Dear Linda,

I am currently completing my Honours B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) degree in Kinesiology. Kinesiology can be defined as the study of the anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of body movement, especially in humans.

Like any other science degree, all of our study is based upon empirical evidence or peer reviewed studies.

The meridian, is a term from Chinese medicine, which is a channel for forces to pass through. Qi, and similar "life forces" based upon Eastern mysticism and medicine are not studied in any credible science programs because as the National Institute of Health says:

There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.

If people are feeling better after this "Qi" treatment, it is either caused by evil or more likely by the human brain. A placebo effect can be very powerful. If a person rubs your back and says, "you feel better and the force is coming to you like a gentle wind" 100 times in a row, you might just end up believing it and feeling it. The results however, do not show up in the scientifically verified tests because these tests are based on evidence or progress taking place (after an injury) as opposed to what the person "feels like" after the treatment. This is why science is a valuable tool.

The skepticism that is a product of the scientific method can be valuable at times, especially to dismiss ludicrous spiritual practices that claim to be scientifically beneficial. Kinesiology, studied as a proper science, is completely in line with Catholicism as it does not entertain ideas such as "life forces". I assure you, I have never even heard of these things in University classes.

This teaching becomes more dangerous within the new age movement and Catholics who adopt these practices. Often, the new agers will often compare this life force to the Holy Spirit and think that we are arguing about terminology. They think that their energy heals people in the same way that the Holy Spirit (God) can heal people, and we must be referring to the same energy or spirit.

The deception of the new age movement is very crafty in this way. However, that impersonal life force energy rejects the Catholic notions of a personal creator and a real morality. The new agers can hide behind this "energy" definition when they want to, but also this "energy" is unconcerned with their moral well-being and they are free to live immoral, secular lives without being wrong or feeling guilty.They seem to love that philosophy.

St. Paul says in Romans 8:15b, "...you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba (Father)".

Similarly, Jesus talks about His Holy Spirit (John 15:26) in this way: 

But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me.

Clearly, the Qi of the new age is not the same as the God's own spirit which always leads to Jesus, and a Catholic chiropractor should stay away from these dangerous teachings.

From both a scientific (it's not real) and a spiritual viewpoint (it is contrary to Jesus' teachings) , this chiropractor should stay away from these meridian charts.

God bless,
Mr. Mathew