Is Homeopathy a pseudo-science? Not

Homeopathy must be the buzz word of the year.

A recent bicyclist blog article used ‘homeopathy’ in a derogatory sense. And I was wondering why and how did he come to that conclusion?

Author Carlton Reid Begins with Cost Value

He says, "£175 [$252] to tell you which £3500 [$5,030] bike will fit you best? Is bike fit a science or the bike trade’s homeopathy? I attended the first European Cycle Fit School to find out."

Is Carlton Reid asking whether it is worth spending a substantial or a small amount of money to make sure your body fits in proper alignment with your vehicle?

Well, it depends. If the fit is less aerodynamic, slowing you down, and making you ill every time you get on the bike and you really love the sport, then does price matter? People do all kinds of things to feel good and get better when they are in pain. And if you find a system that works, why get all in a tizzy? When people get carpal tunnel syndrome from typing at their keyboard and the symptoms can be alleviated by purchasing an ergonomically designed keyboard, that’s the thing to do, unless it reflects a serious condition that needs further investigation and care.

Reid states, “In the US, cycle fit is a growing part of a bike shop’s repertoire. There are many methodologies available. It’s hard to ask for £175 for the ‘eye’, no matter how expert, clients now expect to be measured, scanned, and videoed.”

I’m personally not a cyclist, so this is new information to me. Realising the number of people that this system could affect makes the approach even that more profound.

Census estimates that there are between 411,000 and 750,000 people over the age of 16 who ride bicycles more miles than any other vehicle to get to work during an average week. The Bicycle Institute of America has claimed that 3.5 million ride bikes to work, and The Environmental Benefits of Cycling and Walking estimates 1.7 - 2.8 million bike commuters. If the shops are providing not only the instrument but a perfect individualized fit, maybe these new approaches can be helpful in making the ride smooth. Certainly, professional musicians shop around to find the instrument that will fit their body type in order to produce the best sound. The bicyclist, too, would want a smooth, speedy and carefree ride. He wants to feel exhilarated after a spin about the block, not crippled. Two locations that help cyclists match their body to their bike to prevent physical disruption.

• CycleFit locations in Europe and America provide excellence in training.
• Serotta Cycling Institute | Hosts an annual SICI Symposium and Exposition.

“In my experience, setting your bike position using trial and error results in more of both,” says Phil Cavell of CycleFit of Covent Garden. Two years ago I had Cavell give me a professional bike fit. It alleviated some nagging back pain when I rode, and it was (sort of) fun to watch my pedaling motion on video playback and to hear, for the first time, buzz bike fit phrases such as “the body’s kinetic chain of responses.” I was also fitted with some shims for my cycling shoes, which made my pedaling less painful on one side.. .

Here the author admits to taking advantage of professional assistance in the area of proper fit of body to bike. From simple repositioning and small adjustments in the instrument the experience results in less or no pain.

Reid further describes the development of a methodology by two specialists in custom bike building. I’m a bit unsure whether he is criticizing or promoting the utilization of the new technology, because he says the opening of new SICI bike fit schools increase recognition of cycle fitting in the UK. Then he begins comparing the reality of all aspects of the SICI bike fit apparatus with the application and results delivered.

Reid asked McGlynn …whether bike fitting was all smoke and mirrors, a pseudo-science.

The implication is that this is all like a magic show. This is where he tries to make an analogy between homeopathy and bike fit, because many people have the perception that homeopathy is a pseudo-science. Wikipedia defines pseudoscience as “a body of knowledge, methodology, belief, or practice that is claimed to be scientific or made to appear scientific, but does not adhere to the scientific methods or lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, or otherwise lacks scientific status. The term comes from the Greek root pseudo- (false or pretending) and "science" (from Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge"). An early recorded use was in 1843 by French physiologist François Magendie who is considered a pioneer in experimental physiology."

• Resource for bikers | bikeleague.org

First, homeopathy is a system of medicine founded upon fundamental laws of nature and principles stemming from scientific provings. It has been diligently practiced and tested by scientists, physicians, and people from all walks of life for over 200 years. There are encyclopedias, journals, materia medica and pharmaceutical records on remedies and their applications for healing. In my mind, there is no question that it works when applied properly, when practitioners match similar patterns and give minimum dosages. Homeopathy works from within to stimulate the body’s own healing potential to alleviate suffering.

Comparing homeopathy to a brand new ‘tool’ that makes adjustments, more analogous to chiropractic work - from the outside in physical space is not a just comparison. Where is the wisdom in jumping to conclusions when there hasn’t been enough time to properly evaluate the utilization of these tools?

McGlynn responds, “That’s a common reaction when people have no knowledge or understanding of what they’re criticizing. US stores had a similar reaction but since they started to hear about happy clients, that’s all changed. There is a bona fide science behind it. There are thousands of happy cycle fit clients out there. The technology and methodology are sound.”

So, here again, a proponent of this application says to look at the results of those using the system. You can’t knock it if you haven’t tried it. And sometimes what works for one person does not work for another person.

• Resource on YouTube | A series of informative videos by HomeopathicDana, such as Why Famous People and Cultural Heroes Choose Homeopathy

In the article, Cavell agrees that bike fitting is not an alternative therapy like homeopathy. He says it combines applied science, biomechanics, and physics and that there is a subjective element based upon the individual’s perception.

Here, you can make a comparison. Homeopathy is based upon applied science, quantum mechanics of potentization and dilution, physics of primary and secondary response, biomechanics and the individual’s unique response to the remedial substance.

And, since homeopathy has become a buzz-word in today’s vocabulary, I wonder whether everyone is asking, “should I try it?” The bicycle enthusiasts are asking if they should have a bike fit if they love cycling and it is part of their lifestyle. He almost concludes, yes, you will get a fitting.

I concur. If health and healing are part of your life, then look into homeopathy as an alternative to Allopathy; or as a preventative medicine.

• How to feel comfortable on your bike? PerformanceBike on YouTube will talk to you about How to Fit a Road Bike.

In terms of financial investment. It is hard to put a dollar amount on your health. If biking keeps your spirit high and body physically fit, then only you can determine how much you will spend. To make the investment of your time and energy in your leisure, sports or career activity the best it can be, spending a little extra can go a long way. For McGlynn, the cost of a bike fit is a technological investment. He compares the bike fit expenditure to what golfers spend on training, improving their swing and I would also add the quality of their golf clubs.

In relation to homeopathy, the remedies themselves are completely inexpensive. What you pay for is finding a qualified, experienced professional homeopath who can evaluate your symptoms and recognize the ‘homeopathic’ similimum.

Americans have heroes and superstars that they model.

Just recently Dana Ullman published his book on celebrities that have used homeopathy. In the same vein, bike fit recognizes the superstars who have found his system to be advantageous. I feel we need more recognition for the successes in the field of homeopathy.

With homeopathy, you don’t have to go to great lengths to achieve positive results. You just have to give it a chance. Be experimental in your approach. Become open minded enough to see if it works for you, or simply accept that others have found it favorable, without giving it a bad name.    Bike fitting requires minute adjustments. So does chiropractic care and the same goes for homeopathic care. Humans are complex organisms that require fine-tuning.

Reid gives an example of a painful situation. “A bicycle isn’t an instrument of torture, but sit on it for a long time in a less than optimum position and pain will result. Typical complaints are bum soreness, tingling toes, hand numbness, lower back pain, and hamstring discomfort. Knee pain is often alleviated by moving the saddle fore or aft. Neck discomfort can be resolved by moving up the handlebars, or even fitting different sports glasses or removing a helmet visor. Lower-back pain can be lessened by lowering the saddle, or cycling with the spine in a ‘neutral position’, in other words not slumped. Saddle soreness is alleviated by getting out of the thing frequently when riding. But bike fitting isn’t just about pain, it’s also about performance. Use of power meters in the bike fit lab can show how a change in position can alter performance. However, cynics point out this could be due to muscles being used in a different way, hence some initial improvement. Once muscles are conditioned into the new position, the power output goes back to the norm.”

Now, here is where homeopathy can really perform! When you give precise symptoms, general modalities of better and worse, strange, rare and peculiar characteristics, keynote sensations and etiology of the disorder, then the homeopath can analyze the case, research in the repertory and materia medica and come to a conclusion about possible healing remedies.

Thank you for giving me opportunity to respond to what appears to be a negative perception of homeopathy in a more favorable light.

• _{copyright Debby Bruck} 

Debby Bruck, CHOM is the founder of HomeopathyWorldCommunity. Debby believes that homeopathy is the wave of the future that provides hope and healing to those who have tried every other approach. Follow Debby on Twitter

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