National Theta Healing's cancer cure

Theta Healing is a magical finger therapy invented by Vianna Stibal, who idly boasts that it cured her of cancer. I've complained about the practice several times before.

(Image credit)

The latest scam comes from Catherine Shaw and Kiwiroa Marshall, the unwholesome duo pictured above. Their new website claims to be

"The official website for all certified practitioners and courses within the UK"

Here in the UK, Theta Healing practitioners often forget that it's illegal to advertise a cure for cancer. Take this handout (available here, here and here), for example:

"Theta Healing was founded by Vianna Stibal in 1995. A naturopath and intuitive reader, Vianna discovered that the simple technique she used in her readings could heal physical diseases instantly. She healed herself of cancer instantly and went on to heal thousands of other people's illnesses."

A similar claim appears a second time on another page:

"In 2007, Elaine [Cole] suffered a serious road accident which revealed Lymphoma (a cancer). Chemotherapy failed and in May 2008, Elaine was given "weeks maybe months" to live... A healing with Vianna Stibal in 2009 saw the cancer retreating..."

These dangerous delusions soar to new heights on the couple's website.

"Vianna has successfully worked with such medical challenges as genetic defects, Hepatitis C, Epstein bar, AIDS, Herpes, tumours, a variety of cancers and many other numerous conditions."

No doubt Catherine and Kiwiroa will have plenty of time to perfect their Theta Healing skills while they're completing their prison sentences. Two ASA complaints follow.

HANDOUT COMPLAINT

"I'm writing to complain about a handout for National Theta Healing, which I picked up from their own stall at the 'Mind Body Spirit' exhibition in London on 26th May.

The handout promotes Theta Healing, which the advertisers claim can cure cancer.

1. "Theta Healing was founded by Vianna Stibal in 1995. A naturopath and intuitive reader, Vianna discovered that the simple technique she used in her readings could heal physical diseases instantly. She healed herself of cancer instantly and went on to heal thousands of other people's illnesses."

I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claims that Theta Healing can be used to cure cancer "instantly", that Theta Healing can be used to "heal physical diseases instantly", and that Stibal has healed "thousands of other people's illnesses" using Theta Healing.

2. An insert in the handout contains the following text.

"In 2007, Elaine [Cole] suffered a serious road accident which revealed Lymphoma (a cancer). Chemotherapy failed and in May 2008, Elaine was given "weeks maybe months" to live... A healing with Vianna Stibal in 2009 saw the cancer retreating..."

I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that Vianna Stibal cured Elaine Cole's cancer.

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general."

WEBSITE COMPLAINT

"The website makes a number of health claims which I suspect are misleading.

1. http://www.nationalthetahealing.co.uk/about-thetahealing.html

"Use of the Theta Healing® technique has healed, changed and transformed the lives of many thousands of people around the world."

I challenge whether the claim that Theta Healing has "healed...many thousands of people" can be substantiated.

2. http://www.nationalthetahealing.co.uk/about-thetahealing.html

"The Theta Healing® technique (formerly called The Orian or Orion Technique) is not specific to any age, sex, race, colour, creed or religion. Anyone with a belief in the Creative Force can access and use the various parts of the Theta Healing® methodology. It enables the body to conquer physical illness and remove emotional blockages."

I challenge whether the claim that Theta Healing "enables the body to conquer physical illness" can be substantiated.

3. http://www.nationalthetahealing.co.uk/about-thetahealing.html

"Professionally, Theta Healing® is being used by a wide range of Professionals as a powerful supplement to their existing practice. Many have now incorporated Theta Healing® into their existing toolkit and are achieving amazing results."

I challenge whether the phrase "amazing results" is misleading.

4. http://www.nationalthetahealing.co.uk/about-vianna-stibal.html

"In 1995 Vianna Stibal - a Naturopath at the time, Massage Therapist, Intuitive Reader and mother of three young children, was diagnosed with cancer that began quickly destroying her right femur (thigh bone). Everything she tried using conventional and alternative medicine failed. Then she discovered that the simple technique she had been using in her Intuitive Readings could heal physical ailments instantly. She tried her new discovery on herself and her cancer was cured instantly. Her right leg, which had shrunk several inches, returned to normal length and size. She was instantaneously healed."

I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claims that Theta Healing can cure cancer "instantly" and cause bones to change size.

5. http://www.nationalthetahealing.co.uk/about-vianna-stibal.html

"Through thousands of clients she has discovered an amazing way to connect with the creative energy that moves in all things, and that this energy can be changed instantly. She also discovered that our beliefs and feelings can often be linked to illness. Vianna has successfully worked with such medical challenges as genetic defects, Hepatitis C, Epstein bar, AIDS, Herpes, tumours, a variety of cancers and many other numerous conditions."

I challenge whether any of these claims can be substantiated, whether they are misleading, whether they are irresponsible, and whether they may discourage essential treatment.

I have captured screenshots of the website, available at the following urls:

http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=6FHk6jrhUt

http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=2T527tPRUH

I confirm that I have no commercial interest in the outcome of this complaint."