Traditional medical practice pays a lot of attention to alternative healing where the general public has access and the desire to try something new, that offers hope and results. As part of the alternative medicine domain, Tong Ren (TR) falls within the category of “energy medicine” along with Chi Gong, Reiki, therapeutic touch and magnetic therapy. Why has this type of healing spurred interest among patients and the medical community? Many patients with breast, prostate, lung and blood borne malignancies sought TR energy healing when told they were inoperable or a “hopeless case” by oncologist and surgeons alike. Patients then desperate looked at TR as giving hope and possibility of healing from the pain and suffering. In 2008, Dr Amy Sullivan, a medical researcher in the Department of Social and Behavioral Health at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, published the first observational paper on this type of healing also called “subtle energy or “biofield” as it is immeasurable or difficult to measure reliably. I am unable to draw any conclusive evidence for or against TR as a healing modality based on this cross-sectional study, as much of this is largely speculative. This study lacked objective measures of health improvements making it anecdotal evidence. The goal of this project was to observe for changes and if enough were positive to consider future study with more direct values such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood testing and so forth. Patients also sought other therapies in addition to TR. Many underwent one on one TR sessions with individual practitioners making it unclear to what extent this improvement was primarily from the weekly TR “Guinea Pig” group sessions or an additive effect. Patients undergoing cancer therapy with chemotherapy as well as radiation were included in the study along with TR making it difficult to see what type of therapy was most useful. With the evidence-based medical thinking today, there are many ways to improve on a study and survey such as this. TR offers an opportunity to analyze and study a form of healing like no other. There are multiple parameters one can use to expand upon this initial survey - since this healing method is used worldwide. I envision a large scale study where all TR practitioners and patients bring together medical reports and case histories tracking improvements and remissions. It is possible to measure blood pressure, pulse and other physiologic indicators to make an assessment as one would in the clinic. There needs to be an open- mindedness about this approach in order to prove or disprove it. The medical community needs to lift up their heads and open their eyes to what is happening around them--the truth is that patients are stepping outside the Western medical arena as it has taken away their sense of empowerment and hope. Given there were no adverse effects reported with TR, it behooves us in the medical community to explore this in more detail, despite the manner in which it is conducted, that is so counter-intuitive. At a personal level I question Tong Ren and it's validity is it direct effect or placebo? When I see the Tong Ren class and the results of improvement in patients I feel inspired that here is a healing modality be it a placebo effect, self-help or faith healing there is success in many. I continue to explore and listen to what Tong Ren offers. It changed my life and my view on medicine and healing.
There are many of criticisms of this technique and its method - I welcome these criticisms for it is only through questioning that one can prove something is effective. TR has a long way to go in order to “be proven” to heal in the eyes of Western medicine as all healing modalities have to.
Any new concept or development must create great resistance, as for example, did the invention of the computer or the first use of the automobile. “The result of successful creative work is progress”. (see Thomas Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions). Tong Ren healing is growing so fast and becoming popular in the world. Of course many of the experts don’t like it; they doubt, criticize, and even attack Tong Ren healing. We don’t need to have any argument, just need to open our minds, put our bias aside and look deeply into this healing modality as a possible sign of the future of medicine.
Sausan Campbell, M.D.
