Polarity therapy

Polarity Therapy is a holistic health system developed by Randolph Stone, DO^[1], DC^[2], ND^[3] (1890-1981).

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Beliefs

Polarity therapy is a synthesis of ancient Eastern and alternative medicine health care ideas centered on the concept of a Human Energy Field.^[4] Polarity Therapy concepts and methods were developed by Stone over the course of more than fifty years of practice and research including extensive worldwide travel. Using touch, verbal interaction, exercise, nutrition and other methods,^[5] believers in Polarity Therapy seek to balance and restore the natural flow of subtle energy, which they believe exists and can be perceived. They believe this results in improved health and fitness on all levels.

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 and Vol. II (CRCS, 1986), and Health-Building (The Book Publishing Co., 1999).Principles of Polarity Therapy:^[6]

They believe a subtle, invisible and intangible energetic system to be the substrate for all phenomena. Proponents compare this to the (measurable and quantifiable) electromagnetic bond between electron and proton that forms atoms. According to proponents, if the energetic flow is corrected and restored to its original design, the form will follow. Blockages in the flow of energy are claimed to lead to pain and disease. 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"^[7] and used esoteric language (such as ki, chi, prana and life force) from spiritual traditions (especially mystic *Christianity^[8], Ayurveda,^[9] Taoism, Hinduism^[10], Buddhism,^[11] Sufism and Yoga^[12] to describe its deep identity and implications.

Believers in Polarity therapy feel that reciprocal, complementary (polarized, hence the name of the therapy) forces, known as Yin and Yang. These dualities are said 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 may also be believers in chakras, reincarnation, karma and related esoteric spiritual ideas. According to Stone, the purpose of life is "the fulfillment of consciousness;"^[13]

Polarity therapists may embrace concepts from quantum physics^[14].^[15]

Polarity therapy has a mutually-supportive relationship with other forms of alternative medicine such as Oriental medicine, Ayurveda, Craniosacral therapy and Osteopathy, which all explore the subtle energetic factors in health conditions from their particular cultural viewpoints.

Polarity Therapy has four distinct areas of technique by which proponents believe energy can be sensed and changed: touch, exercise, diet, and mental-emotional process. Polarity practitioners registered with the American Polarity Therapy Association should be knowledgeable in all four areas. However, most practitioners tend to favor one area over others, so the work may vary considerably from one practitioner to another.

Research

Main article: Energy (spirituality)

Many of the criticisms levelled at the concept of spiritual energy also apply to polarity therapy.

Research supporting the validity of Polarity Therapy practice is not extensive or well-developed however anecdotal reports and nascent research continues to keep and attract followers.^[16]

Proponents believe their ideas about a human energy field to be validated by other believers in the paranormal such as Gary Schwartz.^[17] However Schwartz's research is not widely accepted by other scientists.

References

See also

Quantum-Touch