Energy medicine

{{altmed}}
'''Energy medicine''' refers to a diverse array of alternative and complementary practices that claim to promote health by manipulating supposed "energy fields" within or surrounding the human body. These approaches often invoke concepts such as biofields, [[vitalism|vital energy]], or subtle electromagnetic forces, which proponents claim can be influenced to restore balance and facilitate [[healing]].

Within mainstream [[scientific]] and [[evidence-based medicine]] communities, energy medicine is generally regarded as a [[pseudoscientific]] field lacking [[empirical]] validation. It is not integrated into evidence-based healthcare protocols, and many of its claims are viewed as unsubstantiated or incompatible with established principles of [[physics]] and [[biology]].

== Historical context ==
The roots of energy medicine can be traced to [[Appeal to ancient wisdom|ancient traditions]], including [[Traditional Chinese Medicine]] (with concepts like [[qi]]), [[Ayurveda]] ([[prana]]), and various indigenous healing systems. In the modern era, it has evolved to incorporate elements of 19<sup>th</sup>- and 20<sup>th</sup>-century vitalism, as well as pseudoscientific interpretations of [[quantum mechanics]] and [[electromagnetism]].

Notable historical figures associated with early energy medicine include Franz Mesmer (mesmerism or animal magnetism) and [[Wilhelm Reich]] ([[orgone energy]]). Contemporary forms often blend these ideas with [[New Age]] philosophies, leading to a proliferation of modalities in the alternative health market.

== Common modalities ==
Energy medicine encompasses numerous practices, including but not limited to:
* '''[[Reiki]]''': A [[Japanese]] technique involving hand placements or distant healing to channel "universal life energy."
* '''[[Therapeutic touch]]''': A nursing-derived method where practitioners claim to assess and balance energy fields without physical contact.
* '''[[Qigong]] and Tai Chi''': [[Chinese]] practices combining movement, [[meditation]], and breathwork to cultivate qi.
* '''[[Acupuncture]]''': Often classified under energy medicine due to [[meridian]] theory, though some aspects are studied in evidence-based contexts.
* '''[[Crystal healing]]''': Use of minerals purported to resonate with bodily energies.
* '''Biofield therapies''': General term for non-contact energy manipulation, such as pranic healing or Johrei.
* '''Device-based approaches''': Gadgets claiming to emit beneficial frequencies, like Rife machines or [[scalar wave]] devices.

These modalities vary in their theoretical foundations and application, but commonly lack rigorous scientific backing.

== Scientific evaluation ==
From a scientific perspective, the concept of "energy" in energy medicine diverges significantly from its physical definition, which denotes the capacity to perform work and is quantifiable through units such as joules. Proponents' use of terms such as "subtle energy" or "bioenergy" often remains undefined, precluding [[falsifiable]] [[hypotheses]].

Established biomedical research acknowledges genuine bioelectromagnetic phenomena, such as nerve impulses, cardiac electrical activity, and the effects of external fields in therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) for specific conditions. However, these are governed by precise mechanisms, dosimetry, and regulatory oversight, contrasting with the [[vague]] claims in energy medicine.

Critics, including organizations like the [[National Council Against Health Fraud]] and experts such as [[Edzard Ernst]], highlight that energy medicine often relies on [[anecdotal evidence]], uncontrolled studies, and [[placebo]] responses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncahf.org/pp/acu.html |title=NCAHF Position Paper on Acupuncture |publisher=National Council Against Health Fraud |date=1990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426052448/http://www.ncahf.org/pp/acu.html |archive-date=2009-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://quackwatch.org/nccam/research/energy/ |title=NCCAM Studies of "Energy Medicine" Are a Waste of Money |publisher=Quackwatch |author=Barrett S |date=2011-07-28 |access-date=2025-12-28}}</ref> [[Review article|Systematic reviews]] on modalities such as Reiki and therapeutic touch generally conclude that [[evidence]] for efficacy is weak or insufficient, often attributing reported benefits to placebo effects or methodological flaws. For instance, a 2015 Cochrane review on Reiki for depression and anxiety found insufficient evidence,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Joyce |first1=J |last2=Herbison |first2=GP |title=Reiki for depression and anxiety |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |date=2015 |issue=4 |pages=CD006833 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006833.pub2 |pmid=25835541 |url=https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006833.pub2/full}}</ref> while a more recent 2022 systematic review suggested some benefits over placebo for mental health symptoms, though with noted risks of bias.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Zadro |first1=S |last2=Stapleton |first2=P |title=Does Reiki Benefit Mental Health Symptoms Above Placebo? |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |date=2022 |volume=13 |pages=897312 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312 |pmid=35756238 |url=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897312/full}}</ref> Regarding therapeutic touch, a 2021 rapid evidence assessment of 21 studies (2009–2020) found no high-quality evidence supporting its effectiveness, with most studies exhibiting serious methodological flaws and benefits likely attributable to non-specific effects.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Monroe |first1=CM |last2=Anderson |first2=RE |last3=Maglakelidze |first3=NI |last4=Lobner |first4=K |last5=Paik |first5=E |last6=Stein |first6=JD |title=A rapid evidence assessment of recent therapeutic touch research |journal=Nursing Open |date=2021 |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=2314-2326 |doi=10.1002/nop2.880 |pmid=34390217 |pmc=PMC8363410 |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8363410/}}</ref> Similarly, a 2017 systematic review of 13 interventional studies reported positive effects on pain, depression, and anxiety but emphasized limitations due to small sample sizes and absence of placebo controls.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Monzillo |first1=E |last2=Gronowicz |first2=G |title=Therapeutic Touch efficacy: A Systematic Review |journal=Medical - Surgical Nursing Journal |date=2017 |volume=6 |issue=2-3 |pages=45-51 |url=https://brieflands.com/journals/msnj/articles/67946.pdf}}</ref> A 2020 review of 25 studies also noted mixed results, with some positive impacts on pain and anxiety but inconsistencies across trials.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bagci |first1=H |last2=Yucel |first2=SC |title=A Systematic Review of the Studies about Therapeutic Touch after 2010 |journal=International Journal of Caring Sciences |date=2020 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=546-556 |url=https://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/27_bassi_original_13_1.pdf}}</ref>

Potential harms include opportunity costs (delaying conventional treatment), financial exploitation, and [[psychological]] dependence on unproven methods.

== Pseudoscientific aspects ==
Energy medicine frequently exhibits the  hallmarks of pseudoscience, such as:
* Reliance on [[unfalsifiable]] claims.
* Selective interpretation of scientific concepts (e.g., misapplying [[quantum entanglement]] to healing).
* Absence of [[peer review|peer-reviewed]], [[Reproducibility|reproducible]] data.
* [[Appeal to ancient wisdom|Appeals to ancient wisdom]] or [[anecdotal evidence|personal testimonials]] over empirical testing.

This ambiguity allows for broad [[marketing]] appeals but hinders objective assessment.

== Regulation and consumer protection ==
In many jurisdictions, energy medicine practices are unregulated or lightly regulated as "wellness" services rather than medical treatments. Agencies such as the [[FDA]] in the [[United States]] and equivalent bodies elsewhere scrutinize devices making health claims, often classifying them as unapproved if evidence is insufficient.

Ethical concerns arise when practitioners present energy medicine as alternatives to proven therapies, potentially misleading vulnerable individuals. Advocacy groups recommend [[skepticism]] and consultation with licensed healthcare providers.

== See also ==
{{collist|2|
* [[Alternative medicine]]
* [[Evidence-based medicine]]
* [[Placebo effect]]
* [[Pseudoscience]]
* [[Quantum mysticism]]
* [[Vitalism]]
}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Energy therapy| ]]
[[Category:New Age]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]

Categories: Alternative medicine, Energy therapy, New Age, Pseudoscience