Placebo effect...really?

[orezok]

I have a story, but it's in the opposite direction. A number of years ago, my wife father went in for his annual physical. The found something and after a few additional tests, it was determined to be cancer. He had no pain and was just as active as before. My wife wanted to see him and planned a trip to the east coast. While in good spirits the evening before she arrived he stated "Liz is coming tomorrow isn't she?" He went to bed and died that night. He was a strong willed man and we believe that he didn't want my wife to see him as he was "dying". We believe that he willed himself to die.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It leaves those left behind numb, but I hope I go in similar fashion. A friends father dropped dead, going from the kitchen to the living room with a bowl of corn flakes. Probably heart attack, I don't remember. The dozens of trips to hospitals and specialists, all for naught in the end, doesn't appeal to me.

I wouldn't mind exploring all manner of alternative practices. But why do they are charge Lawyers rates?

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Similar to you, I have a couple B.S. degrees in science.
I have no idea if Bio-Ray bracelets work, don't work, work sometimes, etc... but I'm fascinated by stuff like this. The stuff science hasn't proven or explained, yet the anecdotal evidence (might) be there. This would include things like water witching, maybe even ghosts, Bigfoot, etc...

I think the scientific method (in establishing what "facts" and "reality" is ) has its faults and limitations.

This may be a simplification, but it only accepts "facts" and says "this is how reality works" when things are repeatable and thus predictable. I believe there's still a lot of natural phenomena that is so rare, or we don't understand ALL the conditions that create it (and thus can't repeat it in a scientific study) that a lot of phenomena gets dismissed.

I have the gift to "witch water". Although I have never had anyone dig a well, I can find manholes, water lines, sewer lines, underground electric lines, and overhead electric lines. I have used the green stick, and found it works, and I have the iron wire that works great. The effect is real.

 

[bcp]

My gift is more limited. I can find only overhead electric lines.



Bruce

 

[oosik]

I have my BS in biology. My Masters is in Environmental Science. I wish I could find somebody with one of those bracelets. There is something "wrong" with the cartridge & tendons in my left shoulder. At times it takes Hydrocodone to ease the pain - to H*LL with getting any sleep. I sure don't understand the bracelet but would be willing to try just about anything when my shoulder goes "south".

 

[bigtiller]

I worked with an old timer in the 70's that wore a thick copper band around his wrist to knock down the arthritis pain. It worked for him and he seldom took it off.

 

[jbrumberg]

Similar to you, I have a couple B.S. degrees in science.
I have no idea if Bio-Ray bracelets work, don't work, work sometimes, etc... but I'm fascinated by stuff like this. The stuff science hasn't proven or explained, yet the anecdotal evidence (might) be there. This would include things like water witching, maybe even ghosts, Bigfoot, etc...

I think the scientific method (in establishing what "facts" and "reality" is ) has its faults and limitations.

This may be a simplification, but it only accepts "facts" and says "this is how reality works" when things are repeatable and thus predictable. I believe there's still a lot of natural phenomena that is so rare, or we don't understand ALL the conditions that create it (and thus can't repeat it in a scientific study) that a lot of phenomena gets dismissed.

I have a couple of degrees in Psychology and spent +30 years in the field. The mind is a powerful organ; more powerful than can be readily explained. Personally I believe in the placebo effect; there is/was a lot of "decent" research related to the placebo effect and there does appear to be a correlation between belief in treatment and the treatment's effectiveness. That also applies to "talk" therapies. The more we understand the mind and cognitive functioning the more we find out what we do not know. I saw/experienced stuff that could not be explained by our current understanding of physical science.

 

[MossRoad]

I've had very good success with physical therapy for my back, legs and shoulder several times over the years.

 

[Diggin It]

A lot of people are convinced I have a degree in BS.

 

[jbrumberg]

PT worked for me as well; chiropractic, homeopathic treatment and acupuncture worked also. When I got sick I utilized both homeopathic and medical treatment. As it turned out the specialists and the homeopathic practitioners were saying the same stuff; but saying it differently as it related to my illness and treatment remedies.

Diggin It- I resemble that remark.