Holistic Health Practices/Part 2
| By: Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon; ©2006 |
| Acupuncture and acupressure are methods of applying stimulation to specific points on the body. Based on the occultic religion of Taoism, they claim to be able to stimulate the flow of cosmic life-energy known as ki or chi through invisible channels or “meridians” in the body. |
What are Acupuncture and Acupressure?
Acupuncture and acupressure are methods of applying stimulation to specific points on the body. Based on the occultic religion of Taoism, they claim to be able to stimulate the flow of cosmic life-energy known as ki (Japanese) or chi (Chinese) through alleged invisible channels or “meridians” in the body. When body organs or systems are supposedly deficient in a proper supply of ki or chi energy, imbalance is allegedly produced, resulting in disease. Restoring the flow of psychic energy through the meridians is believed to revitalize the body organs and systems, thereby curing illness and maintaining health.
Some scientists have claimed that acupuncture is effective for certain ailments and that it works on the basis of as yet unknown principles. But the latest scientific research is not supportive; studies have yet to demonstrate acupuncture’s effectiveness. For example, an exhaustive analysis of research published in The Clinical Journal of Pain (June 1991) concluded that acupuncture was at best a powerful placebo (cf. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 1990, Vol. 43, pp. 1191-99). When Western scientists attempt to separate acupuncture from its underlying occultic philosophy or practice and merely engage in an unspecific needle stimulation, these methods tend to lose their efficacy.
While the minority of scientific practitioners of acupuncture avoid the occult, most traditional practitioners do not. Classical acupuncture and acupressure involve the practice of an ancient pagan medicine inseparably tied to Taoism. In addition, Eastern meditative programs or other occultic practices may be used in conjunction with acupuncture therapy. Further, psychic healing may be deliberately or inadvertently engaged through the practice of attempting to regulate or channel psychic energies.
Needle stimulation has produced physical complications, such as infection and nerve damage. Infrequent serious injuries, such as punctured lung and convulsion, have also been reported: The complication frequency is unknown because no study has been done. Because diagnosis and treatment can be ineffective, the possibility of misdiagnosis of a serious illness also exists.
A fuller treatment of this topic may be found in John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Can You Trust Your Doctor? Available through The John Ankerberg Show.
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