REIKI
Ranking high on the “woo-woo”
scale, reiki is an energy-healing
practice. During a session, a
certified practitioner channels
energy into a client by using
gentle touch, which is said to
activate natural healing pro-
cesses in the body. This flow of
energ y is believed to be calm-
ing, and devotees claim it
makes pain simmer down, and
even resolves insomnia and im-
proves depression and anxiety.
Reiki may at least be more
effective than a placebo, a few
studies suggest, but there
aren’t any other indisputable
gains to write home about—so
don’t rely solely on reiki for
medical issues. However, it
may somehow still put you in a
tranquil state without posing
real risk for downsides, so
most experts agree it’s fine to
try (as long as you’re not forgo-
ing other, proven interventions
you need). In other words, get
your woo on, carefully.
INFRARED SAUNA
THERAPY
With promises that sweating
your tush off in a bright, red-hot
box can do everything from
boost immunity to fast-track
weight loss, it’s no wonder spas
and even some docs’ offices
offer it. The claim: While tradi-
tional saunas run about
200 degrees and heat the air
around you, the infrared kind
hit 120 to 140 degrees and heat
your body directly, allegedly
allowing you to drip for longer
periods of time, amping up the
good feels.
Alas, those grandiose
thoughts lack convincing evi-
dence to back ’em up. Infrared
may hold some potential for
speeding up exercise recover y,
one small study suggests. But
until more research gives good
rea son to soak in infrared rays,
stick to (cheaper!) traditional
saunas, says Joe Feuerstein,
MD, an associate professor of
clinical medicine at Columbia
University. “There are studies
showing regular sauna use may
reduce your risk for high blood
pressure, cardiovascular dis-
ease, and headaches,” he says.
“While there may not be many
downsides of infrared sauna
use, there isn’t the same level
of proof to show benefits.”
RED: HOLD UP!
Think twice about
these techniques,
as they may pose
dangers.
VITAMIN VAPING
Take a few puffs from an
e-cigarette filled with B 12 and
you’ll get upwards of 10 times
the recommended daily dose of
the vitamin. If that sounds like
an ea sy way to pack your body
with nutrients, think again.
While manufacturers of these
disposable vaporizers (which
are not FDA-approved, FYI)
tend to use research to back
up claims, that supposed proof
often consists of general stud-
ies that show the benefits of
ingesting specific vitamins, and
not necessarily via vaping, says
Dr. Feuerstein. It’s not so much
that inhaling vitamins is inher-
ently harmful or beneficial. We
just don’t have confirmationThe phrase “placebo effect ” refers to the psychological
phenomenon that occurs when cues from our environ-
ment help us form assumptions that a health inter ven-
tion is working. And it may be one big reason why so
many people walk out of an integrative remedy sesh
reveling in its success.Let us explain your brain, under the spell:
You’ve done a bunch of research and heard a lot of great
reviews from your crew about a procedure. Now, you’re
at a doc’s office, with some solid expectations already in
mind. You notice a fancy university degree on the wall
behind her desk as she enters in her white coat. The very
front of your brain—the decision-maker—starts to light
up as you think, I’m in good hands. What we’re about to
do is going to help me.All this activity sends signals to your brain to release
chemicals like endorphins and dopamine that are part of
your body’s natural painkilling system—before the
health pro even lays a hand on you.These natural painkillers help you form expectations
and make decisions about whether the experience is a
win. The more of this hopeful “Heck, yeah, this is working
for me” thinking that’s going on, the more feel-good
chemicals your body releases, and the less discomfort
you have. Afterward, it’s highly likely all that positive
thinking and reduced physical pain means you leave
under the impression that it totally worked. So was it the
placebo effect or the therapy? Hard to know...and does
it matter? Do you feel better? Therein lies the magic.How
About
Placebo?