LB writes: "I have a relative in my family who is a trained physical therapist. I have noticed that she talks about organs "having certain emotional energy" These energies give way to our illnesses in our bodies.  She has even been able to sense that a patient had an abortion years earlier, causing her uterus to retain the trauma inflicted to it.  Many people admire her ability to release this negative energy from her patients.  I worry that this seems very new age. In all other areas of her life she is an outstanding catholic. She has been trained in cranial sacral therapy, holistic healing, too. Any thoughts?"

What your relative is practicing comes from a Taoist belief that positive and negative emotions are associated with the internal organs.

As this website explains, in traditional Chinese medicine, which is based on the existence of a universal life force, the primary emotions of fear, anger, joy, anxiety and sorrow are each associated with a pair of organs in the body, and is also linked to one of the five elements of wood, fire, earth, water, or metal.

"Excess of an emotion can cause disease in the associated organ," the site explains. "The elements are interconnected, so that an imbalance in one will cause disharmony in another."

For example, water is linked with the kidneys and bladder. Harmony between these organs and the element of water results in strong willpower and endurance, whereas disharmony results in fear.

The spleen and stomach are connected to the earth element. If in harmony, it results in good concentration and analytical skills as well as compassion. Disharmony manifests as anxiety.

The lungs and large intestines are associated with the element of metal. Harmony in this area results in optimism and the ability to live in the moment. Disharmony results in sorrow.

Obviously, these beliefs are based in the pantheistic belief in a universal life force that allegedly permeates all living things. This worldview is not compatible with Christianity.

Because none of these theories is based in science, the use of them would constitute what is known as superstitious medicine.

I noticed that your relative is also involved in cranial sacral therapy which is considered to be a pseudoscience.

Physical therapy is a solid profession but I'm afraid that just like what is happening in the field of therapeutic and sports massage, it is becoming infiltrated with half-baked New Age practices. For obvious reasons, this can only lead to a downgrade in the quality of service being offered to patients, and poses spiritual risks as well.

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