From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – July 11

What is the ‘Wellness Revolution’? Do alternative practices really work, or are they a whole lot of mumbo-jumbo?

IT would be folly not to have faith in Western medicine, and in some traditional Chinese medicine, including the power of acupuncture. It took several years of herbal treatment, but Professor Jerry Zhang saved the life of a colleague who had consumed mercury-diseased prawns. Conversely, it is difficult to imagine any circumstance where a two-week old infant requires chiropractic spinal realignment; kinesiology is deemed too ridiculous for scientific study and is about as effective as penis enlargement pills; homeopathy (a practice based on belief the body can cure itself using natural substances) is problematic.

Rhinoceros horn is not an aphrodisiac and has resulted in over-hunting and an endangering of the species. The most effective aid is someone after whom you lust, desperately! Medical conditions notwithstanding, it works every time! In the same way, the oyster and stout theory is spurious. A full belly and three-sheets to the wind has always led to a degree of randiness; although, having over-imbibed, the coursing libido does not always match the imagined performance. It is not called ‘brewer’s droop’ for nothing.

It would be hubristic to summarily dismiss, out of ignorance, many of the ancient spiritual and manipulative practices which came before modern medicine; however, it does not follow, ipso facto, that such practices are able to treat fully blown, life-threatening, medical conditions. They require the attention of a properly qualified general practitioner. Sadly, not all GPs are what they ought be. Examples of medical malpractice, negligence, and a failure to diagnose, are myriad and regrettable; however, that does not negate the validity of the argument, or the need for proper treatment and diagnoses.

There is no disputing the many benefits, and the general feeling of wellbeing, derived from yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, and the numerous other alternative disciplines; however, the benefits should not to be seen as a replacement-form of medical treatment. The Federal government has released a list of natural therapies which private health insurers are now banned or prohibited from funding; these treatments are deemed to be lacking in scientific evidence. Those GPs practicing integrative medicine, combine the best of conventional western medicine with evidence-based, effective, complementary medicine and therapies.

One Victorian-based, alternative trained practitioner, offers a questionable − even risible − range: General health (removes old dirty energy & blockages); Kryiashakti/pranic healing (abundance healing/increases personal magnetism); Relationship healing (improves all relations, work and home); Psychotherapy healing – removing addictions: chocolate, smoking, alcohol, obsessive sex, OCD, neurosis reduction; Business healing: clean-up a business and make it run better, be more harmonious and prosperous; Spiritual healing: brings in more inner peace, stillness, and calm; Space clearing – harmonise through removing old dirty energies, projecting and installing fresh clean energies of certain colours with symbols and building a vortex (Anta Karana-spiritual bridge) to connect with the Divine, and make the home healthier, more prosperous and harmonious; Sports therapy (improves on field performance); Sports injury therapy (reduces injury healing time); Chi blockage therapy; Time Line Therapy; Russian knowledge (the founder of which was gaoled for charging to resurrect the dead); Reiki healing (the nonsensical laying-on of hands); DNA Healing (too silly to contemplate); Theta Healing (gobbledegook); Yogic healing (harmless); and acupressure healing.

Life is challenging. People should employ whatever spiritual and emotional techniques it takes to ease their daily vicissitudes; however, while none of these is directly harmful, they can prove a costly distraction from real and serious medical care. The ambiguous use of the word ‘healing’, which has its own potent energy, is risky, and is a pointer to look more closely, even suspiciously.

The Wellness Revolution is a juggernaut. Some people are chasing a quick buck. Caveat emptor!

Roland can be heard every Monday morning – 10.30 – on radio 3BA and contacted on [email protected].