By Walter Ang
December 8, 2009
Manila Bulletin
Nubla is connected with Health is In, a company that promotes products related to complementary medicine (www.health-is-in.com). To address this ingrained lack of vigilance in monitoring the status of our health, Nubla is advocating the use of the Digital Meridian System (DMS), which is a method of evaluating a person's "vital energy" level. The system indicates potential health problems and suggests alternative modes of natural therapy to help restore and balance one's energy.
"People are more receptive now to the idea of vital energy as a way to assess health, even if it's something you can't really see," he says. Nubla goes on to say that the concept of vital energy has been around for thousands of years, especially with Asian medical theories such as chi from China, ki from Japan and prana from India.
Based on science
Meridians are pathways along which the vital energy of the body is considered to flow. The meridians form a network that connects all parts of the body, such as the skin, tendons, bone, and internal organs. Disease is said to be caused by blockages or disruptions of energy flow along the meridians.
Acupuncture, acupressure and some martial arts like tai chi and qigong operate on the principle that manipulating the meridians help balance out a body's energy.
The technology behind the Digital Meridian System started in Russia as a way to monitor the health of its cosmonauts. The Russians combined ancient Chinese meridian theories and modern electronic physiology. Detailed tests were conducted in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, atomic energy medical health departments, clinics, and the military.
The test results provided the database of over a million people for the past 40 years and the data was processed by computers, proving that meridians and human organs are interrelated.
"The system eventually replaced X-rays and ultrasound monitoring for the cosmonauts," says Nubla. "Imagine how stringent the medical testing for an astronaut can be. They have to withstand great stresses in outer space such as extreme changes in air pressure. So the doctors have to make sure they are in top shape. For the Russians to use this system is a testament to its accuracy."
Preventive tool
"The Digital Meridian System can be used as a tool for early detection of illnesses," he says. The concept of the DMS may be new to Filipinos, but these kinds of systems are widely used in hospitals in China and in Europe. "When some Europeans visited our store and saw our DMS, we didn't have to explain, they were familiar with it."
While the concepts of meridians may seem alien and confusing (after all, there are as many as 20 meridians and up to 600 acupuncture points), one does not need to know anything about it to operate or use the DMS.
"It's convenient and easy to operate, it's safe and non-invasive, and it's quick?a session only takes around ten minutes," he says. "You simply move the hand-held sensor over several meridian points on the hands and feet. The program shows you a diagram so you'll know where to place the sensor."
The sensor picks up data that are then analyzed and a report is generated. The report will show an individual's vital energy status: whether low, balanced or excessive. It also identifies possible root causes of diseases while giving early detection of potential illnesses.
Once these "imbalances" and potential illnesses are listed down, the system then recommends suitable supplements (like vitamins or herbs that one can take) to help correct the imbalance. It even recommends aromatherapy scents for a user's particular needs as well as acupuncture, body massage and foot reflexology points.
Not to replace
I was able to try out the system in the company's showroom along West Avenue, Quezon City and it correctly identified my chronic upper back pain. I had not told the staff anything about my state of health prior to the procedure. My individual report suggested root causes of my body pain and recommended supplements that I should take as well as acupressure points that I could either massage on my own or as a guide for an acupuncturist or massage therapist.
Admittedly, some portions of the report (like graphs) may not be understandable right away, but the staff are very helpful and are patient with their explanations. "People who acquire the system can call us at 4160123 any time to ask for help," says Nubla.
The system comes with a hand-held sensor and a software program that will be installed in your desktop computer or laptop. If you don't own a desktop or laptop, Health is In can customize a package to include a laptop with your digital meridian system.
It's ideal for families who want to monitor the health condition of their members or for companies or organizations that would like to have a general health assessment of their employees or members.
Nubla points out that health practitioners such as doctors, acupuncturists, nutritional therapists, reflexologists, alternative, naturopathic and holistic practitioners, as well as those in the spa and wellness industry may find good use for the DMS.
"Nonetheless, this system is not supposed to take the place of doctors," Nubla cautions. "It can aid and compliment a general check-up, but it does not replace conventional laboratory tests or technology-aided diagnostic tests like MRIs or X-rays. It's simply a tool that will allow you to take your health into your own hands by monitoring how your body is functioning. We hope that the digital meridian system will promote the habit of preventive health care management."