Theta Healing Awareness Week (Part 1)

On the subject of Theta Healing, a recent visitor to the blog has written to say

"Thank you very much for the additional exposure! The more people hear about Theta Healing, the more that are likely to benefit from it. There is, as you know, no such thing as bad publicity..."

Well, I'm a big fan of Vianna Stibal's magical finger therapy, so I'm happy to help.

I've decided that this week is going to be the First Annual "Theta Healing Awareness Week".

To help publicise the event, here is some extra "additional exposure" in the shape of dozens of new ASA/Trading Standards complaints. Feel free to join in the fun!

(Image credit)

THETA HEALING UK / KRISTEN SCHMID

"The website makes a number of health claims for Theta Healing (a form of hands-on healing comparable to reiki) which I suspect are misleading.

1. http://www.thetahealinguk.co.uk/about-us/our-team

"Kristen witnessed incredible instant healings [sic] with the women in Africa that ranged from a crippled woman being able to walk without a walking stick after the healing, to a woman who was able to sleep on her side for the first time in four years after the pain of her ulcers was cleared from the healing."

I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claims that Theta Healing can cure a "crippled woman" and "clear" the "pain of ulcers".

2. http://www.thetahealinguk.co.uk/theta-healing/how-can-i-benefit-from-theta-healing

"Other areas Theta Healing can help... Addictions... Allergies... Depression... Drug Abuse..."

I challenge whether the claims that Theta Healing "can help" with addictions, allergies, depression and drug abuse can be substantiated.

3. http://www.thetahealinguk.co.uk/theta-healing/vianna-stibal

"In 1995 Vianna Stibal, a Naturopath, Massage Therapist, and Intuitive Reader, discovered that the way she did Readings could do an instant healing. Vianna, a mother of three young children, was diagnosed with cancer that was quickly destroying her right femur. Everything she had tried using conventional and alternative medicine had failed. Then she discovered that the simple technique she used in Readings could heal. Her leg was instantaneously healed. She added this healing knowledge to her sessions with clients and in the classes she was teaching."

I challenge whether the claim that Theta Healing can cure cancer can be substantiated, whether it is misleading, whether it is irresponsible, and whether it might discourage essential treatment.

4. http://www.thetahealinguk.co.uk/theta-healing/vianna-stibal

"Curious to understand why the technique was working, Vianna solicited the help of a physicist and with an electroencephalograph discovered that the simple technique tapped Theta waves. Over many years, it was discovered that the technique utilised a Theta and Gamma wave achieving an instant healing."

I challenge whether the claim that Theta Healing has been validated by science is misleading, and whether it can be substantiated.

5. http://www.thetahealinguk.co.uk/courses/disease-disorder

"This course teaches the healer how to recognize [sic] all energies as being equal and how to heal without believing that “a headache is easier to heal than cancer” (for example)."

I challenge whether the implied claim that Theta Healing can cure cancer as easily as it can cure a headache is misleading.

6. http://www.thetahealinguk.co.uk/courses/dna-3

"The Course curriculum... Changing the Molecular Structure of Water... Telekinesis - Moving [an] Object...Healing any Illness"

I challenge whether the claims that this course can teach how to change "the Molecular Structure of Water", how to move objects through telekinesis [through the power of the mind alone] and how to heal any illness is misleading.

7. http://www.thetahealinguk.co.uk/testimonials?phpMyAdmin=2b4c49778607t2bdac405

"In January 2010, a medical scan revealed a large fibroid in my womb. I was scheduled for surgery in March to remove it, and being a Theta Healing practitioner, I was determined to heal the fibroid rather than go through a major surgery. I was scheduled in for a follow-up scan in February to check the growth of the fibroid. Leading up to the scan I did extensive self-healing and also had a one-to-one session with Kris the week before my scan. I'm delighted to report that my scan was last week and it's all clear!! My doctor's words were "the fibroid is so small it's not showing up on the scan". My surgery has been canceled, everyone I know has been trying to wrap their heads around it, I am speechless!"

I challenge whether this testimonial claim of a cure for a condition requiring surgery is misleading and whether it might discourage essential treatment.

I have captured screenshots of the website, available at the following URLs:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=5UctQbzfJk
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=Tq2Dzak6Zj
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=aKuHybD9IB
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=docmauBKLP
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=9WeFhnKchv
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=8mvyxr9YBG

I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative health industry."

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JENNY JOHNSTONE

"The website makes a number of health claims for Theta Healing (a form of hands-on healing comparable to reiki) which I suspect are misleading.

1. http://www.thetahealinguk.com/can_it_help_you.htm

"What problems can Theta Healing help with?

Theta healing can help with any type of problem."

2. http://www.thetahealinguk.com/can_it_help_you.htm

"Examples of problems that Theta Healing can help with are: Shyness, lack of confidence... Stress, anxiety, panic attacks... Self-esteem issues... Depression... Relationship problems... Physical problems... Eating disorders and body-image problems... Weight control... Sexual problems... Money problems... Fear of public speaking... Compulsive behaviours... Phobias... Allergies..."

I'd like to challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate her claims that Theta Healing can "help with" depression, eating disorders, weight control, allergies or "any type of problem".

I have captured screenshots of the website, available at the following URLs:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=RARHunT9Jm

I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative health industry."

(Image credit)

ROSEMARY REBO

"The website makes a number of health claims for Theta Healing (a form of hands-on healing comparable to reiki) which I suspect are misleading.

1. http://www.dnathetahealing.co.uk/site/pages/about-rosemary.php

"In 1996 in Idaho, USA I was privileged to meet an amazing lady who has since become a dear friend. Her name is Vianna Stibal... Vianna had been diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her right leg. The biopsy took it's [sic] toll and weeks of extreme discomfort followed... The doctors claimed that the best option to save her life was to amputate her leg. However, Vianna realised that as she could heal others, so she should heal herself... she commanded a healing on herself... As time passed her leg returned to normal and there was no sign of cancer."

I'd like to challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate her claim that Theta Healing can cure cancer.

I have captured screenshots of the website, available at the following URLs:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=HAcUOGcML1

I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative health industry."

ROSEMARY REBO / ONHARLEYSTREET.CO.UK

"The website makes a number of health claims for Theta Healing (a form of hands-on healing comparable to reiki) which I suspect are misleading.

1. http://www.onharleystreet.co.uk/theta-healing/

"Theta Healing is an amazing modality which is sweeping the Nation and the World. This is the most effective healing I have found."

I'd like to challenge whether the advertiser's suggestion that Theta Healing is "the most effective [form of] healing" is misleading.

2. http://www.onharleystreet.co.uk/theta-healing/

"Sometimes, Doctors and other health care professionals work with Client’s [sic] for a long time until they run out of ideas and resources to no avail. It has been discovered that the problem often lies within a belief that is stored within the sub-conscious mind that is preventing healing from taking place. This is where Theta Healing is useful and effective because, through this method, the belief can be discovered and changed."

I challenge whether the claim that Theta Healing is "useful and effective" for conditions usually treated by "Doctors...for a long time" can be substantiated.

I'd also like to challenge whether the claim that "Doctors...run out of ideas and resources" when treating serious illnesses, because these illnesses are caused by "a belief that is stored within the sub-conscious mind that is preventing healing from taking place", and that this fact has been "discovered", might discourage essential treatment; since it seems to be implying that Theta Healing is more effective than orthodox medicine.

3. http://www.onharleystreet.co.uk/theta-healing/

"Scientific studies have been found to suggest that the Mind, Body and Spirit are all interconnected. Theta Healing works by changing the cellular structure of the body to hold new thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Each time a negative feeling or emotion is released, it is replaced with a positive belief or emotion in order to balance the body to achieve an optimum result."

I'd like to challenge whether the claim that "Theta Healing works by changing the cellular structure of the body" is misleading.

I have captured screenshots of the website, available at the following URLs:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=nVcCUq1Q31

I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative health industry."

(Image credit)

THETA MIRACLES / JILL MILLER

"The website makes a number of health claims for Theta Healing (a form of hands-on healing comparable to reiki) which I suspect are misleading.

1. http://www.thetamiracles.co.uk/thetahealing.php

"In 1995 Vianna Stibal... discovered that the way she did Readings was achieving instant healings [sic]. Vianna... was diagnosed with cancer... Everything she tried using conventional and alternative medicine had failed. Then she tried a simple technique she used in Readings and her leg was instantaneously healed..."

I'd like to challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claims that Theta Healing can cure cancer "instantaneously". I'd like to challenge whether this claim is misleading, irresponsible, and could discourage essential treatment.

2. http://www.thetamiracles.co.uk/thetahealing.php

"COMMANDING A HEALING Theta Healers do not do a ‘healing’ themselves... This can be healing a physical condition... the healer ‘commands’ the healing to take place. The healer then becomes the ‘observer’ to the healing happening. WITNESSING THE HEALING By observing the ‘healing’ taking place brings the ‘healing’ into reality..."

I challenge whether the claim that Theta Healing can "[heal] a physical condition", the claim that practitioners "command... the healing to take place", the claim that the practitioner "becomes the observer to the healing happening" and the claim that the practitioner "by observing the healing taking place brings the healing into reality" are misleading.

3. http://www.thetamiracles.co.uk/thetahealing.php

"Since Theta Healing was first discovered thousands of people have benefited from this healing system..."

I'd like to challenge whether the claim is misleading, and whether it can be substantiated.

4. http://www.thetamiracles.co.uk/thetahealing.php

"Theta Healing is the healing system of the 21st century. It takes healing to a new level... inherited conditions... can be healed..."

I'd like to challenge whether the claims "Theta Healing is the healing system of the 21st century" and "It takes healing to a new level" are misleading, because I understand there's no clinical evidence available for Theta Healing.

I'd like to challenge whether the claim that Theta Healing can heal "inherited conditions" can be substantiated.

5. http://www.thetamiracles.co.uk/thetahealing.php

"It is now generally accepted that most physical health problems are related to a belief system that the mind holds... By identifying and changing these beliefs and feelings with Theta Healing the underlying cause of an illness/disease can be removed... Once these beliefs and emotions have been corrected with Theta Healing it is possible for the illnesses and diseases to heal, in some cases instantly."

I'd like to challenge whether "It is now generally accepted that most physical health problems are related to a belief system that the mind holds" is misleading, since I understand that most health problems are not caused by negative thoughts.

I'd like to challenge whether the claims that Theta Healing can "remove" the "underlying cause of an illness/disease" and that it is "possible for the illnesses and diseases to heal, in some cases instantly" can be substantiated, and whether they are misleading.

6. http://www.thetamiracles.co.uk/testimonials.php

"...I am amazed to say that my Osteoarthritis has lessened to such a degree that I have managed to cut back on my pain medication by between 50 to 60%..."

I'd like to challenge whether the testimonial claim of an effective treatment for Osteoarthritis is misleading.

7. http://www.thetamiracles.co.uk/shop.php

"In 1995, Vianna Stibal... was diagnosed with a serious health condition. Everything she had tried using conventional and alternative medicine had failed, until she employed a simple technique... Amazed that she had cured herself instantaneously..."

I'd like to challenge whether this claim exaggerates the accuracy and scientific validity of the book.

I have captured screenshots of the website, available at the following URLs:
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=u4YpOY01fE
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=RVe7M4aO8h
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=uZc1NZeoej
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=kzkRkY7qyN
http://leicester.skepticsinthepub.org/FishBarrel/ci.aspx?id=I7x7yVzX0g

I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative health industry."