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In this blend of Western therapies, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, well-being is said to be the result of an unobstructed flow of "life energy" around the body. This energy corresponds in nature to qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine and prana in Ayurveda, and is thought to move in currents around the body between positive and negative poles. Practitioners aim to rebalance or restore energy flow by means of touch, nutritional advice, exercise, and counseling. The therapy is well established in the US and growing in Europe.
MAIN USES
Migraines.
Fatigue, lethargy, etc.
Menopausal problems, PMS.
Stress.
Allergies.
Digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Back pain.
Arthritis.
MoonDragon's Health & Wellness Index: Disorders, Therapy & Nutrition
HISTORY
Polarity therapy was developed in the late 19th century by Dr. Randolph Stone, who was born in Austria, but spent his working life in the US as a naturopath, osteopath, and chiropractor. In search of a unifying healing principle, he studied Eastern medical traditions and came to the conclusion that all pain or illness is due to an imbalance of energy, and that well-being and deeper self-understanding result when life energy is able to flow without interruption or stagnation.
Dr. Stone conducted many teaching seminars on polarity therapy, mostly aimed at he medical profession. In 1984 the American Polarity Therapy Association was set up, and over 150 practitioners have since been certified.
KEY PRINCIPLES
Polarity therapists see the body as a system of energy fields, and believe that life energy is kept in constant motion by the pull of opposing poles, which act like magnets. The head and right side of the body are the positive pole, and the feet and left side are the negative pole. The center of the body along the line of the spinal cord, is neutral. Energy flows clockwise between the poles, passing along the central channel, where there are five neutral energy centers of ether, air, fire, water, and earth. These correspond in position to Ayurvedic chakras and in character to the Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each center has a particular function:
- Ether controls the throat and hearing.
- Air regulates respiration, the lungs, the heart and circulation.
- Fire governs digestion.
- Water controls glands and emotions.
- Earth governs excretion.
Illness and poor health are considered to be the result of stagnation and depletions in the energy currents, and practitioners may use one or more of a number of therapies to restore balance: therapeutic "bodywork", nutritional advice, "polarity yoga" or stretching exercises, and counseling.
For bodywork, touch and manipulation techniques are used to pinpoint and relieve stagnation and encourage the free flow of energy around the body.
Food is believed to contribute directly to the quantity and quality of this energy. Poor nutrition and digestion may be at the root of many physical problems, and practitioners often prescribe cleansing or detoxifying diets to eliminate harmful products that may have accumulated in the body. A "health-building diet", containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, may then be recommended.
Polarity yoga exercises, based on the body's natural movements, consist of simple postures designed to help maintain muscle tone, release toxins, and strengthen the spine. They are accompanied by gentle rocking, stretching, and vocal expressions, said to open up the flow of energy.
Counseling is used when practitioners feel that negative thoughts are impeding energy flow. They believe that the mind has a direct impact on the way the body works, and that counseling helps to enhance self-awareness and self-esteem and encourage a positive attitude.
CONSULTING A PRACTITIONER
The practitioner will begin by asking questions about your medical history and lifestyle. In most cases, you then lie on a treatment table while the practitioner assesses your energy flow using polarity bodywork. It is not essential to undress, and you can be examined through clothing if you prefer.
The practitioner usually starts by moving her hands around your head, then down toward your feet, up the body over the five energy centers, finishing back at your head. She will employ different levels of pressure:
- Neutral: A light, fingertip touch to restore body awareness and balance.
- Positive: Which aims to stimulate energy by stroking, molding, and rocking the body.
- Negative: Which uses deep, sometimes uncomfortable manipulation of body tissue to stimulate the flow of energy.
Most people find bodywork profoundly relaxing, but it is possible that in clearing areas of stagnation, it may induce an emotional outburst of anger, grief, or mirth.
The practitioner may show you exercises to follow at home and recommend a "health-building" cleansing diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. If she believes negative thoughts are contributing to the problem, she may suggest counseling.
SELF-HELP
Your practitioner may suggest simple polarity yoga exercises to be carried out at home and that require only a few minutes daily to complete, together with a specific diet or detoxifying regime. Dr. Stone believed strongly in the cleansing and healing power of fruits and vegetables. A diet might therefore include steamed or boiled vegetables, soups, fresh juices, and herbal teas, such as the polarity liver flush and tea.
POLARITY LIVER FLUSH & POLARITY TEA
POLARITY YOGA
EVIDENCE & RESEARCH
No clinical trials have been carried out so far. This is partly due to lack of funding and partly because practitioners have no background in research.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL OPINION
To date, there is no scientific evidence for the theory of "life energy" flow. The treatments, however, seem harmless, as long as caution is exercised when embarking on detoxifying diets.
PRECAUTIONS
Consult with your health care provider before following a detoxifying diet.
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