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Posted on: April 27, 2009 8:00 AM, by Orac
Tong Ren? The utter quackery that is Tong Ren has invaded my hometown? I'm sure regular readers probably remember that I've written about Tong Ren before, in which I referred to it as an "unholy union of acupuncture and voodoo." I stand by my characterization. If you don't believe me, look again at this description of Tong Ren from its originator himself:
In a typical therapy session, the Tong Ren practitioner uses a small human anatomical model as an energetic representation of the patient, tapping on targeted points on the model with a lightweight magnetic hammer. The practitioner directs chi to blockage points corresponding to the patient's condition, breaking down resistance at these points. As blood flow, neural transmission, and hormone reception are restored, the body is then able to heal.
An unholy union of acupuncture and voodoo is an excellent description of this "healing" technique. In essence, a practitioner, sometimes with the help of an entire class, focuses his "intent" on the acupuncture doll and then taps the various "meridians" while chanting. Don't believe me? Look at the videos in my original post on the subject, which show an even more credulous news reporter swallowing without an ounce of skepticism everything that Tom Tam (yes, that's his real name), the acupuncturist from the Boston area who came up with the concept behind Tong Ren, laid down. You'll also see a disturbing testimonial by a pleasant Asian woman who claims that Tong Ren cured her breast cancer, even though she underwent considerable "conventional" therapy for it.
All at $75 a pop. That's right. Linda Kent, the acupuncturist who does the Tong Ren therapy at this spa charges $75 for 50 minutes. I tell ya, I'm in the wrong business. Of course, I do have my skepticism and my sense of morals; I could never go the woo route. On the other hand, apparently Kent believes totally in the woo that is Tong Ren, saying:
"energy medicine is the new medicine for this century." The tapping supposedly transfers energy to her clients to help alleviate ailments like allergies."
Hi Dr. Orac,
We read your most recent article. It is a nice and
exciting message. Your message really encourages all of the Tong Ren
practitioners who you called voodoo or woo practitioners. Please don’t be
too nervous and angry, we, the Tong Ren practitioners are not the Martians who
invaded the Earth. I hope you don’t feel like running away as the people
in New Jersey
did to escape the invasion of the Martians.
Don’t fear us because we have “invaded” your hometown. In
fact, if you really pay attention, you can see how fast Tong Ren healing is
growing in the whole world, not only in your hometown. Many of the famous
singers from Motown are also members of our group.
Don’t be jealous, Linda Kent only charged $75 for 50minutes, to bang a
voodoo doll. It is too cheap! If the people do not have money, they can join
our website broadcast healing, or the conference call healing if they cannot
physically join our Guinea Pig classes.
You are lucky that you didn’t choose Tong Ren for your business. You are
a surgeon. For one cut, how much do you charge and make per procedure?! Last
year, in America
the number one money maker was the surgeon. I told my children, not to do Tong
Ren, but rather go to medical school to be surgeons. Guaranteed you make good
money and high honor.
Another reason you are nervous is because as there are more Tong Ren
practitioners in the world, less people will need to get cut, saving more money
for the tax payers’ pockets. It is good for our financial crisis.
I would like to tell you one more piece of good news. Tom Tam has been selected
and placed on the Top Ten list of the Quakometer. This is good news for us,
because we are not with you guys in the same group. Tom is very proud to be the
number one voodoo on the list. He had two cans of Budweiser to celebrate this
honor.
Already Tong Ren healing is spreading to the whole world. I know you cannot
sleep well. Take care of yourself. Surgery cannot help people sleep, but
anesthesia can. I know you don’t want anesthesia to help you sleep, if
you accept or want to try a Tong Ren treatment to sleep well we will help you
free of charge. Why not?!
Hope you relax and sleep well.
Sincerely
Del
I know
Tong Ren is real Woo without any doubt, even Tom Tam never deny it. But I
wonder how come so many people want to bang the voodoo doll and give up to see
their doctors? Many people want to be a surgeon who can make the best salary in
this country. Also, many people want to bang the doll without making nothing,
and carry a voodoo name. The world is too strange. I still cannot understand
it.
Hope some day there are no more Tong Ren, also no more sickness if the doctor
can help.
Posted by: confused guy | May 20, 2009 1:04 PM
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/01/how_not_to_do_a_study.php
