Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis [Paperback]

James L. Oschman (Author), Candace Pert (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0443062617 | ISBN-13: 978-0443062612 | Edition: 1

This book, written by a well-known scientist with a background in biophysics and biology brings together evidence from a range of disciplines to provide an acceptable explanation for the energetic exchanges that take place in all therapies. It addresses a growing interest in the field of mind-body medicine and the role of natural "energy forces" within the body in maintaining normal health and wellbeing. This in turn has lead to interest in how these energies or forces may be channelled to assist in healing and the restoration of normal health.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Energy Medicine provides an exciting and challenging read for anyone who may be interested in or curious about the therapeutic aspects of energy. It provides a stimulus to discussion among both the sceptics and those who are already convinced of the healing potential of body energy.

About the Author

James L Oschman, PhD, Previously Postdoctoral Fellow, Neurobiology Lab, VA Hospital, Pittsburgh; Visiting Scientist, Dept of Zoology, Cambridge University, UK; Postdoctoral Fellow, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Postdoctoral Fellow Inst of Biological Chemistry, University of Copenhagen; Asst Prof of Biological Sciences and Director of Electron Microscope Lab, Northwestern University, Illinois; faculty member and lecturer in anatomy and physiology at Rolf Institute, Boulder, Colorado; served as Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Acting President and member of Faculty at New England School of Acupuncture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 1 edition (May 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0443062617
• ISBN-13: 978-0443062612
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Internal Medicine > Pathology > Clinical Chemistry

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

255 of 264 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars expansive, objective, thorough March 24, 2003

By J. Hill

Amazon Verified Purchase

The problem with many books on all types of energy healing are the moments when well-meaning but hopelessly uninformed authors try to explain the "why" of their practice. Why does energy healing work? What is the physiological mechanism for this phenomenon? While authors whose practice is informed by their psychic knowledge (Barbara Brennan, Rosalyn Bruyere, etc.) are certainly valuable, James Oschman is successful in this book because he is first and only a scientist. He has no agenda to defend the validity of energy healing at all costs. In fact, you get the sense that he would be just as happy DISproving the phenomenon. And his objectivity in showing that in fact there IS a scientific basis for the practice is what makes this book absolutely priceless.

The topics covered are surprisingly far-ranging. I was even skeptical of some of the chapter headings, but the author is so reasonable, and his claims so well-documented that even the most open-minded might find themselves taking a new look at topics they never considered. The chapters on crystal healing and the emotional impact of posture, respectively, were for me particularly fascinating. Some of the most fascinating scientific reading I've done in years.

His description of the physical body as a liquid crystalline system, the mechanics of how movement strengthens this system, and how the physical liquid crystal interacts with and is the basis for the energetic system is remarkably beautiful. There are many moments where the scientific meets the spiritual in this book and it's so beautiful.

What this book is not: This book is not an instruction manual. I noticed at least one other review seemed to say it was an instruction manual. There are no instructions as to how to practice any of the many techniques covered. The book is for people who already know how to do these things or people who don't want to know HOW but rather WHY IT WORKS. A fabulous reference for those who would like to give clients a more lucid explanation for why various forms of energy healing might work, or at least more current theories on the topic.

Worth the price of the book for the bibliography alone.

122 of 126 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Scientific Text November 6, 2000

By Brett Zane-Ulman

This book is a solid cornerstone of the bridge linking rigorous scientific theory and intuitive, energy healing techniques. I disagree with Paul Budnik's review stating that the Placebo Effect is not addressed in the book. True, it is only mentioned explicitly on page 17 (in as far as I've read so far...) but great lengths are taken to explain how a person's thought processes, including their beliefs about themselves, have a very real physical manifestation in the form of electrical pulses which generate magnetic fields which are detected by and affect the entire body.

Energy therapy such as polarity, Reiki, and acupuncture have been shown to work at the same frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum as pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. PEMF has been used by Western medicine for some time to aid in the healing of bone which is not healing on its own. (See Bassett C A L 1995 Bioelectromagnetics in the service of medicine. In: Blank M (ed) Electromagnetic fields: biological interactions and mechanisms. Advances in Chemistry Series 250. American Chemical Society, Washington DC, pp 261-275)

All in all, a fascinating and thorough exploration of an important, emerging field. A must for anyone involved in or curious about bodywork, energy work, or any form of medicine.

106 of 111 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional compilation of research December 26, 2003

By MechEngineer

I received this book from Amazon a few days ago and am halfway through it. I'm so impressed by Oschman's compilation of research - it's provided me with countless answers I've been seeking all my life. I am a degreed mechanical engineer, and am currently getting an advanced degree in Oriental Medicine. I've also been practicing Reiki and other energy healing modalities for several years, having been drawn into these alternative healing fields because of my natural ability for sensing subtle energies ever since I was little. Until I started reading Oschman's book I never had a scientific explanation for this energy or why it was so helpful in healing others. I've always known that these energies are real but I definitely appreciate a scientific explanation for any type of energy phenomenon - it makes it much easier to explain to others who haven't had similar experiences why and how they happen. I meet a lot of people who are interested in energy healing and some who are quite skeptical of its validity. Thanks to this book, I now have a clear way of explaining what I and countless others have known all along - that energy medicine really does work. If you're simply curious about why energy medicine works, or you're a practitioner yourself and have wanted a scientific way of explaining its validity to your friends and clients, you'll definitely appreciate this book (even with the $40 price tag). Keep in mind, however, that this book will not teach you how to practice any of these energy medicine techniques - it will simply give you a very clear and easy way to explain why they work.