Posts Tagged acupuncture
Happy Tappers
Posted by Allan in Acupuncture, Emotional Freedom Technique, Journalism, Media, Pseudomedicine on February 17th, 2010
Ahh, to be a thirty-something minor celebrity (Sky 3 doesn’t really count, does it?), a feminist-married-to-an-Olympic-rowing-alpha-male and a hypnobirthing mother; It’s a post-modern fantasy that I think we all share. I know I like to dress up in miniskirts, have my jugs half falling out on national television and claim feminism as my agenda while cuddling up to my hubby’s big muscley muscles… but only on Mondays. Thankfully, we have a post-modern fantasist to show us what it is to have our fantasies brought into the clear light of reality.
Enter our hero of the hour, Ms/iss/rs(?) Beverley Turner, and her little excursion into something one or two of you will recognise…
“Even though I have this feeling, I deeply and completely accept myself.” Read the rest of this entry »
Got Tapped?
Posted by Allan in Acupuncture, Emotional Freedom Technique, Pseudomedicine, Skepticism on January 19th, 2010
In his first post for the MSS, Allan take a look at needle-free acupuncture and Emotional Freedom Technique…
I was so overcome with joy when I discovered what I am about to tell you that I am now writing with my eyes full of salty tears, warm and wet with emotion… Friends! I come to you with Good News!
Are you – a beautiful, delicate human soul – suffering from some sort of emotional pain, or physical ailment? Do your unique thoughts blossom as the daisies in the meadow, but often gravitate onto grave issues that induce effects from the mild melancholic to chronic, debilitating depression, perhaps interfering with your mathematical abilities? Do intrusive, perhaps obsessive thoughts on your disruptive encounters with precious friends or beloved family trouble you in your daily life, causing a phobia of lifts or dyslexia? Are the ongoing effects of war and rape pushing up your golf handicap, troubling your urination or just leaving you with an untidy room?
- Would you like to completely overcome all of these problems and many more in just minutes?
- Would you like to harness the completely unverifiable, but incredibly powerful meridian and chakra knowledge of the ancient Chinese? Then…
*shudders* For a minute there, I felt like a Chopra.
Where was I?
Ah yes! What we all really want in these twisted, perverted modern times is the ability to have all of our guilty pleasures without any of the guilt, take heart from our healthy pleasures without spending time on them, in short to have our horseshit without the pressing need for a horse. Sugar-free sweets, fat-free butter, exertion-free exercise, arsenic-free arsenic solution, cure-free cures and, of course, needle-free acupuncture.
Read the rest of this entry »
Episode #013
Posted by Mike in 10:23, Podcast, Skeptics with a K on January 14th, 2010
Welcome to 2010. Mike, Marsh and Colin return to talk about Project Pterosaur, EFT, Ear Candling and the Man in the Iron Mask. Also, the latest news from the 10:23 Campaign.
Episode #007
Posted by Mike in Podcast, Skeptics with a K on October 22nd, 2009
Acupuncture, pain pixies, breast enlargement by hypnosis and the fruit fly sexual tsunami. All this and more in the latest Skeptics with a K!
In Defence Of Conventional Medicine – View From The Vet
Posted by Redwinelover in Pseudomedicine, Quacks, Veterinary Medicine on September 21st, 2009
Conventional Medicine: Natural, holistic, and safe
As alternative medicines seem to get so much media exposure, I thought it was time I tried to explain how the conventional approach to medicine works, as I think people take it for granted without really being aware of what is involved. Alternative therapists often promote their treatments as being natural, safe and holistic, when often they are anything but that!
As a vet I believe I take a holistic approach to how I practise veterinary medicine, and approach my cases. If someone brings an ill animal into the surgery, before I examine it, I take a detailed history, which includes asking questions about the animal’s diet and lifestyle…. What food does it eat? Any recent change in diet? How many animals in the household, indoor or outdoor, and how many are showing symptoms. Any recent stress factors (e.g. moving house, people moving into or out of the home, recent kennelling, trauma, accidents or fights; major renovations). I’ll look at its previous medical history and check if it’s on concurrent medication, and check if the owners have medicated it with ‘over the counter’ or their own medication. What flea and worming treatments are being used, and when last applied. Vaccination status. Body condition. The animal’s signalment, ie breed, age, sex, entire/ neutered, all of which affect the conditions it could be susceptible to. I’ll keep in mind that very young, or old animals, as well as those that are obviously ill, may not be able to tolerate certain medications, or procedures. Read the rest of this entry »
Mind, Body, Spirit, Hand, Hook, Line and Sinker
Posted by Marsh in Pseudomedicine, Quacks, Skepticism on August 26th, 2009
Recently, I spent a little time in Edinburgh – having headed north of the border in order to sample what the fringe festival had to offer, I was wholly prepared for a few good laughs.
Which is lucky really, because sitting in a cafe on Cockburn Street (which I was assured but not convinced was actually pronounced Co-burn Street), I noticed this sign (that one there on the right. It impressed me so much, I obviously took a photo, because I’m like that).
The sign was attached to a woo-peddling establishment called (I believe) Crystal Clear – a veritable cornucopia of bullshit, which the sign doubtlessly attests to. In case you can’t read the small print, the shop offers:
Feng Shui / Tai Chi / Meditation / Ecology / Herbalism / I Ching / Dowsing / Homeopathy / Self-Improvement / Massage / Spiritual Awareness / Shamen / Zen / Buddhism / Numerology / Native American Indian Art / Therapy / Psychic Development / Acupuncture / Crystals / Complimentary Medicine / Colour Healing / Psychology / Tibetan Buddhism / Wicca / Bonsai / Tarot / Green Issues / Astrology / Aroma Therapy / Celtic Christianity / Sufism / Vegan Cooking / Divination.
A mixed bag, I’m sure you’ll agree, but at least they covered their bases. I’ve emboldened the ones that made me giggle most, because they’re so normal amongst this sea of crap. Obviously I went in, and obviously I looked for the weirdest thing I could find… Read the rest of this entry »
