A Bioptron color therapy device with lenses

Chromotherapy, sometimes called color therapy or colorology, is an alternative medicine method. It is claimed that a therapist trained in chromotherapy can use color and light to balance energy wherever our bodies are lacking, be it physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental. Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... Shortcut: WP:NPOVD Articles that have been linked to this page are the subject of an NPOV dispute (NPOV stands for Neutral Point Of View; see below). ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 485 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,304 × 2,847 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 485 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,304 × 2,847 pixels, file size: 1. ... Alternative medicine has been described as any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as chiropractic, homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in the traditional medical curricula taught in the United States and Britain.[1] Alternative medicine practices are often based in belief systems not derived from modern science. ... Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... For other uses, see Light (disambiguation). ...

Chromotherapists claim a scientific basis for their practice, proposing that colors bring about emotional reactions in people. A standard method of diagnosis is the use of "Luscher’s color test", developed by Max Luscher (*1923) in the early 1900s. When performing chromotherapy, color and light is applied to specific areas and acupoints on the body. Because colors get associated with both positive and negative effects in color therapy, specific colors and accurate amounts of color are deemed to be critical in healing. Some of the tools used for applying colors are gemstones, candles, wands, prisms, colored fabrics, bath treatments, and colored glasses or lenses. Therapeutic color can be administered in a number of ways, but is often combined with hydrotherapy and aromatherapy in an attempt to heighten the therapeutic effect. Max Lüscher (born 9 September 1923, Basel, Switzerland) is a Swiss psychotherapist. ... Acupuncture points (also called acupoints or tsubo) are specific anatomical locations on the body that are believed to be therapeutically useful for acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture, or laser treatment. ... For other uses, see Gemstone (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Candle (disambiguation). ... The giant Galligantua and the wicked old magician transform the dukes daughter into a white hind. ... If a shaft of light entering a prism is sufficiently narrow, a spectrum results. ... For other uses, see Textile (disambiguation). ... A pair of modern glasses Glasses, also called eyeglasses or spectacles are frames, bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes normally for vision correction, eye protection, or for protection from UV rays. ... This article is about the optical device. ... For hydrotherapy in dogs, see Canine hydrotherapy. ... It has been suggested that Aromatherapy Candles be merged into this article or section. ...

History

Several findings indicate that color and light have been used for health treatments since the beginning of recorded time. Color therapy is possibly rooted in Ayurveda, an ancient form of medicine practiced in India for thousands of years. Other historic roots are attributed to Chinese and ancient Egyptian culture. In traditional Chinese medicine, each organ is associated with a color. Ancient Egyptians built solarium-type rooms, which could be fitted with colored panes of glass. The sun would shine through the glass and flood the patient with color. As late as the nineteenth century, European smallpox victims and their sickrooms were draped with red cloth to draw the disease away from the body.^[1] Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. ... For the chemical substances known as medicines, see medication. ... Khafres Pyramid and the Great Sphinx of Giza, built about 2550 BC during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom,[1] are enduring symbols of the civilization of ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was a civilization in Northeastern Africa concentrated along the middle to lower reaches of the Nile River... Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ... This article is about the biological unit. ... The word solarium (pl -lariums or -laria) is Latin and means terrace or flat housetop from the Latin word sol meaning sun. ...

Today, some therapists have a box with a mechanism that flickers light into the eyes. They report success in speeding the recovery of stroke victims and those persons who experience chronic depression.^{[citation needed]} Some therapists recommend the wearing of eyeglasses with colored lenses. Specialized shops also sell baths equipped with lamps that emit the wanted color to induce the desired effect. Chromotherapy is not bound to medicine: practitioners of Feng Shui bring specific colors into our homes and workplaces, trying to achieve optimum balance of energy. For other uses, see Stroke (disambiguation). ... On the Threshold of Eternity. ... Fēng Shuǐ (風水 – literally, wind and water pronounced fung shuway), which may be more than 3000 years old, is the ancient practice of placement to achieve harmony with the environment. ...

In the United States, color and light therapy is beginning to be recognized as a complementary system to other treatments.^{[citation needed]} In Europe, Dr. Peter Mandel, a German acupuncturist, developed a system to apply color and light to acupuncture points on the body. This so called colorpuncture is now being taught in many countries.^{[citation needed]} Acupuncture chart from Hua Shou (fl. ...

Meaning and use of colors

Health is contingent upon balancing not only our physical needs, but our emotional, mental, and spiritual needs as well. In India, a group of healers known as Ayurvedic healers associate colors with the seven main chakras, which are spiritual centers in our bodies located along the spine. (Parker, 2001) Schematic of yoga chakras drawn by Straal File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For the Naruto jutsu, see Chakra (Naruto). ...

Chakras store and distribute energy and information. Much of the information on chakras comes from the yogic teachings in India. According to these teachings, each chakra is also associated with one of the four primary elements: earth, air, fire, water.(Simpson, 2002)

There are seven of these chakras and each is associated with a particular organ or system in the body. Each chakra has a dominant color, but these colors may become imbalanced. If this happens it can cause disease and other physical ramifications. (Parker, 2001) By introducing the appropriate color, these maladies can be fixed. Below is a description of each chakra, its corresponding color, location, and physical/emotional association.

Red

First Chakra: Located at the base of the spine

This is the earth element. It can be used as a natural therapy to keep yourself healthy. The first chakra affects the legs and feet and influences walking, the anus, and elimination. Positive qualities associated with this elements are steadfastness, courage, loyalty, and perseverance. Negative qualities of a person with excess red energy could be that they are stubborn and bigoted. (Simpson, 2002)

This chakra can affect blood disorders, bone marrow, and energy depletion. It can also have an emotional impact on feelings of safety, survival, and security. (Parker, 2001)

In Chromotherapy, red is considered to be the color of life, of the glowing sun, and of fire. Red is said to increase the pulse rate, to raise the blood pressure, and the rate of breathing. Red has also been called the color of desire. Red would generally be applied to support the circulatory functions and is claimed to be used with success to combat anemia, asthma, diseases of the larynx, certain skin diseases, and chronic coughs. A person with an excess of red could express domination, physical cruelty, anger, and vulgarity. For other uses, see Red (disambiguation). ... In medicine, a persons pulse is the throbbing of a persons arteries as an effect of their heart beat, which can be felt at the wrist and other places. ... A sphygmomanometer, a device used for measuring arterial pressure. ... The circulatory system or cardiovascular system is the organ system which circulates blood around the body of most animals. ... This article discusses the medical condition. ... The larynx (plural larynges), colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production. ... Domination is a supreme or preeminate control, rule, or governing; plural dominion. ... Look up cruelty in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the emotion. ... The term vulgar originally meant of the common people, from the Latin vulgus. ...

Orange

Second Chakra: pelvis area

Being a color mixed from red and yellow, according to chromotherapists orange stands for kind-heartedness and warm-heartedness of an individual. Orange would symbolise the rising sun, and make us alert and cheerful. It is believed to affect both our bodies and our minds. Astonishing results are ascribed to the use of the color orange to treat mental illness, depressions, discontent and pessimism. Orange could be applied for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, sclerenecephaly, cardiosclerosis, loss of appetite, anemia, anorexia and digestive system discomforts (e.g., flatulence, cramps). A person with an excess of orange could express confusion, tiredness, and pessimism. See also Orange (disambiguation) for other meanings of the word. ... In everyday language depression refers to any downturn in mood, which may be relatively transitory and perhaps due to something trivial. ... Pessimists see the world as uninviting and cruel. ... // Introduction Arteriosclerosis means the hardening of the arteries in Greek. ... The appetite is the desire to eat food, felt as hunger. ... This article discusses the medical condition. ... Anorexia (deriving from the Greek α(ν)- (a(n)-, a prefix that denotes absence) + όρεξη (orexe) = appetite) is the decreased sensation of appetite. ... For the industrial process, see anaerobic digestion. ... Flatulence is the presence of a mixture of gases known as flatus in the digestive tract of mammals expelled from the rectum. ... This article is about muscular pain. ... Look up Confusion in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Confusion can have the following meanings: Unclarity or puzzlement, e. ... Fatigue is a feeling of excessive tiredness or lethargy, with a desire to rest, perhaps to sleep. ...

Yellow

Third Chakra: solar plexus - just above the belly button

In color therapy, yellow is the symbol of the sun at the horizon. Yellow is the brightest of the colors that are commonly used in color therapy. Yellow reflects light in all directions, and could therefore be able to create an impression of detachment and liberation. In naturopathy yellow is applied when trying to combat glandular diseases and diseases of the lymphatic system, and to strengthen the nervous system. Yellow is said to have effects that greatly assist metabolism and glandular activity. A person with an excess of this color could express lack of concentration, malice, and deviousness. A yellow Tulip. ... Sol redirects here. ... Horizon. ... Naturopathic medicine is the practice of assisting in the health of patients through the application of natural remedies. ... Human submaxillary gland. ... In mammals including humans, the lymphatic vessels (or lymphatics) are a network of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into tissues throughout the body. ... The Human Nervous System. ... Structure of the coenzyme adenosine triphosphate, a central intermediate in energy metabolism. ... For other uses, see Concentration (disambiguation). ...

Green

Fourth Chakra: heart

The color green is located in the middle of the color spectrum and is associated with a harmonizing effect. It would not make us quiet, but calm us in a neutral, positive sense. Green is called the color of possession and of the will to possess. Green is also considered to be the color of concentration. Among other things, the color green is applied for the naturopathic treatment of bronchitis, whooping cough, inflammations of the joints, and swellings. In addition, green is thought to have a positive influence on the treatments of cysts, eye diseases and diabetes, generally promoting the secretion processes. Green is supposed to promote relaxation of the organs and stimulate general detoxification of the body. A person with an excess of green could experience lethargy, lack of motivation, insecurity, and jealousy. Pink is a secondary color that can also be associated with the Heart chakra. For other uses, see Green (disambiguation). ... Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (medium-size airways) in the lungs. ... An abscess on the skin, showing the redness and swelling characteristic of inflammation. ... Edema (BE: oedema, formerly known as dropsy) is swelling of any organ or tissue due to accumulation of excess fluid. ... A cyst (soft c, rhymes with list) is a cloed sac having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. ... For other uses, see Eye (disambiguation). ... This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ... Secretion is the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing chemicals from a cell, or a secreted chemical substance or amount of substance. ... Fatigue is a feeling of excessive tiredness or lethargy, with a desire to rest, perhaps to sleep. ... Insecurity is either danger, i. ... Jealous redirects here. ... This article is about the color. ...

Blue

Fifth Chakra: throat

In chromotherapy, blue is the color of peace and infinity. Blue is claimed to profoundly calm and relax us. Our bodies and minds are believed to be conveyed to a state of peace, repose and softness. This acclaimed relaxing and tranquilizing property of blue is applied for relieving headaches and migraines, the pains of stomach, muscle cramps, and even liver disorders. As a general rule, the color blue is said to have a very positive effect on all kinds of pain conditions. An excess of this color in a person could bring about doubt, distrust, apathy, and melancholia. For other uses, see Blue (disambiguation). ... A peace dove, widely known as a symbol for peace, featuring an olive branch in the doves beak. ... For other uses, see Infinity (disambiguation). ... A headache (cephalgia in medical terminology) is a condition of pain in the head; sometimes neck or upper back pain may also be interpreted as a headache. ... In anatomy, the stomach is a bean-shaped hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication. ... For other uses of Muscles, see Muscles (disambiguation). ... This article is about muscular pain. ... For the bird, see Liver bird. ... Pain redirects here. ... This article is about the mental state. ... Distrust is a formal way of not trusting any one party too much in a situation of grave risk or deep doubt. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Melancholy redirects here. ...

Indigo

Sixth Chakra: lower part of the forehead

Indigo is believed to be a cooling color that develops psychic perception and intuition. It is applied in health treatments for eyes, ears, nose, and mental problems. It is also used in attempts to treat addiction. Indigo is also ascribed to have sedative and calming effects. Some chromotherapists say indigo may be useful in controlling bleeding, and treating abscesses. Sometimes the color violet also gets associated with this chakra, depending upon the practitioner's training. Indigo is the color on the spectrum between about 450 and 420 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet. ... Edgar Cayce (1877 – 1945) was one of the best-known American psychics of the 20th century and made many highly publicized predictions. ... Intuition is an unconscious form of knowledge. ... For other uses, see Eye (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ear (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Nose (disambiguation). ... Heroin bottle An addiction is a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individuals health, mental state or social life. ... A sedative is a substance that depresses the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in calmness, relaxation, reduction of anxiety, sleepiness, and slowed breathing, as well as slurred speech, staggering gait, poor judgment, and slow, uncertain reflexes. ... For the death metal band, see Abscess (band). ...

Violet

Seventh Chakra: top of the head

Practitioners name violet to be the color of the emotions and it is considered to be a meditative color. In color therapy and in particular in color acupuncture, violet is applied for treating the lymphatic system and the spleen. Violet is also used in attempts to soothe organs, relax muscles, and calm the nervous system. A person with an excess of this color could express fanaticism and domination. The color white or magenta can also be associated with this chakra, depending upon the practitioner's training. Violet (named after the flower violet) is used in two senses: first, referring to the color of light at the short-wavelength end of the visible spectrum, approximately 380–420 nanometres (this is a spectral color). ... For other senses of this word, see Meditation (disambiguation). ... The spleen is an organ located in the abdomen, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and holding a reservoir of blood. ... This article is about the color. ... Magenta is a color made up of equal parts of red and blue light. ...

Chromotherapy and pseudoscience

Chromotherapy has been highly controversial, due to the fact that it does not follow the scientific method and can be categorized as a pseudo-science. At best the idea that chromotherapy works could be described by the scientific community as a hypothesis, but it has not been tested or proven that introducing colors is actually healing these people.

Chromotherapy doesn't satisfy either the falsifiability or verifiablity conditions needed to deem an experiment valid. There are many other things besides a color of a chakra being out of line that could cause an illness and therefore cause the chromotherapy treatment not to work. There are also many other reasons why someone would get better, such as proper rest, relaxation, use of other forms of treatment simultaeously etc, that would make the chromotherapy appear to work when it actually doesn't.

In order for chromotherapy to be proved as scientifically viable, there would need to be some sort of control used in these experiments. Chromotherapy ignores cases that don't work and treats any successful case as proof that it does work. In a scientific experiment this kind of reasoning would not work. The cases that don't work must be given as much weight as those cases that do in proving the effectiveness of chromotherapy. Having a control group would also prevent against the placebo effect, which could definitely be a contributing factor in patients using chromotherapy. (Carey, 2004)

Gallery

References

1. ^ http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/15177/

1. Parker, Dorothy.(2001) Color Decoder.

2. Simpson, Savitri. (2002). Chakras for Starters

3. Carey, Stephen S. (2004). Scientific Method.

See also

• Photobiomodulation (LLLT: typically done with small lasers on acupoints; various wavelengths are used.)
• Acupuncture
• Color psychology
• Aromatherapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Aura-Soma
• Goethe
• Rudolf Steiner

Photobiomodulation also called Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), Cold Laser Therapy, Laser Biostimulation, phototherapy or just Laser Therapy, in medicine and veterinary medicine, is one of many Laser applications. ... Acupuncture chart from Hua Shou (fl. ... Color psychology is a field of study devoted to analyzing the effect of color on human behavior and feeling, distinct from phototherapy (the use of ultraviolet light to cure infantile jaundice). ... It has been suggested that Aromatherapy Candles be merged into this article or section. ... For hydrotherapy in dogs, see Canine hydrotherapy. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (pronounced [gø tə]) (August 28, 1749–March 22, 1832) was a German writer, politician, humanist, scientist, and philosopher. ... Rudolf Steiner. ...

Books

• Edwin D. Babitt: “The Principles of Light and Colour”, 1878
• Max Lüscher: “Heilkräfte der Farben”

External links

• Chromotherapy
• Luscher's color test
• A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution
• [1] Theo Gimbel/Rudolf Steiner
• [http://www.motivationaldesigns.com
• Color Psychology Tests - 24 color tests based on research since 1989.