As a practitioner of polarity therapy for over fifteen years I have witnessed the results of profound healing in these areas and more. This article touches on some of the areas where polarity is pivotal to creating change. The combination of deeper energy clearing, nutritional support, hypnosis, and floatation, enhance the ability to move to even higher levels of wellness.
Our polarity sessions are our “Signature Treatment” sessions.
Updated December 01, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com’s Medical Review Board.
Polarity therapy is an alternative therapy that involves balancing the flow of energy in the body to improve or maintain health. Developed in the late 19th century by Randolph Stone (a chiropractor and osteopath), polarity therapy is also known as polarity balancing and polarity energy balancing.
Polarity therapy is somewhat influenced by concepts of energy flow used in ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.
However, polarity therapy differs from those systems of medicine given its theory that positive and negative energy charges in the body’s electromagnetic energy field govern the flow of energy.
Practitioners of polarity therapy use a number of techniques (including bodywork and stretching exercises) to balance energy flow and restore health to the body.
How Does Polarity Therapy Work?
According to practitioners of polarity therapy, illness is caused by disruptions in the body’s energy flow and the resulting stress and trauma. Polarity therapy is based on the idea that there are three types of energy fields in the body: long-line currents that run north to south in the body, transverse currents that run east-west in the body, and spiral currents that start at the navel and expand outward.
To find the sources of energy blockages, practitioners of polarity therapy scan the body for symptoms like pain, discomfort, muscle spasms, and muscle tension (especially in the shoulders and back). Once blockages are identified, the practitioner uses a variety of techniques to clear the paths of energy fields, including spinal realignment and movement exercises.
In some cases, practices like deep-breathing, yoga, and hydrotherapy may also be incorporated into polarity therapy.
Uses for Polarity Therapy
In alternative medicine, polarity therapy is said to help with the following health problems:
- allergies
- anxiety
- arthritis
- back pain
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- depression
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome
- migraine
In addition, proponents claim that polarity can improve range of motion, increase energy, alleviate pain, relieve stress, and reduce swelling. Some proponents also suggest that polarity therapy can stimulate the immune system and fend off disease, including cancer.
Health Benefits of Polarity Therapy
Although there is currently a lack of scientific support for claims that polarity therapy can treat specific health problems or conditions, some studies suggest that polarity therapy may offer certain health benefits. Here’s a look at some key findings from the available research on polarity therapy:
1) Cancer
Preliminary research indicates that polarity therapy may help offset some of the adverse effects associated with certain cancer treatments. In a pilot study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies in 2005, for instance, researchers found that polarity therapy may help alleviate fatigue and improve quality of life among women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer.
For the study, 15 women receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer were assigned to one, two, or no polarity therapy sessions. Results revealed that those assigned to polarity therapy experienced a significantly greater improvement in fatigue and quality of life compared to members of the control group.
In a 2011 study published in the same journal, researchers assigned 45 women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer to receive standard clinical care, massage, or polarity therapy over the course of three weeks. At the study’s end, members of the massage and polarity therapy groups reported greater improvements in fatigue and quality of life than members of the group assigned to standard care.
2) Stress
Polarity therapy may help reduce stress, according to a 2009 study published in The Gerontologist. The study involved 42 caregivers of people with dementia. One group received eight sessions of polarity therapy, while a second group had a short-term relief of their caregiving duties. After assessing each participant, the study’s authors determined that those given polarity therapy experienced a significantly greater reduction in stress levels. In addition, members of the polarity therapy group showed greater improvements in depression, pain, vitality, and general health.
American Cancer Society. “Polarity Therapy.” November 2008.
Korn L, Logsdon RG, Polissar NL, Gomez-Beloz A, Waters T, Rÿser R. “A randomized trial of a CAM therapy for stress reduction in American Indian and Alaskan Native family caregivers.” Gerontologist. 2009 Jun;49(3):368-77.
Mustian KM, Roscoe JA, Palesh OG, Sprod LK, Heckler CE, Peppone LJ, Usuki KY, Ling MN, Brasacchio RA, Morrow GR. “Polarity Therapy for cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer receiving radiation therapy: a randomized controlled pilot study.” Integr Cancer Ther. 2011 Mar;10(1):27-37.
Roscoe JA, Matteson SE, Mustian KM, Padmanaban D, Morrow GR. “Treatment of radiotherapy-induced fatigue through a nonpharmacological approach.” Integr Cancer Ther. 2005 Mar;4(1):8-13.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.