Polarity therapy

Domain XII · Complementary, energy & biofield · Randolph Stone · 1947

What it is

APTA describes polarity therapy as a biofield (energy) therapy developed by Randolph Stone (1889–1981), a doctor of osteopathy, naturopathy and chiropractic who combined Western training with Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, yoga and meditation. A 2015 Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) overview dates…

Format

• APTA's 2018 practice analysis describes six domains of a session, which serve as phases:
• Prepare for the session: clean, comfortable space; practitioner self-awareness; a neutral, aligned attitude; "clearing" the practitioner's own field (attributed concept).

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• APP (Associate Polarity Practitioner): 155 hours (120 class hours plus 35 hours of sessions given and received). Entry level; APTA notes many licensed professionals take APP or RPP to add polarity principles to existing work.
• RPP (Registered Polarity Practitioner): 675 hours in total, including APP: theory 30, energy-model anatomy 20, orthodox anatomy and physiology 100, energetic evaluation 25, energetic touch 150, communication and facilitation 60 (half didactic, half guided personal exposure), energetic nutrition 25, stretching postures 25, ethics and law 10, business 30, electives 25, plus personal sessions received from a BCPP (15),…
• BCPP (Board Certified Polarity Practitioner): about 800 hours, adding supervised practice and passing the Polarity Therapy Certification Examination. APTA endorses independent professional practice only by BCPPs; continuing education of at least 15 hours every two years is required.

Evidence status, as the guide reports it

• Cover, in plain language and in writing: (1) polarity therapy is a complementary, energy-based approach and is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment; (2) its energy concepts come from the method's own tradition; (3) what it involves: clothed, on a table or chair, light to firmer…

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve intense or unusual breathing? Have you been told about the medical conditions for which that is not advised?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• As 4.12. Working: client chooses the practice freely and reports it helps them settle.
• A rushed move to the table. Working: the client visibly settles and can state what they want from the session.
• Pain, dizziness, strain, perfectionism or self-punishing exercise. Working: client reports ease and uses the posture as a regulation tool.
• Compliance masking fear; delayed reactions after the session (ask next time). Working: the client can stop touch freely and their window of tolerance widens.
• Over-reading findings or linking them to illness. Working: findings help choose the mode and pace of work, and the client experiences the check as respectful.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.