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Meridian Institute News
RESEARCHING THE SPIRIT-MIND-BODY CONNECTION |
In this issue:
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Colonic
Irrigation Project Begins
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Sometimes
referred to as a colonic or colon hydrotherapy, colonic irrigation is an
internal bath. The forty-five-minute procedure involves a gentle
infusion of warm, filtered water into the rectum. The water circulates
throughout the colon, dissolving and removing its contents, while the client
lies on a table. Water temperature and pressure are closely monitored
and regulated during a series of fills and releases to aid in the peristaltic
action of the colon. As the method involves an enclosed system, the
waste materials are removed without the unpleasant odors or discomfort
usually associated with enemas.
This alternative health procedure is receiving increased attention among
alternative medicine and mainstream practitioners. Colonic irrigation
has received a boost from several Hollywood celebrities who credit this
procedure with enhancing their beauty and health. Some colon hydrotherapists
make claims about the effectiveness of colonic irrigation for reducing
headaches, backaches, constipation, fatigue, bad breath, body odor, irritability,
confusion, skin problems, abdominal gas, bloating, diarrhea, and sciatic
pain. Edgar Cayce often recommended colonics as one element of a cleansing
program.
At the other end of the spectrum of opinion, many alternative and mainstream
physicians believe that colonics are not helpful for these problems, and
warn of the possibility that the procedure itself may cause infection or
colon perforation. However, little actual data is available either in support
of or against colonic irrigations.
Historical Background
Various forms of colon cleansing have been used for centuries to maintain
health and treat a wide spectrum of disorders. The modern colonic
machine was developed about one hundred years ago. Up until the late 1920's
many doctors offices and hospitals had colonic machines. In the early 1930's,
although there were still proponents of the procedure, colonic irrigation
began to fall out of favor in favor of drugs and surgery, and no scientific
research was performed. After some cases of serious illness were reported
in the late 1970s from a single clinic using contaminated equipment, mainstream
medicine came out strongly against colonics.
With the resurgence of interest in alternative medicine and natural
healing, colonic irrigation has become more commonly available. Modern
colonic machines use disposable tubing to eliminate the problem of contamination.
But the block to acceptance by the wider medical community is that there
is virtually no research literature on the safety and efficacy of colonic
irrigation. The value of colonic irrigation attributed by historical
sources has either been forgotten or ignored. So while modern colon
hydrothera-pists make claims for the safety and efficacy of these treatments,
the modern medical literature continues to take a very negative view of
colonics (Ernst, 1997).
Colonic Irrigation Research Project
Meridian Institute has begun a project studying the process of colonic
irrigation. The first phase of the project involves collecting data
on people's experiences just after a colonic session and one week later.
The brief questionnaires contain items that may relate to bowel health
or the colonic irrigation procedure, including: energy level, abdominal
discomfort, rectal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, headache,
anxiety, muscle discomfort, depression, joint pain, skin blemishes, and
intestinal gas.
The specific aim of this project is to evaluate the experiences of people
receiving colonic irrigations. The primary hypothesis is that colonic irrigation
is a safe health procedure and that this will be reflected in a low incidence
of adverse experiences and a high level of positive experiences.
Secondarily, some preliminary data will be collected to explore whether
the procedure offers some benefit. This project is a first step toward
establishing safety and efficacy in a formal way.
We will be collecting data from clients of the A.R.E. Health Services
department in Virginia Beach. Based on our preliminary data samples,
we hope to have completed a research report on Phase 1 of this project
by the end of this year.
Reference
Ernst EJ. Colonic irrigation and the theory of autointoxication: a triumph
of ignorance over science. J Clin Gastroenterol 1997;24:196-8.
GOLD AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO NEUROLOGIC/GLANDULAR
CONDITIONS
We are pleased to announce the publication of an article titled "Gold
and its Relationship to Neurologic/Glandular Conditions in the International
Journal of Neuroscience. The paper provides a conceptual and
historical review of the medicinal use of gold.
Despite increasing sales of gold supplements, and claims of benefits
for neurological and glandular conditions, gold has received little attention
in modern medical literature except as a drug for rheumatoid arthritis.
Historically, however, gold had a reputation as a "nervine," a therapy
for nervous disorders.
A review of the historical literature shows gold in use during the 19th
century for conditions including depression, epilepsy, migraine, and glandular
problems including amenorrhea and impotence. The most notable use of gold
was in a treatment for alcoholism developed by Leslie E. Keeley, M.D. In
the modern medical literature, gold-containing medicines for rheumatoid
arthritis are known to have occasional neurotoxic adverse effects. There
are also a few studies suggesting a role for gold as a naturally occurring
trace element in the reproductive glands. One small recent study demonstrated
a possible positive effect of gold on cognitive ability. There is a need
for more experimental and clinical research into the neuropharmacology
and neurochemistry of gold, and exploration of gold's possible role as
a trace element.
Reference
Richards DG, McMillin DL, Mein EA, Nelson CD. Gold and its Relationship
to Neurologic/Glandular Conditions. International Journal of Neuroscience
2002;112:31-53.
MASSAGE FOR LOW-BACK PAIN
The Research Institute for Work and Health has completed a review of
studies (randomized or quasi-randomized trials) on the efficacy of massage
for non-specific low-back pain. Low-back pain is a common and costly
musculoskeletal problem in modern society. Advocates of massage therapy
claim it can minimize pain and disability, and speed return to normal function.
The two reviewers searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials
Register, HealthSTAR, CINAHL and Dissertation abstracts through May 2001
with no language restrictions. The reviewers were blinded to authors, journal,
and institutions. They assessed the methodological quality using
the criteria recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group. The studies
were analysed in a qualitative way due to heterogeneity of population,
massage technique, comparison groups, timing and type of outcome measured.
Nine publications reporting on eight randomized trials were included
in the analysis. Three had low and five had high methodological quality
scores. Massage was compared to an inert treatment (sham laser) in one
study that showed that massage was superior, especially if given in combination
with exercises and education. In the other seven studies, massage was compared
to different active treatments. They showed that massage was inferior to
manipulation and TENS; massage was equal to corsets and exercises; and
massage was superior to relaxation therapy, acupuncture and self-care education.
The beneficial effects of massage in patients with chronic low-back pain
lasted at least one year after the end of the treatment. One study comparing
two different techniques of massage concluded in favour of acupressure
massage over Swedish massage.
The reviewers conclude that massage might be beneficial for patients
with subacute and chronic non-specific low-back pain, especially when combined
with exercises and education. However they noted that more studies
are needed to confirm these conclusions and to assess the impact of massage
on return-to-work, and to measure longer term effects to determine cost-effectiveness
of massage as an intervention for low-back pain.
Reference
Furlan AD, Brosseau L, Imamura M, Irvin E. Massage for low back
pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;(2).
"SENIOR MOMENTS"
The radial appliance is an energy medicine device recommended by Edgar
Cayce to work with the body's "vibratory energies." The appliance
looks like a battery but produces no measurable energy. Cayce said
it works more like a magnet that draws energy from one part of the body
where a metal plate is attached and redistributes the energy via another
plate attached to another area of the body. When a solution jar is
included in the circuit, Cayce said that the vibratory signature of the
ingredient could be carried into the system. Gold chloride and silver
nitrate were two of the more common substances used in the solution jar,
especially for neurological conditions (see gold article cited in the Publication
section).
Here is an anecdote provided by a woman who was experiencing "senior
moments" and decided to try the radial appliance with gold and silver to
improve her memory.
"Off and on over the past five years I have had moments when I couldn't
remember the name of something, or someone's name. But about nine months
ago it became harder to think and remember what happened yesterday or last
week. It felt like something wasn't connecting in the brain. It was
different and I knew it was serious.
"I called David [McMillin] and asked him how to use the Radial appliance
with the gold and silver and he very kindly helped me.
"After the first cycle of 4 days, I could feel a shift beginning to
take place. My mind felt clearer and sharper. It slowly improved and by
the 16th day (4 cycles) I felt normal again.
"It actually felt better than normal. I could remember details, people's
names, etc etc. It felt like everything was new again.
"I am doing my second cycle after nine months because the clarity and
sharpness are beginning to fade a little and I don't want to fall back
to the place where I had been.
"It is exciting to know that something can be done and as one ages,
one does not have to experience 'senior moments.'"
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