My relationship with healers has been off and on. From coast-to-coast I have needed and used practitioners skilled in spinal manipulation and massage. I’ve tried other alternatives - - acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, electromagnetic therapy, meditation, reflexology, cleanse fasting, guided imagery, and supplements (several truck loads over the years). If I had kept the money I might have a retirement account at this time. But the top of the list is chiropractic and osteopaths (before they sold out to the AMA) and the wholeness they have brought to my self-battered body.
One alternative trip I took was while living in Tennessee near the Kentucky border. Friends had talked up an Old Order Amish guy practicing iridology, a technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient's systemic health. Iridologists see the eyes as "windows" into the body's state of health. Practitioners match their observations to iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human body. Here is an iridology chart used for diagnosis:
We went to the office because I was having the beginning of prostate cancer, diagnosed by doctors in Illinois and Tennessee. I was skeptical. This is Old Order - - no electricity, no phones, horse and buggy Amish. That is why we just drove to the office. No way to make an appointment. When we arrived we noted that the parking lot was filled with late model cars.
At first when I enter the office I enjoy the banter about both of us having lived in Elkhart County, Indiana, and knowing some of the same folks. Great start. So he begins his examination. After a few minutes he says, “Looks like you had some early trauma with your lower spine.” Well, yes! I wrote earlier about birth trauma with forceps used at delivery and later high jumping onto solid earth as my landing pit! My back problems have always been a part of my story. My skepticism stands up and pays attention. Okay, what about prostate cancer? I had gone to a specialist in New York City for an exam. In the doctor’s report about my condition he used words and phrases that were also used by the Amish farmer/iridologist. Pretty amazing!
There was no fee. The Kentucky AMA branch was not supportive of this practice. However, supplements were available for every condition imaginable. I showed the bottle of supplements I had been taking for prostate health. On the bottle was a Beverly Hills, California, address. The iridologist/farmer (note farmer is second place by now) says “Interesting, I have patients that come from Beverly Hills.” Remember the late model cars parked by his horse and buggy? He had an amazing following.
A google search gives more on the Kentucky iridologist. You will find stories like mine. Here is a sampler:
https://organicholistichealth.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/our-visit-to-dr-rubin-the-amish-iridologist/
And the prostate: brachytherapy or radio active seeds for killing cancer. 17 years later prostate was removed while removing bladder. You know, you are already in there might as well take it out since it is shot full of holes anyway.
A word on Amish healers: many alternative, natural therapies are used by the Amish and related groups. One of the most interesting is brauche. The following comes from Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online:
Brauche, also called powwowing, is the practice of customary healing (from Bräuche, i.e., "customs") transplanted to America by emigrants from South Germany, Alsace, and Switzerland, and practiced by many settlers in Pennsylvania Dutch country. Powwowing comes in various forms, depending on the geographical location and cultural traditions of the community. Some Brauchers use magical words and charms as they apply their art at the bedside of the ill. Other practitioners rely exclusively on the gift of "electric" in the hand. By rubbing and massaging and even following nerve routes through the body, pain can be located and treated. Some Brauchers learn their skills from local chiropractors and manipulate the body to relieve pain and pressure. All authentic Amish powwowers agree that the art of Brauche is a gift of God and not self-induced. The practice is usually carried out in the home. Treatments are free, but a modest contribution is accepted. Brauche has been the subject of debate for centuries. It has nearly vanished in some Amish communities. Many young people know little about this healing art, except for the glowing stories handed down by their elders.
What about Chiro Quacks? I have been with so many over the years. Some good, some so-so, and a handful outstanding ones - so gifted. The one I have been with for the last 17 years is of the latter group. He is Dr. Joseph Crum, DC, in Bristol, Virginia.
Those that really don’t meet my high bar are the ones that attend a weekend workshop on iridology and want to look into my eyes, the ones that went on a Reiki retreat and now are ready to channel my energy, or to a reflexology intro with the colorful foot charts on the wall and want to play footsie and hold hands while going for the zones. These treatments may be good but not in a chiropractors’ therapy room. Give me the twist and crunch, realign my hard used spine, tune me up - - do what you learned at the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. I want the works, not some add-on from some half-assed weekend of training.
Have I gone too long, over the top, out of bounds? Look at it this way - - most readers did not have to pay for this post! I will try to calm down for next week’s post. Stick with me.
Howard,
I am sorry that I have not had my zeroes balanced! Heavens, once a week!
But look at you now. It worked. The many paths we've taken in search of wholeness has made life interesting.
I always enjoy your offbeat responses to my downbeat posts.
Hope you folks are well and enjoying a fair degree of happiness.
Rog
You got it. He only had supplements. I was real late for supplements. Needed to take action with radioactive seed therapy. Reuben, the iridologist, was a go to guy for all ailments!