Positive Health Online

Abstract

WIRTH and CRAM, Healing Sciences Research International, Orinda, California, USA analysed three studies regarding complementary healing methods.

Background

Methodology

The series of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies concerned sEMG electrode placement upon specific neuromuscular paraspinal centres (cervical C4, thoracic T6 and lumbar L3), as well as the frontalis region, as these sites correspond to chakra centres as described in Eastern texts. The hypothesis is that the sEMG assessment procedure had the potential to provide objective, quantifiable correlates for healing effects, and assess energy flow through the chakras during the healing treatment .

Results

These were the first randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled protocols to evaluate neuromuscular paraspinal measures with differing healing interventions. Although measurement protocols were similar between experiments, the results varied and appeared to be linked to either the meditational experience of the subjects or to the particular healer(s). These results are considered preliminary in nature, but they indicate a potentially objective scientific correlation to healing interventions.

Conclusion

More research is required to establish the sEMG assessment procedure as a reliable correlative measure for healing effects and to determine whether consistent replicative treatment effects can be demonstrated, independent of the specific population or practitioner.

References

Wirth DP and Cram JR. Multisite surface electromyography and complementary healing intervention: a comparative analysis. J Altern Complement Med 3(4): 355-64 Winter 1997.