Definitions of Alternative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Adjunctive Medicine - Part 9

Natural Hygiene (Hygienic Health System, Life Science): Variation of Nature Cure represented by proponents as the legacy of Sylvester Graham (1794-1851). Graham, the originator of the graham cracker, began his career as a Presbyterian minister and temperance lecturer. He professed the following. (a) Frequent involuntary discharges of semen presage debility. (b) Ingestion of "improper" foods or overeating cause seminal discharges. (c) Masturbation brings on pimples and potentially fatal sores. (d) Digestion entails an expenditure of vital force. (e) Diet is a means of economizing the vital force. (f) A diet is healthful if it narrowly prompts the digestive organs to function normally. According to "Hygienic" literature, the first "hygienic doctor" was Isaac Jennings, M.D. (1788-1874), who taught that obedience to "physical law" facilitates obedience to "moral law." Natural Hygiene's postulate is that disease is a process of "purification" and repair. The major "Hygienic" practices are fasting, food combining, and a form of veganism that emphasizes uncooked foods. Some "Professional Natural Hygienists" do not subscribe to food combining.

naturopathy (natural healing, natural health, natural medicine, natural therapies, nature cure, naturology, naturopathic healing, naturopathic health care, naturopathic medicine): Miscellany that encompasses auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture), Ayurveda, balneotherapy, bioelectronic diagnosis, biofeedback, cupping, electroacupuncture, fasting, the Grape Cure (and other mono-diets), hair analysis, herbalism, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, internal hydrotherapy (e.g., colonic irrigation), iridology, Jin Shin Do, Jungian psychology, macrobiotics, moxibustion, Oriental medicine, Ortho-Bionomy, orthomolecular psychiatry, thalassotherapy, Tuina, and zone therapy. Naturopathy originated in the latter half of the nineteenth century, in Germany. Dr. John H. Scheel, a German-born homeopath, coined the word "naturopathy" in 1895, when he opened the Sanitarium Badekur in New York. Vitalism is fundamental to naturopathy.

Network Spinal Analysis (Network, Network Chiropractic, Network Chiropractic Spinal Analysis): Conspicuously vitalistic form of chiropractic founded in 1983 by Donald M. Epstein, D.C. It embraces the following principles. (a) An innate or "resident" intelligence ("inborn wisdom") governs all human biological processes through the nervous system and never harms the body. (b) This "intelligence" directs the life force ("vital life energy" or "vital life force"), which bestirs every cell. (c) Malposition of the spinal cord, nerves, and vertebrae can cause mechanical tension that may impede the "vital life force." (d) Mental and chemical stress can cause such mechanical tension. (e) Removing mechanical impediments to the "vital life force" heightens the operation of "innate intelligence" naturally. (f) The universe and society are intrinsically good.

Nichiren Buddhism (Nichirenism, Nichiren Shoshu, NS, Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism): Mystical Japanese religion named after Nichiren Daishonin (1222-1282), founder of nichiren-shu ("School of the Lotus of the Sun"). Daishonin was a militant Japanese patriot and a supposed incarnation of an early disciple of the Buddha. Chanting the Japanese expression "Namu myoho renge-kyo" (which literally means "Veneration to the sutra [scriptural discourse] of the lotus of the good law [i.e, the Lotus Sutra]") is the core of NS worship. NS chanting is an alleged means of gaining anything one wants, notably health, influence, and material assets.

Nine Star Ki: System of "directionology" and futuristic astrology based on the oriental theory of the Five Elements. Supposedly, it is a "profound science" and the most comprehensive astrological system. Members of the macrobiotic community reportedly use Nine Star Ki to determine the best directions in which to travel and which directions to avoid.

neural therapy: Form of energy medicine (vibrational medicine) akin to acupuncture, developed in Germany circa 1930 by two brothers, Ferdinand and Walter Huneke (also spelled "Huehneke"). The Hunekes, both medical doctors, maintained that injections of local anesthetics into areas of "energy" disturbance ("interference fields") could relieve pain, immobility, and dysfunction. Injection sites include acupoints, scars, and the sites of old fractures or past infection. Purportedly, neural therapy energizes "short-circuited" cells and helps to regulate "biological energy." Proponents recommend it for hundreds of health problems.

numerology: The study of the magical meanings of numbers and of their supposed influence on human life. It is a purported calculative means of obtaining information about one's personality, capabilities, and future. The basis of numerology is that numbers have an "inner nature" and "vibration." Numerological considerations include an individual's full name, birthplace, and birth date. (Numerological interpretation of one's name is called "onomatomancy.") For example, the number eleven is connectable with the eleven loyal apostles of Jesus Christ; the number twelve with the entire group of apostles, the twelve divisions of the zodiac, and the twelve months of the year; and the number thirteen with covens (groups of thirteen witches).

Nvwoti (Cherokee herbal medicine): Native American form of botanical "healing" that purportedly treats all human components: emotional, physical, societal, and spiritual.

organismic psychotherapy (humanistic body psychotherapy): Spinoff of Reichian Therapy developed by Malcolm Brown, Ph.D., and Katherine Ennis Brown, in Europe. Its theory divides human anatomy into four "dynamic Being Centers" of the "embodied soul": (1) The Agape-Eros Being Center consists of the upper frontal portion of the body and purportedly mediates feelings of openness toward others. (2) the Hara Being Center, the abdominal portion of the body, supposedly permits self-love. (3) The Logos Being Center, the upper dorsal portion of the body, allegedly has unfathomable intuitive faculties. (4) The Phallic-Spiritual Warrior Being Center, which consists of the lower back and the limbs, supposedly enables resoluteness (perseverance).

orgone therapy (medical orgone therapy, medical orgonomy, orgonomic medicine, orgonomic medicine therapy): System developed by psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957), who coined the word "orgone" to refer to a hypothetical fundamental, omnipresent, life-sustaining, intelligent radiation. Orgone therapy encompasses the Reich Blood Test and Reichian Therapy. The professional activities of medical orgonomists include administering "orgone charged" water and applying peculiar devices: The orgone field meter and the vacor tube contribute to ostensible diagnosis. The meter allegedly shows the extent and strength of the patient's "orgone energy field." The vacor tube is an "orgone charged" glass vacuum tube that supposedly glows under the influence of the patient's "orgone energy field." The "medical dor-buster" purportedly siphons a toxic form of orgone"dor" (an acronym for "deadly orgone")from the patient's body.

oriental channel diagnosis (CD): Manual "technique" of Oriental medicine that centers on the alleged reactivity of acupoints termed "diagnostic." According to CD theory, one may infer from "abnormal sensitivity" at such an acupoint that the supposed channel governing the acupoint is "unbalanced" and that there is pathology along the channel. (See "kyo-jitsu" "diagnostic acupressure.")

Orthomolecular medicine (orthomolecular nutritional medicine, orthomolecular therapy): Approach to therapy whose centerpiece is megavitamin therapy. Orthomolecular medicine encompasses hair analysis, orthomolecular nutrition (a form of megavitamin therapy), and orthomolecular psychiatry. Linus Carl Pauling, Ph.D. (19011994), coined the word "orthomolecular." The prefix "ortho-" means "straight," and the implicit meaning of "orthomolecular" is "to straighten (correct) concentrations of specific molecules." The primary principle of orthomolecular medicine is that nutrition is the foremost consideration in diagnosis and treatment. Its purported focus is "normalizing" the "balance" of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and "similar" substances in the body.

panchakarma (Pancha Karma therapy, rejuvenation therapy): Ayurvedic group of five "purificatory steps" or "elimination therapies." Panchakarma comprises: (1) emesis therapy ("therapeutic vomiting"); (2) purgation therapy--evacuation of the bowels with a laxative; (3) errhine therapy (nasal insufflation therapy)--intranasal application of "decongestants" such as medicated oils, powdered herbs, and ghee (fat derived from butter of cow or buffalo origin); (4) oily enema therapy; and (5) decoction (watery) enema therapy. Some Ayurvedists regard the two types of enema therapy as one step and bloodletting therapy (Raktamoksha) as the fifth.

pendular diagnosis (radiesthetic diagnosis): Ostensibly diagnostic form of radiesthesia. It involves holding a pendulum over the patient. Its postulate is that diseased organs emit radiation different from that of unaffected organs. According to its theory, when the pendulum is above a diseased organ, the organ repels it, and the more diseased the organ, the larger the loop the pendulum makes.

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy (Phoenix Rising): Derivative of Kripalu Yoga. Phoenix Rising is a form of body-centered psychotherapy that encompasses breathwork, energy balancing, visualization (see "creative visualization"), and a variation of hatha yoga. Its postulate is that unresolved emotional experiences are "stored" in the body--concealed from consciousness--and suppress the body's "natural freedom." The method supposedly establishes "inner balance" by "awakening" the "healing life force."

Planetary Herbology (Planetary Herbalism): Integrative system of herbalism forged by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., author of the bestseller The Way of Herbs and Planetary Herbology. Tierra dedicated the latter book to "all green, growing, flowering ones of this beautiful planet, who embody the universal creative healing energy." In it, he describes herbs partly in terms of "energetics" and which "acupuncture meridian pathways" the herbs supposedly affect. "Energetics" is based on the concepts of: (a) "energies"--e.g., "heating," "cooling," "slightly warm," and neutral; and (b) "flavors" ("tastes")--e.g., bland (mildly sweet) and salty. These concepts stem from TCM and Ayurveda (specifically, tridosha), respectively.

plant alchemy (spagyrics): Form of herbalism based on astrologic and alchemic ("parachemical") principles. One of the major goals of alchemy, a mystical "art," was to find the "elixir of life": a panacea that could make humans immortal or semidivine. Plant alchemy holds that three "essentials"--termed Sulfur, Mercury, and Salt--constitute the basis of all matter. Supposedly, "Sulfur" is the masculine "world soul," "Mercury" the feminine "vital power" (prana), and "Salt" the material "vehicle." Spagyrists purportedly seek to extract these "essentials" from plants for use as remedies.

Pleiadian Lightwork: A means of opening "ka channels," alleged pullers of "energy" from "multidimensional holographic selves" into the "physical" body. According to Pleiadian theory, alignment of one's "divine self" and one's "physical" body increases one's "vibratory rate," restores youthfulness, quickens "spiritual evolution," and stimulates "emotional healing." A major promoter of the method is "psychic" Amorah Quan Yin, author of The Pleiadian Workbook: Awakening Your Divine Ka (Bear & Company, 1995) and Pleiadian Perspectives on Human Evolution (Bear & Company, 1996). In the late 1970s, Yin reportedly experienced "cellular awakening" ("the soul's remembrance of itself") triggered by "light beings" from the Pleiades (a cluster of stars in Taurus). "The Pleiadian Emissaries" purportedly work through her. (The Egyptian expression "ka" means "astral body" or "double.")

Polarity Therapy (Polarity, polarity balancing, Polarity Energy Balancing, Polarity Energy Balancing system, polarity energy healing, polarity healing, polarity system, Polarity techniques, Polarity Wellness®): Eclectic "natural health care system" originated by Austrian-born Randolph Stone, D.C., D.O., N.D. (1890-1982), and based primarily on Ayurvedic principles. It includes basic Polarity counseling, cranial balancing (see "CranioSacral Therapy"), guided imagery, hydrotherapy, Polarity bodywork, Polarity dream counseling, Polarity evaluation, Polarity nutrition, Polarity reflexology, Polarity Yoga, and spinal balancing. Its postulate is that "balancing" the flow of "energy" in the body is the foundation of health. According to its theory, the top and right side of the body have a positive charge, and the feet and the left side of the body have a negative charge. Thus, practitioners place their right hand on "negatively charged" parts of the client's body, and their left hand on "positively charged" parts. Polarity theory also posits a cleanable "cellular memory."

Pranic Healing (bioplasmic healing, radiatory healing): Purported ancient science and art whose "modern founder" is Choa Kok Sui. Pranic Healing supposedly uses ki, prana, or "vital energy" to heal the "whole physical body." It allegedly involves manipulation of ki and "bioplasmic matter." Pranic Healing theory posits acupoints, chakras, meridians ("bioplasmic channels"), and a three-layered "energy body."

primal therapy (primal scream therapy): Mode of psychotherapy developed by child psychologist Arthur Janov, author of The Primal Scream (1970). Primal therapists dispense with analysis and, through a process of painful catharsis, purportedly attempt to resolve neuroses. Janov maintained that, to be effective, psychotherapy must uncover repressed "primal pains"unpleasant events undergone not only during childhood and infancy, but even in the fetal and embryonic stages. According to Janov, patients can dispel "primal pains" only by re-experiencing them and giving them physical expression (e.g., by screaming). The crux of primal therapy is rebirthing. Variations of primal therapy include Bio Scream Psychotherapy and the New Identity Process (NIP).

psionic medicine (psionics): Derivative of medical radiesthesia and radionics developed by physician George Laurence. It is a variation of telediagnosis. Its theory embraces the homeopathic concept of "miasms": three hereditary sources of all diseases resistant to homeopathic "treatment." Miasms supposedly hinder "vital energy flow" in the body. "Psionic medical practitioners" place: a sample of blood from the patient on one part of a chart below the pendulum; "samples" (in "homeopathic potency") of tissues, organs, and "diseases" in another part; and proposed homeopathic "remedies" in another. The way in which the pendulum moves determines whether such a "remedy" is appropriate. The word "psionics" also refers to radionics and to applied psi (applied parapsychology), a field whose focus is the application of "psychic abilities" to ordinary living.

psychic surgery (etheric surgery): Alleged means of healing tissue, or removing diseased tissue, with bare hands or common instruments, painlessly and uninjuriously. Practitioners are called "psychic surgeons" or "etheric surgeons." Some claim that they operate only on an individual's "etheric body" or "perispirit."

Psychogenetics: Method founded by "psycho-spiritual consultant" Gayatri Rein Reich, author of Psychogenetics. Psychogenetics allegedly: (a) "cracks" and "reprograms" genetic codes related to birth, aging, and death; and (b) dissolves "lineage chains." Its theory posits a "powerful program" on one's "psychogenetic computer" that determines: (a) when one is born, marries, and gives birth; (b) the nature of one's relationships; (c) the state of one's career and finances; and (d) the quality of one's physical and mental health.

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