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JS writes: "I was baptized Catholic as a child. For the last 10-15 years, I disregarded the faith and favored eastern philosophy, even though I never stopped believing in God. I became a massage therapist about 7 years ago and also do chakra therapy. I do chakra workshops where I basically categorize life issues with the chakras and look at their psychology. . .
Can You Tap Yourself Happy?
Just Because it Sounds Holy Doesn't Mean it Is
C5 writes: "I listen to Catholic Radio and have heard that partaking in acupuncture and other alternative therapies. I have been to a natural healing center and the practitioner uses muscle testing which she says uses acupuncture ideas about energy flow in my body. That our bodies can let us know what part of our body is being challenged and what it needs to get back into balance. She uses her technique as an assessment tool not as treatment. If what she says is true then it would have to be of our God because it is amazing and miraculous. What is 'bad' about this?"
Bach Flower Remedies Just Don't Work
TC writes: "I have a question about Bach Flower Remedies. I am trying to find out if these remedies are considered New Age. I have a few books book about them which state that it “treats the individual not the symptoms / or disease. They work on an emotional condition of the person concerned.” “The effect of taking the remedies is not to suppress negative attitudes but transforms them into positive ones, stimulating self-healing.” Can you let me know what the Church teaches about this product?"
Auricular Medicine: Quackery on Steroids
Science and the Church
Nine Ways to Discern If an Alternative Therapy Is Safe for Christians
DG asks: "There are so many alternative medicine practices out there. Some of them sound very suspicious to me and refer to 'life force energy' and 'spirit guides' but some sound okay. I even know of a Catholic chiropractor who prays before treating people but he's a Reiki Master! How does a Catholic know which ones are compatible with our faith and which ones are not?"
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
CC asks: "Can you tell me if 'dry needling' is a New Age practice? I have heard a couple of people mention having had it done by their physicians in recent months and had never heard of it."
The Latest in Superstitious Fashion - Shamballa Bracelets and Matching Necklaces
If your son or daughter comes home from school one day sporting a little macrame-style bracelet with bright colored beads called a "Shamballa bracelet", it might be time for a heart-to-heart talk on how not to throw money away on worthless baubles.