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Acupuncture
Angelic Healing
Animal Communication
Antaneea Technique
Applied Psychology
Aromatherapy
Astrology
Ayurveda

abjad: Sufi system of numerology.

aboukra: Purportedly, an ancient Egyptian "healing art" that strengthens and balances the body's "natural energy fields" and "meridians."

absent healing (absentee healing, distance healing, distant healing, remote healing, teleotherapeutics): 1. Alleged treatment of a patient not in the practitioner's vicinity through magic, meditation, prayer, "spirit doctors," or telepathy. 2. A form of faith healing that supposedly involves the projection of "positive healing energy."

Acceptance Acupressure Method [TM] (AAM): A variation of Emotional Freedom Techniques. The postulates of AAM are that forgiveness (acceptance or "non-judgment") is the key to healing; that one is healed permanently when one "releases" all of one's grievances; that humans are sick because of unawareness of being whole; and that judgments create blockages in the judge's "energy system."

ACCESS (Access Energy Transformation): "Energy technique" that supposedly works with the "creative force" to free it and connect it to the "Light" ("us"). Allegedly, Novian, a "Being of Light," channeled the method to Gary Douglas through the Russian monk Grigori Efimovich Rasputin (1872?-1916). ACCESS theory posits: (a) 32 "Bars," points on the head that are a means of allowing the flow of bodily "energies"; (b) a "Soul"; (c) "Implants," electrical devices (e.g., a "False Immune System") inserted in another lifetime and attached "electrically" to the Soul's "energy"; and (d) "Entities," disembodied beings or "thought forms." Purportedly, ACCESS removes "energetic blocks" at cellular and "etheric" levels and enables one to reclaim "awareness as an eternal being."

acro-sage: A "combination of massage, yoga, and gymnastics," according to an edition of the TV magazine Strange Universe aired on UPN on November 29, 1996. Former circus performer Benjamin Marantz created the method. Apparently, it is a purported way to "reverse aging."

active imagery: Form of imagery (see below) that involves concentrating on a preselected image to control a particular symptom.

Actualism (Actualism Lightwork, agni yoga, Fire Yoga, lightwork): Stepwise form of yoga developed over a quarter-century by Russell Paul Schofield, a clairvoyant with doctorates in divinity, naturopathy, and psychology. It involves "the laying-on of lighted hands." Its theory posits a human "divine mind," whose "scope" is infinite, and ki (a human life force).

Actualism bodywork: Component of Actualism supposedly designed to assist awakening the body and its consciousness to the "indwelling Creator" and to the love of this alleged entity. It includes "nerve work," which purportedly helps to deepen one's enjoyment of "life-energies."

acu-ball pressure self-treatment: Form of self-applied acupressure characterized by the use of soft balls of solid rubber.

acu-diet (Dr. Bahr's acu-diet): Subject of Dr. Bahr's Acu-Diet: Weight Loss at Your Fingertips (William Morrow & Company, Inc.), by Munich-born Frank R. Bahr, M.D. The acu-diet is a combination of diets, exercises, and self-applied acupressure. According to acu-diet theory, one can influence the "compulsive eating center" in one's brain simply by massaging specific "acupressure points."

acu-meridian energy transmission bodywork: Component of the Er Mei Qi Gong Therapy External Energy Diagnosis and Treatment system.

acupoint bloodletting: Form of bloodletting characterized by puncturing acupoints with needles. Its common usage reportedly has various purposes, including activation of blood, clearance of channels (meridians), and reduction of hotness.

acu-point therapy: Mode of counseling psychology based partly on acupuncture theory and promoted by Mitchell J. Rabin, M.A.

Acu-Powder (Acupowder treatment): One of the "clinic services" offered by the School of Classical Taoist Herbology, in Manhattan (New York City). It involves application of a "remarkable" herbal powder to acupoints.

acupressure (G-jo [GEE-joh]): Any treatment that allegedly involves the surface stimulation of acupoints digitally, manually, or with tools held in the hand. Practitioners may be called "acupressurists." "G-jo" is Chinese for "first aid."

acupressure massage: Acupressure in the form of a massage (An Mo). Apparently, it is the equivalent of amma. Acupressure massage purportedly is usable to promote the flow of Qi (chi) through the "meridian system."

acupressure touch: A gentle form of acupressure.

Acuscope therapy (Electro-Acuscope therapy): Form of energy medicine (vibrational medicine) that allegedly speeds healing of virtually any injury. Its centerpiece is the Acuscope (also called the Electro-Acuscope), a computerized device that purportedly balances the body's electrical current.

Acu-Stop 2000: "Acupressure method" promoted by mail in 1993. It was a purported sure-fire way to lose at least thirty pounds, fast, and without exercise, pills, or much willpower. Acu-Stop 2000 involved keeping an "acupressure-like device" of the same name in one's right ear for a few minutes daily. Allegedly, stimulation of this "ear piece": (a) stimulates "points" in the body that regulate appetite and (b) "suppresses their activity."

Acutherapy: Form of touch therapy developed by Jim Foster and taught by the Myotherapy Institute Research Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Foster reportedly discovered that gentle touching of specific areas of the body removed pain almost magically. Acutherapy purportedly uses the body's "reflex system" and "energy flows."

acu-yoga: Combination of self-applied acupressure and a group of yogic postures and stretches. It supposedly activates the points and "energy pathways" of acupuncture.

addiction: In medicine (broadly), a condition marked by chronic compulsive fulfillment of an abnormal desire for a particular substance or action that is harmful to the fulfiller.

addictive: 1. Causing, tending to cause, able to cause, characterized by, or relating to addiction. 2. Prone to addiction.

advanced dowsing: Radiesthesia without an "instrument" (e.g., a pendulum).

Advanced Energy Healing (Robert Jaffe Advanced Energy Healing): Alleged "journey" into "higher realms" of understanding whereby one supposedly connects with one's "divine self." Taught by Robert T. Jaffe, M.D., D.D., the method encompasses aura analysis, the Awareness Release Technique, clairvoyant diagnosis, "magnetic/radiatory healing," "soul merging," and "third eye awakening."

Advanced Ingham Method: Comprehensive form of the Original Ingham Method.

advanced Kum Nye: Apparently, an alleged means of promoting confidence, power, and endurance through stimulation and transformation of bodily and mental "energies."

advanced pranic healing: Subject of a "serious reference work" of the same name, written by chemical engineer and "Grandmaster Pranic Healer" Choa Kok Sui. The method includes chakral pranic healing and color pranic healing.

advanced Rolfing: Form of Rolfing purportedly geared to clients who have undergone the basic Rolfing series of ten sessions.

African holistic health (African holistics, African holistic science, African medicine): Subject of African Holistic Health, whose fourth edition was published in 1993. The paperback's author, herbalist and massage therapist Dr. Llaila [la-ee-la] O. Afrika, developed this ethnic variation of naturopathy. Its purported design is to treat the physical, mental, and spiritual causes of "dis-ease."

Agape Quest Program: Form of kinesiology (see below) that encompasses more than twenty "modalities," including acupressure and, apparently, Bach flower therapy and/or flower essence therapy. The program allegedly "unlock[s] blockages."

Agartha Personal Life Balancing Program (Agartha Program): Thirty-five-day audiotape program created by author Meredith Lady Young. Its purported design is to reduce stress and promote "complete health." Each of the seven "harmonic" tapes combines sounds reportedly "developed" to alter "energy currents" within specific chakras. These sounds supposedly "massage" chakras and thereby improve the flow of life force through the body.

Agni Dhatu Therapy© (Agni Dhatu, Samadhi Yoga): "Hands-on" form of spiritual healing that purportedly enables the conscious to experience the "Super-Conscious" by lulling and healing the subconscious. Its theory posits "energies of bliss," "energies of joy," and "Psychic Energy Channels." Agni Dhatu Therapy includes "OMEGA Pattern Clearing work." Practitioner Cherry N. Manning has defined "agni dhatu" as "experiencing the limitlessness of your inner fires."

aikido: Spiritual discipline and self-defense method that uses grappling, throws, and "nonresistance" to debilitate opponents. The name "aikido" combines three Japanese words: ai ("union" or "harmony"), ki ("breath," "spirit" or "life force"), and do ("way"). Proponents translate aikido as "the way of unifying ki" or "the way of harmony with the spirit of the universe (or universal energy)." Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), a Japanese farmer and master martial artist, founded aikido sometime between 1922 and 1931, supposedly after a divine revelation. Ueshiba claimed supernatural power. (His surname is also spelled "Oyeshiba" and "Uyeshiba.") Practitioners may be called "aikidoists."

air pumping cupping method: Form of cupping that requires a suction device, such as an "air pumping cup."

AK/NOT program (Ferreri program): Combination of the Ferreri Technique and the Neural Organization Technique (NOT). "AK" stands for "applied kinesiology."

Alchemia: Form of channeling that allegedly involves activating "Universal Fifth Dimensional Energy."

Alchemia Breathwork: System that allegedly transforms "karmic situations" and, through "focused use" of the "Breath" and the life force, frees "suppressed energy." It includes Alchemia heart breath.

Alchemia® heart breath: Component of Alchemia Breathwork that practitioners reportedly use as an initial step toward discovering "energy blockages."

Alchemical Bodywork: Combination of Alchemical Hypnotherapy and various forms of bodywork. Its postulate is that "emotion" can become "stuck" in the body and is locatable.

Alchemical Hypnotherapy (Alchemical work): "Powerful transformative process" developed by David Quigley. Its purported design is to assist clients in working with their "Inner Guides" ("archetypes"). It apparently borrows from Ericksonian Hypnosis, Gestalt, Jungian psychology, NLP, psychosynthesis, regression therapy, shamanism, Transpersonal Hypnotherapy, and transpersonal psychology. Its theory posits a collective unconscious, "past-life memories" therein, "etheric plane communication," an "inner child," an "inner mate," and karma. Alchemical Hypnotherapy appears identical to, a variation of, or the successor to Transformational Hypnotherapy.

Alchemical Synergy®: Form of hypnotherapy whose purported goal is to develop the "optimum potential" of individuals by connecting them with their respective "inner master."

Alchemical weight management: Purported means of working with the subconscious causes of "weight release" and body image. It includes Emotional Clearing and inner child work.

Alexander Technique® (Alexander method, F.M. Alexander Technique™): A purported means of integrating one's mental, physical, and spiritual "aspects." According to its theory, maintaining alignment of the head, neck, and back leads to optimum overall physical functioning. Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955), an Australian Shakespearean actor, developed the method at the turn of the century and wrote The Resurrection of the Body. Although his original purpose was to assist voice projection, Alexander concluded that faulty posture was responsible for diverse symptoms. He posited that habitual unbalanced movement affects the functioning of the entire body, implying that postures entail behavior patterns and that bad postural habits can distort one's personality. Alexander further posited that all proper bodily movements flowed from one basic movement, the maximum lengthening of the spine, which he termed the "primary control." He stated that, in a sense, his method embraced all religions, and he posited an "all-wise" invisible "Authority" within the "soul of man." Practitioners ("teachers") of the Alexander Technique convey it by pressing manually on various parts of the student's body and simultaneously repeating key phrases.

allergic rhinitis: A condition exemplified by hay fever and characterized by allergy-induced inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes. Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include nasal congestion, nasal itchiness or rhinorrhoea (runny nose), and sneezing.

Alliance method ("traditional" Reiki, Usui System of Natural Healing; called "Hayashi" in Japan): The Usui System of the Reiki Alliance; a form of Reiki training that traces to Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a retired naval officer who became a student of Mikao Usui. Hayashi theory posits three levels of "Reiki energy."

Alphabiotic Alignment/Unification Process: A "hands-on" procedure of Alphabiotics that proponents have described as a "necessary crutch." According to its theory, those who experience discomfort the first time they undergo "the Process" especially need to undergo it.

Alphabiotics: Brainchild of Dr. V.B. Chrane, who began practicing it in the 1920s near Abilene, Texas. His son, Dr. Virgil Chrane, Jr., founded Alphabiotics as a "profession" on December 28, 1971. Its theory posits a "lesser self," a "Greater Self," and "Life energy." Practitioners are called "alphabioticists." (See "Alphabiotic Alignment/Unification Process.")

Alpha Calm Therapy: Combination of guided imagery and Ericksonian Hypnosis. It purportedly can cause a freeing of "energy" from the subconscious.

alternative nutrition (alternative nutritional treatments, alternative nutrition strategies, alternative nutrition therapies): Ill-defined group of methods that apparently encompasses Chinese herbal medicine, the Chinese System of Food Cures, and nutrient pharmaco-therapy--administration of specific micronutrients in pharmacologic doses.

Alternative 12 Steps: Nontheistic derivative of the Twelve Steps, expounded by Martha Cleveland, Ph.D., and "Arlys G." in The Alternative 12 Steps: A Secular Guide To Recovery (1992). Three of their "Steps" affirm "spiritual resources" or "spiritual energy."

Ama Deus: Reportedly, a system of healing, magic, and divination used for millennia by Guarani "shamen" in Brazil. The Guaranis are a South American Indian people.

Amanae transformational bodywork: Purportedly, a unique "Multi-dimensional healing process" that helps in "shifting out" trauma "held" in the body.

American macrobiotics: Approach to macrobiotics developed by Tonia Porter-Hugus.

amma (anma, General Massage, Pu Tong An Mo): General form of Chinese Qigong massage. Its theory posits 361 "energy points" (tsubos). An means press, mo means rub, and an mo means massage. The purported goals of amma include relaxation, improvement of blood circulation, and prevention of illness.

AMMA Therapy®: A derivative of amma and the alleged "grandparent of massage." Korean-born Tina Sohn developed AMMA Therapy in the 1960s. It involves bodywork, diet, vitamin supplements, and herbs. Supposedly, AMMA Therapy: uses "powerful energetic points" discovered by Sohn; treats the "physical body," "bio-energy," and the emotions; and frees the mind and spirit.

Amplified Energy Therapy: Form of energy healing (see "vibrational medicine") promoted by Richard Gordon. Its postulate is that people can learn to maneuver their "life-force energy" toward following the body's "innate intelligence."

ancient Christian magic: Group of amulet recommendations, recipes, and spells conveyed in a book of the same name. Apparently, the basis of this brand of magic is "ritual power."

Annette Martin training: Program that borrows from the Edgar Cayce tradition (see "The Cayce Approach to Health and Healing"). Its focus is clairvoyant diagnosis.

anthroposophical medicine (anthroposophically-extended medicine, anthroposophical therapeutics): The medical phase of anthroposophy; a purported "extension of practical medicine." It encompasses curative eurythmy. According to anthroposophy, the human organism consists of a physical body, a vegetal "etheric" body, an animalistic "astral" or "soul" body, and an "ego" or "spirit." Anthroposophical "remedies" supposedly smooth the interaction of these alleged constituents.

apitherapy (bee sting therapy, bee venom therapy): Administration of honeybee stings to treat a wide variety of illnesses. Apitherapy allegedly "unleashes" the body's "healing power." According to one theory, the "energetics" of bees and their venom is key to the method.

apple diet (apple-cleansing regimen, apple-diet cleansing routine, apple-diet regimen, apple-diet therapy): Alleged purificatory "reducing aid" inspired by the "readings" of "religious seer" Edgar Cayce (see "The Cayce Approach to Health and Healing"). The three-day regimen includes enemas and restricts food intake to raw apples (especially Delicious and Jonathan, and peeled unless they are organic), black coffee, and olive oil. Cayce recommended the diet for numerous ailments, including anemia, debilitation, and "subluxations."

applied kinesiology (AK, kinesiology): Elaborate system of ostensible diagnosis and treatment whose centerpiece is muscle testing (see below). Detroit chiropractor George J. Goodheart, Jr., developed the first AK procedure (the origin and insertion technique) in 1964. He theorized that muscle groups share "energy pathways" with internal organs and that, therefore, every organ dysfunction is discoverable in a related muscle. Testing muscles for relative strength and tone supposedly taps the body's "innate intelligence" and enables practitioners to detect specific dysfunctions. AK encompasses: "clinical nutrition"; CranioSacral Therapy; "dietary management"; homeopathy, including classical homeopathy; meridian therapy (see "Ching Lo"), especially acupressure and acupuncture; and reflexology.

apraxia: A brain disorder marked by inability or underability to move coordinately, and/or to manipulate objects, even without problems related to bones, muscles, the senses, and comprehension.

aqua acupuncture (aqua acupuncture therapy, aquapuncture, the injection therapy): Form of acupuncture that involves the hypodermic injection of substances (e.g., vitamin preparations or liquid herbal extracts) at acupuncture points, purportedly to "stimulate" them by pressure from the injected substance.

archetypal psychology: Form of psychotherapy akin to theotherapy and advanced by Jungian analyst Jean Shinoda Bolen. Archetypal psychology focuses on myths as keys to self-knowledge.

Arhatic Yoga^SM (Arhatic Yoga System): Syncretic form of yoga developed by Choa Kok Sui, an exponent of Kriyashakti, Pranic Healing, and pranic psychotherapy. Its purported design is to activate and align chakras, safely awaken "the 'sacred fires' of the body," and increase longevity. Its theory posits "golden energy," kundalini, and physical and spiritual "bodies." The Center for Pranic Healing, in New York City, defines "arhatic" as "a highly integrated human being equipped with very developed intuition, advanced mental powers, highly refined emotions and engaged in a great contribution to the Divine Plan."

Arica®: Spiritual movement founded by Oscar Ichazo, in Arica, a city of northern Chile. It includes bodywork and various breathing and meditational "techniques." The Arica School was founded in New York in 1971.

Artainment™ Component of The Human Ecology Program. It involves listening to New Age music on audiocassettes, compact discs, and/or music videos. The Artainment video titled "Freedom," an alleged supraliminal ("supersensory") experience, is the "foundation" of The Human Ecology Program. According to Artainment, music is one's "eternal friend."

ASAT™C.O.R.E. Counseling (ASAT C.O.R.E., C.O.R.E., C.O.R.E. Counseling): Purported unique "approach to facilitation" promoted by the American Society of Alternative Therapists (ASAT™), in Rockport, Massachusetts. The method allegedly heals people through "the ultimate means of all causation." Its theory posits an unlimited human capacity for "conscious creation of life." "C.O.R.E." stands for "Conscious, Ownership, Retrieval/Release and Engage." In 1996 or 1997, ASAT C.O.R.E. apparently replaced ASAT Transformational Counseling (see "Transformational Counseling").

Asian medicine: Group of "Eastern" methods that includes acupuncture, panchakarma, and shiatsu.

astanga yoga (Ashtanga Yoga, Raja Yoga): Putative prototype of hatha yoga. It involves ujaya breathing (see "ujjayi"), which purportedly helps to purify the cells and organs of the body. The Sanskrit word "raja" means king.

Astara's healing science: Form of spiritual healing advanced by Astara, Inc., a neo-Christian, interfaith church founded in 1951 by Drs. Earlyne C. Chaney and Robert G. Chaney. Earlyne Chaney is the author of Initiation in the Great Pyramid, Lost Empire of the Gods, and at least six other books. Her academic titles include "Doctor of Divinity," "Doctor of Philosophy," and "Doctor of Humanities in Spiritual and Psychic Sciences." Robert Chaney is the author of The Power of Your Own Medicine (Astara, 1995) and at least ten other books. Astara's healing science apparently encompasses absent healing, crystal healing, mental visualizations, and "scientific prayer." Its theory posits "etheric contacts" and a "White Light" with "magnetic energies."

Aston Movement: Mode of bodywork developed by Judith Aston, the founder of Aston-Patterning. One of its postulates is that bodily "patterns"--ways of moving, areas of ease, and areas of discomfort--reveal everyone's history of attitude, injury, and physical activity.

Aston-Patterning®: Form of "movement reeducation" developed by Judith Aston. Its purported design is to teach people how to live optimally in their bodies. One of its postulates is that the body wants to move in an asymmetrical spiral. With one hand, practitioners, called "Aston-Patterners," thus move connective tissue.

Atlantean Healing Ray Training: Instruction in an alleged prototypal healing system (including "Healing at a Distance"), provided by Michael E. Morgan. Morgan is a trance channeler for Yokar, "the Atlantean Scientist-priest." Atlantean Healing Ray Training theory posits "the Life Force," "spiritual energies," and "subtle bodies."

attitudinal healing: Purported regulation or maintenance of physical, mental, and/or spiritual health by taking up "proper" mental attitudes or a particular worldview. Attitudinal healing encompasses Buddhist psychology, Christian Science, A Course in Miracles, transpersonal psychology, and yogic meditation.

attunement: Lifestyle and manual "vibrational healing art" (see "vibrational medicine").

auditing (pastoral counseling, processing): Psychotherapeutic technique introduced in 1950 by L. (Lafayette) Ron Hubbard (1911-1986) in his book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The procedure is central to Dianetics and may include use of an "E-meter" ("electropsychometer"; also called the "Hubbard Electrometer"), a quasi lie detector. Practitioners are called "auditors."

aura and vibrational diagnosis: Mode of Natural and Macrobiotic Medicine that is a form of aura analysis.

aura analysis (aura reading, auric diagnosis): Supposed direct or indirect examination of the "vital energy" that allegedly envelops each human. Proponents claim that this "aura" is perceptible to clairvoyants or psychics. "Nonpsychics" purportedly can analyze it through Kirlian photography or a Kilner screen. Dr. Walter J. Kilner (1847-1920) of St. Thomas's Hospital, in London, invented this screen: two plates of glass, an eighth of an inch apart, containing an alcoholic solution of a dye (usually carmine or a coal-tar dye). "Auric" colors supposedly reveal the personal traits of the subject, such as impressionableness and "spiritual arrogance." Proponents also associate "auric" colors with glands, organs, organ systems, and psychological states such as anger and boredom.

aura balancing (aura cleansing, aura clearing, aura healing, auric healing): Multiform method characterized by purported treatment of the "energy field" ("aura") around a person's head or body.

Aura Imaging Photography (Aura Imaging): Variation of Kirlian photography promoted by Johannes R. Fisslinger, the German author of Aura Imaging Photography, Aura Mastery, and Aura Visions, and by "researcher" Guy Coggins, author of Aura Awareness: What Your Aura Says About You. Aura Imaging is a purported means of reading the "true character" of individuals. It involves using an "aura camera" that can produce instant photos. The color, shape, and size of the "auric image" allegedly can indicate specific physical, emotional, and spiritual conditions. Aura Imaging theory posits chakras ("energy centers" that correspond to endocrine glands) and "vital energy."

aurasomatherapy: Brainchild of London-born clairvoyant Vicky Wall. It is a variation of color therapy and a form of aura balancing and chakra healing.

Aura-Soma (aurasomatherapy, Aura-Soma therapy): "Holistic soul therapy" that Vicky Wall, a clairvoyant born in London, developed in the mid-1980s. It is a variation of color therapy and a form of aura balancing and chakra healing. Wall authored The Miracle of Colour Healing: Aura-Soma Therapy as the Mirror of the Soul, (HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1993). Thorsons Publishers issued its second edition in 2001.

auric massage technique: Manual adjunct to angelic healing that is a form of aura cleansing (aura balancing). Its apparent postulate is that health accompanies bodily "harmony," which results from the restoration of "harmony" to the "higher bodies" that allegedly surround the body.

auricular acupuncture (auricular acupuncture therapy): Alleged stimulation of acupoints on the auricle (the outer portion of the ear). Practitioners may base their choice of points on clinical experience, "modern medicine," the site of the disease, or the TCM theories of "Organs" and meridians.

auricular analgesia (auricular analgesic acupuncture, auricular acupuncture analgesia): Form of Chinese auricular therapy whose apparent design is to alleviate pain in fully conscious patients.

auricular diagnosis: Component of Chinese auricular therapy.

auricular magnetic therapy (magneto-therapy, magnet therapy): Component of Chinese auricular therapy that involves taping magnetic balls or pellets to auricular acupoints.

auricular massage: Component of Chinese auricular therapy that involves digitally pinching, pressing, or rotating all or part of the ear.

auricular moxibustion: Component of Chinese auricular therapy whose forms include (a) burnt match moxibustion, in which the practitioner taps one or two auricular acupoints rapidly with the head of a burnt match; (b) indirect moxibustion, a form of indirect moxabustion; (c) thread incense moxibustion, a variation of direct moxabustion; and (d) warm needle moxibustion, wherein the practitioner heats an inserted needle with a match or lighter.

auricular point injection: Component of Chinese auricular therapy that is a form of aqua acupuncture.

auricular point laser-stimulating method (laser needling): Component of Chinese auricular therapy that is a form of laserpuncture.

auricular reflexology: Mode of reflexology whose focus is the ear. Dr. P.F.M. Nogier of France "discovered" the method in 1967.

auriculotherapy (auricular acupuncture, auricular therapy, ear acupuncture): Form of homuncular acupuncture developed by Dr. P.F.M. Nogier of France. Its theory depicts the auricle (the outer portion of the ear) as an upside-down fetus with points that correspond to bodily parts. Such points number more than two hundred. Ostensible diagnosis involves examining the ear for tenderness or for variations in electrical conductivity. Treatment consists in the acupuncturing or supposed electrical stimulation of the auricular acupoint that "corresponds" to the anatomical site of the malady.

autism (infantile autism): In medicine and psychology, a pervasive developmental disorder that shows up in early childhood and is marked by repetitive movements (e.g., spinning), resistance to change, shortness of attention span, lack of eye contact, inability to treat other persons as persons, and non-seeking of comfort in times of distress.

autoregulation: "Energy approach" to panic disorders advanced by author Majid Ali, M.D., the developer of life span nutrition. It apparently includes Tissue Sensing.

auto-suggestion (self-suggestion): Form of verbal therapy wherein one repeats affirmations or suggestions until one's "body-mind" begins to act accordingly.

Avatar® (Avatar Course): "Belief management" course developed in 1987. It supposedly is applicable to problems concerning education, finance, occupation, and health. Avatar's fundamental doctrine is that people have a natural ability to create or "discreate" any reality at will. This alleged ability stems from a hypothetical part of consciousness that proponents call "SOURCE."

The Awakened Life (The Awakened Life program): One of psychotherapist Wayne W. Dyer's audiocassette programs for self-development. Wayne Dyer, Ph.D., is the author of Manifest Your Destiny: The Nine Spiritual Principles for getting Everything You Want (Harper, 1998) and the bestsellers Real Magic, Seeing Is Believing, Your Erroneous Zones, and Your Sacred Self. The Awakened Life program allegedly can teach one how to attune oneself to a "Higher Power," which Nightingale-Conant Corporation, marketer of Dyer's programs, equates with God, "Nature," and the "Life Force." The company describes The Awakened Life program as "powerful medicine" that has been helpful in the treatment of cancer, "other 'incurable' diseases," and addiction to smoking, alcohol, and drugs.

Awareness Release Technique® (A.R.T.): Component of Advanced Energy Healing. A.R.T. purportedly is a result of Dr. Robert T. Jaffe's discovery that "psychological issues" alter the "human energy field" and cause disease. Its theory apparently posits "subtle energies" and a "third eye," which enables clairvoyance. It is an alleged means of finding and "releasing" the "core" of a disease.

Awareness Through Movement®: Group form of the Feldenkrais Method.