The New Age has made huge inroads into the healthcare industry, especially in the area of self-help "cures" in the form of everything from pills to chi machines. However, New Age miracles are usually more hype than fact, which is why consumers would be wise to review new guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on how to spot a fraud before it costs them their money - and their health.
What should a Catholic do when they encounter a wellness organization that presents itself as Catholic and yet promotes Eastern meditation techniques, naturopathy, homeopathy, and other New Age modalities? Can a Catholic healthcare provider really have it both ways?
DD writes: "I just heard about the Cefaly band that is being used by doctors in Europe to help cure migraines. Is this based on real science, or is it just another one of those New Age shams?"
JG writes: "My friends really believe in the use of SoulCollage cards and refer to them to better understand themselves and to guide them before making any major decisions in their lives. What are these cards and is it okay for Christians to use them?"
(Image courtesy of Wikicommons, Yeza, CC BY-SA-4.0)
PW writes: "Could you please tell me if the Tens Machine is any way a New Age modality? I have severe chronic pain, and it has been suggested that I use this, but I have felt instinctively that it is New Age and I thought I once saw you wrote or said something about this."