I've been so excited to find so much material on energy medicine. The two articles are reviewed for this time are by two different PhDs. The first one is called Controversies in Energy Psychology by David Feinstein, PhD. Dr. Feinstein is coming from the position of one who used to think that energy medicine was just a bunch of hooey. He is understanding of why doctors, specifically psychologists, do not accept energy medicine as viable. However, in his efforts to show evidence for why they need to open their minds, he presents good evidence of groups of military people, suffering from PTSD, being helped with a form of energy work called EFT (Emotional Free Technique). The results were amazing! He is fighting for acceptance of energy medicine by the American Psychological Association. At this point, the group is highly resistant.

My second article was written by Beverly Rubik, PhD., entitled Energy Medicine and the Unifying Concept of Information. Dr. Rubik is a trained biophysicist. She is a leading spokesperson for research in energy work and other alternative health treatments. Since she understands the scientific side so well, she is able to present her information in a way that they would understand. She is not condescending in any way, but makes her point that the medical community needs to start looking at the body as a whole instead of a sum of its parts. Despite the very technical language I was so excited to find one more very reputable person in favor of something that I feel so strongly about.

I find people's attitudes toward alternative health care very interesting. That comes mostly because I was raised in a home where alternative was the norm. My dad was a chiropractor and it was very important to him to have the freedom to choose our care as we saw fit.

I just finished writing analyses on two articles regarding alternative choices. One was entitled "Non-traditional medicine is no Fad" and the other was Acupuncture Is Popular, but You'll Need to Pay." In the first article the author mentions many different kinds of alternative practices but focuses mostly on herbal treatments that people use. Despite the fact that she quotes several people who are working in some way with alternative things, she just doesn't seem to buy it. The thing I find most concerning is her apparent need to have the government prove that everything out there is safe for people to use. I'm all for safe; however, why does it have to be the government's job? Why do so many people think that in order for something to be viable it must have the stamp of approval of the government. Evidently, because alternative medicine is becoming more mainstream, the government must save us from ourselves. Maybe I'm just highly sensitive about it all, but, for me, the attitude gets to me.

On the other hand, the second article seemed quite supportive of acupuncture. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the author went to an acupuncturist herself. I liked the way she told about positive experiences people had with acupuncture. She did mention that more medical professionals are recommending the treatment to their patients for certain ailments. That goes back to people needing approval from those big guys. (I'm sorry. Is my bias showing?) It is sad that most insurance plans do not cover alternative treatments at all. For that reason, many people will not even entertain the thought, thinking it will cost too much. The author seems to encourage people to try acupuncture, especially when she shares several ways for people to try it without it being a huge expense. In reality, for many people, results are so good that they save money in the long run.

I've changed my mind. I really thought that I could do a paper on the new health care law and stuff about that and I just can't. My heart belongs to energy work and my desire is to share the benefits of it with others. It is such a wonderful thing and can bring so much good to people when the understand those benefits. I will be able to keep up on my blog and share this information with more people. I'm excited to have this opportunity.

I've gone back to school to get my degree in psychology. For my English class I'm required to keep a blog on a subject I want to research throughout the semester. What a great way to keep this blog up, which I have not been good at doing. I decided to do my paper on the national health care. I would have rather done it on energy healing, but I wanted a topic that is easier to research. There's tons of stuff out there on the new health care and I also have strong opinions on the subject. A perfect match for an argumentative essay.

I have to say that the thoughts of the federal government having any kind of say so in my health care is very concerning to me. This is especially the case when I choose alternative ways so often. I feel that the more the government is involved in our lives, the more freedoms we lose. That is a big concern for me. The federal government has a proven track record of spending far too much money and not doing a good job. I fear "Obama-care" will be the ultimate in huge mistakes. As I write for the next 14 weeks, I will have more information to share. This is going to be an interesting adventure.