Paper: Independent, The (London, England)
Title: The Independent: Energy Issue: FORCE OF NATURE
Author: Lorna V
Date: February 2, 2002
Biophysics is an alternative health system which views the human body and its ailments in terms of its energy, and what might have gone wrong with that energy. A varied and alarming sounding range of new treatments – Gas Discharge Visualisation, Colourpuncture, Electronic Gem Lamp Therapy – is now available in this growing and surprisingly hi-tech field.
For those already into the likes of feng shui, acupuncture and the balancing of chakras, the basic biophysics proposition will make some sense. But somehow the leap from ancient wisdoms to what sounds like evolving, up-to-the-minute science and physics can be tough mentally. “The key issue is that humans have a finite biological energy reserve which lasts on average about 70 years,” argues independent medical scientist Dr Jon Whale, author of The Catalyst of Power (Findhorn Press). “Health cells, organs and glands have an optimum vibration rate, both at the cellular, atomic and electron level. When the vibrational rate of cells, blood, organs and glands depart from the optimum level, then we become sick. The alignment of our energy field is critical for our mental and physical health.”
The modern practice of biophysics has many links with the older alternative therapies. Guru Dharam is an acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist and yoga therapist who runs Lotus Healing, a collective of practitioners in London which specialises in the latest “scientific” treatments. “Science and ancient medicine are like half siblings,” claims Dharam, “and `energymedicine’ unites the two through cutting-edge modern technology.”
One of Lotus Healing’s practitioners is Elena O’Keeffe, who specialises in two modern systems from her native Russia (the diagnostic Gas Discharge Visualisation, and the healing Kosmed technology, see below). “The British public are enormously suspicious of new treatments,” she says. “Russians are great believers in technology, and hi-tech diagnostic devices and treatments are widespread. It’s not unusual to go to your GP and be referred to an entire clinic with electromagnetic devices.”
The British may be right to be wary, however. As surgeon, homeopath and British Kosmed pioneer Dr James Colthurst admits, there is simply not enough clinical evidence to substantiate some of these new hi-tech treatments. Colthurst introduced Kosmed to this country after visiting Russia himself and testing the system extensively. “There is certainly greater openness in Russia,” he says, “and a great deal more research, and many more treatments. However, mostly these are not to a standard that is acceptable here.”
Clinical trials in this country not only follow stringent regulations, but they can also be prohibitively expensive, with an average trial costing several thousand pounds per patient, and most trials based on at least 100 patients.
Colthurst, formerly a surgeon at St Thomas’s Hospital in London, now runs a private clinic in Hungerford, Berkshire. His advice to anybody considering a new treatment is to consider the practitioner rather than be swayed by scientific claims. “Whatever treatment you have is dependent on the practitioner whose hands you are in,” he says. “In the hands of somebody who lacks sufficient training you are putting yourself at risk. A few weekend courses here and there do not make a practitioner of any kind. There is an enormous difference between the wacky circuit and sound practitioners.”
Electronic Gem Lamp Therapy
The lamp, developed privately by Dr Jon Whale, is similar in some ways to the surgical lasers and ultrasonic scanners used in orthodox medicine, which also use crystals. The Gem Lamp Therapy complies with NHS regulations for therapeutic and medical equipment, and two NHS clinics are currently undertaking clinical trials.
The theory goes that precious gems are “reservoirs” of energy. In Electronic Gem Lamp Therapy, light is directed through a particular gem and on to the body, influencing cellular activity in diseased tissue, organs and glands at a level which chemicals cannot penetrate. Typical properties of gems are sapphire to reduce pain and emerald to reduce inflammation. It is claimed that it is ideal for chronic conditions including ME and eczema.
For more information, visit www.whalemedical.com
Colourpuncture
Colourpuncture, developed in 1978 by German naturopath Peter Mandel, is based on acupuncture, using colour and modern technology instead of needles. Colour frequencies are applied to relevant acupuncture points and reflex zones in line with the Chinese meridian system, but using a light torch. Red, for example, increases blood pressure, breathing frequency, energy
levels; blue has a peaceful, antiseptic and decongesting effect and is good for reducing spasms.
Angelika Hochadel, who trained extensively in Germany as a medical naturopath, and in complementary treatments including acupuncture and homeopathy, works extensively with Colourpuncture. “It’s been around in Germany for 25 years,” she says. “It’s not unusual for GPs to recommend this treatment, indeed many GPs train to do it themselves.”
For more information, contact Angelika Hochadel (01732 700263) or visit www.fiolhealth.com
Gas Discharge Visualisation
This is a diagnostic technique developed at St Petersburg State Technical University in Russia. Put simply, a high intensity electrical field is created around the person under investigation and this field is then photographed using a special camera. The result, viewed on a computer screen, is an image of the body with a colour graphic running round it. The latter is said to be a representation of the bioelectrical state of the body, measuring deficient or excess energy.
“It’s a swift way of looking into the body and mind without opening it up,” says practitioner Elena O’Keeffe. The whole process takes about five minutes, and the body can be mapped by putting a hand into a special electronic glove. GDV can be used to help pinpoint physiological and psychological problems, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. It is currently undergoing trials in Germany.
For more information, contact Elena O’Keeffe (07957 135097)
Kosmed
Kosmed, originally developed to treat cosmonauts, has become a hugely successful hi-tech holistic healing technology in its native Russia. The battery-powered Kosmed device looks like a remote control, with buttons and a digital read-out screen on one side, and metal skin contact plates on the other. It works by sending electrical impulses to the nervous system to help it repair itself.
Russian clinical studies are said to show that Kosmed has a 70-80 per cent success rate for everything from digestive problems to respiratory illnesses. Kosmed is licensed for medical use in this country and is currently undergoing clinical trials in the UK to evaluate its success rate.
For more information contact Dr James Colthurst (01488 684008) or visit www.kosmed.co.uk. All the above treatments are available from Lotus Healing (07958 928252).
Author: Lorna V