Geopathic theory

Geopathic theory, more commonly known as geopathic stress, is the belief that negative energies, or ‘"harmful earth rays", emanate from the earth and cause discomfort and ill health to those living above. . These energies are sometimes described as etheric in nature, while others maintain that electromagnetic fields are created by the distortion of the earth's vibration via subterranean running water, certain mineral concentrations, fault lines, underground cavities, and radiation sources. These negative energies are said to result in "geopathically stressed locations," which are thought by geopathy adherents to weaken the immune system and thus make one more susceptible to illness. Geopathic stress has been described as a pseudoscience.

Theory and History
Adherents to the practice of geopathy trace its history back to Ancient China, where intended building sites had to be confirmed free of "earth demons". Western interest in geopathic stress can be dated to 1922, when Alfred Watkins claimed to have discovered a network of energy lines, termed ley lines, covering England. These supposed energy lines are thought by adherents to cause geopathic stress. Russian inventor George Lakhovsky, who coined the term geopathy, was the first to claim that geopathic stress causes the human body to vibrate at much higher frequencies than normal. He believed that this vibration could affect the immune system, making people sleeping or working in geopathically stressed locations more susceptible to viruses, bacteria, environmental pollution and parasites.

Geopathic practitioners maintain they can identify stress locations through the process of dowsing, which involves the use of pendulums or rods in locating areas of increased energy, water veins or other areas of radiation. Monitoring the movements and behaviour of either the pendulum or the rods then purportedly reveals the places in which geopathic stress is strongest.

Geopathic practitioners use a number of devices to locate and correct areas of supposed geopathic stress. The multi-wave oscillators (MWOs), first introduced by Lakhovsky, will supposedly correct vibrations in geopathically stressed areas. Vega testing, a modified form of acupuncture, is also claimed to have the ability to detect geopathic stress, but its use as a diagnostic tool has been banned in Canada and the U.S. as unscientific and leading to inappropriate treatment.

Role in disease
Many geopathic practitioners and some mainstream physicians in Europe ensure that their most seriously ill patients' homes are screened to rule out geopathic stress. Geopathic stress is considered by these practitioners as a determinant in cancer, asthma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatism, onset of AIDS, tuberculosis and meningitis, and to play a part in depression, miscarriage, birth defects, SIDS and many nervous conditions.

In 1985 Dr. Veronika Carstens, wife of former German Federal President Karl Carstens, published a study stating that there were 700 cases documented worldwide where terminal cancer patients had regained their health without any conventional treatment after their sleeping area had been moved from a geopathic stress zone to one in which there was no detectable geopathic stress.

In 2003, the British General Medical Council found Dr Michelle Langdon, a general practitioner, guilty of serious professional misconduct for using geopathy and homeopathy in the treatment of an 11-month old.

Patents
Many patents about protection against geopathic stress are in the classification A61N1/16 of European Patent Office ep.espacenet.com

Citations and References

 * 1) Gordon, Rolf (1999). Are You Sleeping in a Safe Place? (6th Ed.) London: Dulwich Health.