Dear Melissa:

I cannot recommend Dr. Issam Nemeh because he proposes and practices what is called  Meridian Regulatory Acupuncture. It is called "Scientific Acupuncture". Great marketing. Use the word "Scientific" and people listen, even if it is the same 'ol hogwash.

It is standard practice amongst these Oriental or Indian cosmologies to claim scientific grounding in order to tell their wares to the Western World. Transcendental Meditation, for example, is nothing more then Hindu meditation wrapped in scientific language to make it attractive to Americans.

I used to practice acupressure, a kind of acupuncture but without needles. It was said back then, in the early eighties, that scientific evidence existed of these so-called meridians. There was not evidence then, and no evidence now.  Meridians filled with invisible energy fluid does not exist.

According to Dr. Nemeh's website:

Meridian Regulatory Acupuncture (MRA) is different from traditional Chinese acupuncture. MRA consists of two parts, a diagnostic procedures and a treatment procedure. The diagnosis involves measuring the electrical resistance of the body at different points on the skin, known as meridian points. These measurements are graphed and interpreted by the doctor to develop a treatment plan for the meridian points of the body. This treatment is performed with a small, single needle that is temporary inserted at various meridian points of the body, usually for just a few seconds. This tiny needle is used to deliver a small, painless flow of electricity through the meridian point it is inserted into, lowering the excitation threshold for nerves while increasing blood flow.

Does the term "gobbledygook come to mind in reading this? This is nothing more than a new twist to Chinese acupuncture. It is claiming the very same thing that is claimed by Chinese acupuncture, but performing it in a slightly different way. For those who are unaware of the issues and the nature of acupuncture and other Chinese alternative medical techniques, this description might sound interesting. All I can smell here is "snake-oil."

How is the "electrical resistance of the body at different points on the skin, known as meridian points" suppose to diagnosis disease? How is causing the flow of electricity into non-existent meridians heal anything? Where are the independent scientific studies for this?

The purpose of acupuncture/acupressure as well as various kinds of martial arts, yoga, and some mediation is to free any energy blocks in the body so that the body's energy (Ch'i) may be in one with the universe. Nonsense. At best it is quackery, at worse such things can open doors to the demonic.

Now, with that said, there is scientific evidence that acupuncture can reduce pain. The needles do release endorphins in the body. But, studies have shown that this method is no better than traditional pain control drugs. In certain cases, however, where the drugs are contraindicated, acupuncture therapy for pain reduction may be useful.

There is also some evidence that sufferers of Asthma have been helped by acupuncture. Stroke victims have shown some improvement in physical rehabilitation. None of these positive effects, however, has anything to do with non-existent meridians.

Whenever anybody claims that a single technique cures wide and broad spectrum of disease and conditions, one need to run, not walk, away from such a snake-oil salesman.

Acupuncture can have some limited results on a limited number of conditions. It is not, however, a miracle cure, and certainly not a cure-all.

For interest sake, here is an article from the Cleveland Magazine about Nemeh.

Bottomline: I would not allow this man to "heal" me, even though he claims to have healed people with some conditions that I share.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary