Bioenergetic Assessment: Blending the Traditional With the Modern

By Dr. Peter M. McCarthy, N.D.
The science and practice of Naturopathy (the use of natural substances to help the body heal itself) has attracted many people over the years because of its safety and effectiveness in using traditional, well-proven, natural methods to maintain health. That does not mean, however, that naturopathy has not kept up with advances in technology. With the development of modern data processing methods, practitioners have an exciting new tool at their disposal to complement and enhance more traditional methods of natural health assessment.

This capability, known as computerized BioEnergetic Assessment (BEA), was originally discovered in the 1940s. A German doctor and acupuncturist named Rheinholt Voll demonstrated that measurable electrical energy was present at points along the body's acupuncture meridians which corresponded to the body's major organ systems. His pioneering research of using an Ohmmeter to measure galvanic skin resistance at these points created the assessment technique of Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV), which forms the basis for today's more advanced methods.

Dr. Voll's research was further validated in the 1970s when Drs. Darras and Vernejoul of Paris, France proved that energy is indeed conducted along the acupuncture meridians. They injected an isotope solution into various points on their subjects' bodies and traced its propagation with gamma-camera imaging. Those injection points off the meridians dissipated in the classic radial pattern. However, the injections on the acupuncture meridians propagated exactly along the classical Chinese energy pathways.

EAV took another giant leap in capability with the advent of personal computers. In addition to allowing more accurate measurement and presentation, computers permit storage of essential energetic information on the multitude of herbal, botanical and nutritional products available to the practitioner. This allows the practitioner to bioenergetically match a product or products to a particular organ system under energetic stress, thus providing a more accurate recommendation to the client. It is very important to note, however, that this procedure is not intended to diagnose or treat disease, but rather to measure the vibrational energy of the various body systems. In short, we are dealing with physics here, not chemistry.

An initial BEA session typically begins with the client completing a health and lifestyle questionnaire. This permits the practitioner to gain a fuller understanding of the client's dietary habits, lifestyle stresses, and prior health history. The practitioner then seats the client in front of the BEA equipment, usually either an Avatar or MSA equipment set. There are many assessment techniques available to the practitioner, depending upon his or her training and personal experience. One of the more popular methods involves taking measurements at 48 points, corresponding to the body's major systems, on the fingers and toes. This is accomplished using a measurement wand and exerting gentle, firm, non-invasive pressure on each of the 48 points. Each point, and its corresponding energy trace, is displayed on the computer screen; this information, along with the specific energetic properties of the trace, is stored in a client data bank for future study and comparison. It can also be displayed graphically for analysis by the practitioner.

Once the initial assessment is complete, two possible paths present themselves. If the trace patterns and questionnaire indicate a long-standing health concern, the practitioner may recommend a program of gentle cleansing of the body's drainage pathways (colon, liver, lymph system, etc.), followed by a reassessment. This allows the body to naturally decrease its toxic load, and allows the practitioner to more clearly identify the source of stress in the reassessment session. At that point, the practitioner can use the capabilities of the bioenergetic data bank to choose the optimal combination of herbal, botanical and nutritional products to address the client's specific health concern. This is accomplished by retesting the client's point of stress against a particular product or mix of products. If the retest places the test point in the normal vibrational range, the product(s) can be used successfully as part of the client's program. If the initial assessment indicates that the client is healthy, the practitioner can proceed directly to the follow on assessment phase outlined above.

There are several advantages to this assessment technique. First, it allows the practitioner to generate a quantitative picture of the bioenergetic state of the client, allowing more accurate analysis and clearer explanation to the client. Second, it permits the practitioner to more accurately recommend an optimal mix of products to address the client's health concern. If the bioenergetic information of a product does not optimize the client's scan, it is not used. This also allows the practitioner to better respect the client's possible financial constraints. Third, it permits the practitioner, through periodic reassessment, to accurately track the client's progress over time, adjusting the product mix as necessary when bioenergetic changes present themselves.

With BEA, practitioners can now combine the best of the traditional and the modern. Their clients can enjoy both abundant health and the confidence that the products they are taking will truly address their health needs.

For appointments or more information, please contact us.

© 2004 - 2006 Trinity Healing Arts, LLC
All rights reserved.


By Dr. Peter M. McCarthy, N.D. The science and practice of Naturopathy (the use of natural substances to help the body heal itself) has attracted many people over the years because of its safety and effectiveness in using traditional, well-proven, natural methods to maintain health. That does not mean, however, that naturopathy has not kept up with advances in technology. With the development of modern data processing methods, practitioners have an exciting new tool at their disposal to complement and enhance more traditional methods of natural health assessment. This capability, known as computerized BioEnergetic Assessment (BEA), was originally discovered in the 1940s. A German doctor and acupuncturist named Rheinholt Voll demonstrated that measurable electrical energy was present at points along the body's acupuncture meridians which corresponded to the body's major organ systems. His pioneering research of using an Ohmmeter to measure galvanic skin resistance at these points created the assessment technique of Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV), which forms the basis for today's more advanced methods. Dr. Voll's research was further validated in the 1970s when Drs. Darras and Vernejoul of Paris, France proved that energy is indeed conducted along the acupuncture meridians. They injected an isotope solution into various points on their subjects' bodies and traced its propagation with gamma-camera imaging. Those injection points off the meridians dissipated in the classic radial pattern. However, the injections on the acupuncture meridians propagated exactly along the classical Chinese energy pathways. EAV took another giant leap in capability with the advent of personal computers. In addition to allowing more accurate measurement and presentation, computers permit storage of essential energetic information on the multitude of herbal, botanical and nutritional products available to the practitioner. This allows the practitioner to bioenergetically match a product or products to a particular organ system under energetic stress, thus providing a more accurate recommendation to the client. It is very important to note, however, that this procedure is not intended to diagnose or treat disease, but rather to measure the vibrational energy of the various body systems. In short, we are dealing with physics here, not chemistry. An initial BEA session typically begins with the client completing a health and lifestyle questionnaire. This permits the practitioner to gain a fuller understanding of the client's dietary habits, lifestyle stresses, and prior health history. The practitioner then seats the client in front of the BEA equipment, usually either an Avatar or MSA equipment set. There are many assessment techniques available to the practitioner, depending upon his or her training and personal experience. One of the more popular methods involves taking measurements at 48 points, corresponding to the body's major systems, on the fingers and toes. This is accomplished using a measurement wand and exerting gentle, firm, non-invasive pressure on each of the 48 points. Each point, and its corresponding energy trace, is displayed on the computer screen; this information, along with the specific energetic properties of the trace, is stored in a client data bank for future study and comparison. It can also be displayed graphically for analysis by the practitioner. Once the initial assessment is complete, two possible paths present themselves. If the trace patterns and questionnaire indicate a long-standing health concern, the practitioner may recommend a program of gentle cleansing of the body's drainage pathways (colon, liver, lymph system, etc.), followed by a reassessment. This allows the body to naturally decrease its toxic load, and allows the practitioner to more clearly identify the source of stress in the reassessment session. At that point, the practitioner can use the capabilities of the bioenergetic data bank to choose the optimal combination of herbal, botanical and nutritional products to address the client's specific health concern. This is accomplished by retesting the client's point of stress against a particular product or mix of products. If the retest places the test point in the normal vibrational range, the product(s) can be used successfully as part of the client's program. If the initial assessment indicates that the client is healthy, the practitioner can proceed directly to the follow on assessment phase outlined above. There are several advantages to this assessment technique. First, it allows the practitioner to generate a quantitative picture of the bioenergetic state of the client, allowing more accurate analysis and clearer explanation to the client. Second, it permits the practitioner to more accurately recommend an optimal mix of products to address the client's health concern. If the bioenergetic information of a product does not optimize the client's scan, it is not used. This also allows the practitioner to better respect the client's possible financial constraints. Third, it permits the practitioner, through periodic reassessment, to accurately track the client's progress over time, adjusting the product mix as necessary when bioenergetic changes present themselves. With BEA, practitioners can now combine the best of the traditional and the modern. Their clients can enjoy both abundant health and the confidence that the products they are taking will truly address their health needs. For appointments or more information, please contact us. © 2004 - 2006 Trinity Healing Arts, LLC All rights reserved.