Earthing therapy

Within the sphere of fringe science, earthing or grounding is a practice which proponents claim provides an array of health benefits.[1] The therapy involves being in direct physical contact with the ground or with a device connected to electrical ground.[2][3] A study conducted by Dr Stephen Sinatra, Gaétan Chevalier and James Oschman and published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine claims that earthing increases the charge on red blood cells to reduce blood viscosity.[4] A further followup article by James Oschman and published in the same Journal claimed health benefits included normalization of cortisol and improved sleep.[5][6] However, the claims rely on poorly designed studies that lack sample sizes large enough to be significant.[7] An objective evaluation published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine of the degree of current exchange between the earth and a grounded human body was found to be small, on the scale of nanoamperes, and did not appear to reflect information beyond subject motion.[3] Robert Lahita, a rheumatologist and microbiologist, calls the claims of health benefits "really wacky. I don't even hesitate to say that's really crazy."[8] Some of the proponents also appear to have a substantial commercial interest in the therapy.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kroschel, Steve (Director) (August 8, 2014). Heal For Free (Motion picture). Haines, Alaska: Gaiam TV.
  2. ↑ Chevalier, G (2015). "The effect of grounding the human body on mood". Psychological Reports. 116 (2): 534–42. doi:10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5. PMID 25748085.
  3. 1 2 Chamberlin, K; Smith, W; Chirgwin, C; Appasani, S; Rioux, P (2014). "Analysis of the charge exchange between the human body and ground: Evaluation of "earthing" from an electrical perspective". Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 13 (4): 239–46. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.10.001. PMC 4241473Freely accessible. PMID 25435837.
  4. ↑ Chevalier, G; Sinatra, S. T.; Oschman, J. L.; Delany, R. M. (2013). "Earthing (grounding) the human body reduces blood viscosity-a major factor in cardiovascular disease". The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 19 (2): 102–10. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0820. PMC 3576907Freely accessible. PMID 22757749.
  5. ↑ Oschman, J. L. (2007). "Can electrons act as antioxidants? A review and commentary". The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 13 (9): 955–67. doi:10.1089/acm.2007.7048. PMID 18047442.
  6. ↑ Oschman, J. L. (2008). "Perspective: Assume a spherical cow: The role of free or mobile electrons in bodywork, energetic and movement therapies". Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 12 (1): 40–57. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.08.002. PMID 19083655.
  7. ↑ Johannes, Laura (19 May 2014). "Will getting grounded help you sleep better and ease pain? Products aim to connect people to the Earth". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Earthing: Go barefoot for better health?". Fox News Magazine. Fox News Channel. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Weil, Andrew (8 January 2013). "Is there anything to "Earthing"?". Ask Dr. Weil: Q&A Library. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
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