Quantum events of biophoton emission associated with complementary and alternative medicine therapies: a descriptive pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Biophoton emission (BPE) is a quantum event characterized by a relatively stable but ultralow- rate emission of visible photons from living organisms. It has been associated with high energy processes such as: cell metabolism, growth, phagocytosis, neural activity, and oxidative stress. BPE has also been suggested to reflect the organism's global state of health as well as the response to stimulation including therapeutic interventions. If BPE changes occur as a result of various complementary and alternative medical interventions, this could prove useful to monitor both the patient's response to a specific treatment and global changes in their health status. This descriptive study attempts to identify BPE changes associated with three different chiropractic techniques that use different energetic approaches: mechanical, gravitational, and bioenergetic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The BPE was measured at the neck and/or the lower back of 3 asymptomatic adult male volunteers. The measurements were made before and after different chiropractic interventions. The treatment techniques included a high velocity joint manipulation with the aid of a drop table, Sacro-Occipital Technique, and Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique. Enough time was allotted for measurements in order to differentiate between natural fluctuation of the BPE and the changes induced by the interventions.

RESULTS: All techniques induced small (up to 20%) but statistically significant changes (p < 0.05 in one case, p < 0.001 in the other two) in the BPE. Each technique demonstrated a different pattern of BPE change that may be specific to the technique.

CONCLUSION: The intensity of BPE is a noninvasive indicator of the health of the human body and is significantly altered in different ways by chiropractic interventions. Future research is necessary to explore more features of BPE and its utility as an indicator of health, as well as the theoretical and clinical significance of these findings.