an interest with biophysics, biochemistry, and/or alternative medicine have some input.
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Do you think a pet scan would help? Or maybe something with thermal imaging? People say they feel the heat from these treatments. Nurses have a course called "Healing Touch" that does the same stuff, and it's approved for our continuing education if we take a course in it. They move their hands over (not necessarily even touching) the afflicted area for healing. I went to one of the seminars and it all looked like psychic medicine to me but I'm not talented in those areas. However, the patients swore they could feel the heat from the practitioners hands even though they weren't touched. Don't know if it was power of suggestion or what, but some healings have been effected.
Bet one of the nursing societies would give help on this.
Bezoar
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I don't know anything about the medical aspects, but I'd be very interested to know more and /or even help with your research project. I've read some articles about these types of measurements, and I'll see if I can find them again.
Good luck and keep us informed!
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John
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"First things first, I need a way to measure the electrical and magnetic fields of the human body, even if it's only in a localized area. Do any of you know of a technique for doing so?"
I believe that's what Kirlian photography does.
"I am specifically interested in reiki and qi gong, as those are the only two (in my mind) that bear even the slightest possibility of somehow being valid."
You may want to check out the work (and books) done by Barbara Ann Brennan who was a research scientist for NASA. She teaches workshops on the Human Energy Field, Healing and Channelling in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
When I was a child I would talk about people's "colors"; green, yellow, blue. I was ridiculed and shut down my ability in order to "fit in". I've regained that vision, but it requires more effort.
Now I have the ability to put my hands on a person and see what's going on inside their bodies, like ultrasound. I can't "see" inside everyone, just some people (I suspect it's people with a body frequency close to mine). Sometimes I can "see" long distance, without touching the person. I can also change the energy flow, which alleviates pain, or sometimes fixes the problem. It's something I'm a bit reluctant to talk about since taking (10 years worth of) pain out of a woman's knee at work. She told everyone in the office and I soon had a lineup outside my door.
There are many healing modalities, each as good as the practitioner. Then again there is no "one size fits all". What works for some won't work for others.
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Bah, I just posted a big old post here responding to all your great suggestions and I am a dumbass and clicked a link before I posted and lost it. =(
To resummarize:
Bezoar: I'll look into thermal imaging first. That's a good suggestion. Ultimately I'd like to look for evidence of change in the electrical field lines in the body. I think finding some sort of electrical energy exchange is the key between energy healing and, as you say, the power of suggestion.
Donnah, I'll check out Ms Brennan's work...I've never heard of her before but it sounds like she might have some credibility. I understand exactly what you mean about feeling "problem" areas on peoples' bodies. When I practiced reiki, I could tell where someone is injured or sick by perceiving a change (what appears to be) a change in the rate of energy draw.
Tweener, I'd love to have some help on this. From your background, it looks like you're experienced in areas I'm a bit weak. (electr0-magnetic physics, optics) It may be next summer before I can put any real effort into it, but that doesn't stop me from planning in the mean time. Email me if you find something on quantitative measurement of fields in the body. Or if you just want to hear more about the direction I'm heading, experimentally. (This applies to any of you)
Thanks
-Jay
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The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)is a major international professional group (I used to be a member, when I was a real engineer) and sponsor several major peer reviewed journals. One of their societies specializes in biomedical engineering. I will try to do some research there on measurement techniques. Sometimes work gets in the way of fun stuff like this and really slows it down.
Also, there is a new member on the forum that posted today with an interest in this sort of thing. I don't know how to link to his post, but you'll probably see it.
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John
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John,
Cool, let me know what you find. Within the next week or so I'll post a more detailed set of hypotheses that I would like to investigate. I want to run a couple things by some people at the university first.
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