A fool and his money?

sand_hun

I'm going to preface this by saying I don't regret my choice in paying for this service.

A short while ago I broke out in a rash mainly on my arms and legs. It was intensely itchy.  I went to the GP who ordered a blood test, a referral for an allergy test and prescribed steroids and antibiotics.  Since the allergy test is at the hospital I will likely have to wait months before being able to get an appointment.

Therefore I decided to look up allergy tests in my local area. I thought with allergies being so common, that such services would be easy to come by. I was wrong. Eventually found a nutritionist that had a free slot so I went along to the appointment. She was friendly, seemingly knowledgeable and professional. Also I noted that her Google reviews were positive. However, the method used to test wasn't exactly scientific! I'm pretty skeptical at the best of times but under the circumstances I decided just to go with it.

Whilst lying down I was asked to hold various glass vials one by one in my left hand. Each one of the vials represented something e.g. whey, coffee, shellfish, eggs etc. Meanwhile I was asked to raise my right arm and hold it firmly in place. Whilst I held a particular vial in my left hand she would push on my (right) raised arm. The theory is that if it's a food/substance my body is comfortable with and can absorb easily, there would be no movement in my arm when pushed. For foods that were deemed to weaken my body (or that my body doesn't like) the theory is that my arm would be weak when pushed. Sounds crazy, right? I guess there's definitely a subconscious element at play. Sometimes she would tell me which food group/item I was being tested for while at other times she didn't say and simply took notes. The part I can't explain about this is that for certain food types when she pushed my arm (which was rested between tests) it felt weak and kind of flopped down, even if she was just using the pressure of one finger. 

Has anyone come across this method before? Could there be something to it or is it total nonsense?

Ergates

That "test" is called Applied Kinesiology and it is *complete and utter* horse manure.   It's one of the most blatant forms pseudoscience quackery around.

You're right that is sounds crazy, because it is.   None of it makes even the slightest bit of sense, and there is a absolutely no evidence to back up any of it's claims, which isn't surprising as they're utterly absurd.   For starters - how would your body even know what was in the glass vials - they're sealed, are you hands psychic now?  If you were *so* allergic to something you got a reaction *though* glass, I think you'd have noticed by now.

Also - literally anybody can call themselves a nutritionist, it means nothing.

You've been taken for a ride. That person may have seemed charming and professional, but they're nothing but a charlatan.  They will not and *cannot* help you.

ssparks2003

There is slightly less than absolutely zero basis in science that this works. Allergy tests are blood tests, you have been sold snake oil. 

Alderbank

I would not dignify this rubbish as 'medical advice'.

However I am sure that the OP is aware of the Forum Rules including Rule 2. Posting content which forbids discussion of medical advice.

Ergates

Alderbank said:

I would not dignify this rubbish as 'medical advice'.

However I am sure that the OP is aware of the Forum Rules including Rule 2. Posting content which forbids discussion of medical advice.

We can't ask for or give specific medical advice (e.g. we couldn't offer diagnosis for the OPs symptoms - other than "go see a doctor"), but I don't think this falls into this category.   They asked for advice/opinions about a particular form of alternative diagnosis - rather than about the diagnosis.

Also, as you say, this *isn't* any more medical diagnosis than someone reading your tealeaves.  Probably a lot more expensive though.

soolin

Not just quackery but potentially dangerous as well. I was very ill many years back , a ‘friend’ insisted on doing those tests on me as she believed we shouldn’t trust the NHS , told me I was allergic to various things like almonds. Unfortunately 2 days later I was admitted to ITU with an extremely serious and life threatening illness. Thank goodness I didn’t believe one word of the whole arm resistance nonsense. 

sand_hun

The thing that disappoints me about this is that how can someone in good conscience go about giving nutritional advice that impacts the way someone might live their life? While the word 'allergic' wasn't specifically used, I was told to avoid yeast extract entirely (bakers yeast, not brewers) and to cut down on coffee, MSG & artificial sweeteners.

TBH I took the whole thing with a pinch of salt anyway. Guess I'll wait for my skin/blood tests and see what comes up.

Ath_Wat

sand_hun said:

The thing that disappoints me about this is that how can someone in good conscience go about giving nutritional advice that impacts the way someone might live their life? While the word 'allergic' wasn't specifically used, I was told to avoid yeast extract entirely (bakers yeast, not brewers) and to cut down on coffee, MSG & artificial sweeteners.

TBH I took the whole thing with a pinch of salt anyway. Guess I'll wait for my skin/blood tests and see what comes up.

The same way people can "in good conscience" break into a pensioner's house and steal their savings.  Conscience doesn't enter into it, they are dishonest, selfish people who care nothing for the well being of others.

You should regret paying for that "service" as you've just poured your money into the pocket of someone who was laughing at you all the way through and still is.

Aylesbury_Duck

It has as much scientific basis as homeopathy, i.e. none at all.  Unfortunately, homeopathy has taken hold and its "remedies" are widely available in supposedly reputable high street chains such as Boots and Superdrug, so don't feel bad that you've been taken in.  If an entire industry can sustain itself in high street stores with absolutely no scientific or medical evidence base, you shouldn't feel bad for being caught out when trying to get a solution to something that must drive you to distraction.

Pollycat

Ergates said:

Alderbank said:

I would not dignify this rubbish as 'medical advice'.

However I am sure that the OP is aware of the Forum Rules including Rule 2. Posting content which forbids discussion of medical advice.

We can't ask for or give specific medical advice (e.g. we couldn't offer diagnosis for the OPs symptoms - other than "go see a doctor"), but I don't think this falls into this category.   They asked for advice/opinions about a particular form of alternative diagnosis - rather than about the diagnosis.

Also, as you say, this *isn't* any more medical diagnosis than someone reading your tealeaves.  Probably a lot more expensive though.

It doesn't fall under 'Consumer Rights' either.
The OP has no consumer rights issue.

It is a thread that is more appropriate to Health & beauty board.

Ditzy_Mitzy

sand_hun said:

The thing that disappoints me about this is that how can someone in good conscience go about giving nutritional advice that impacts the way someone might live their life? While the word 'allergic' wasn't specifically used, I was told to avoid yeast extract entirely (bakers yeast, not brewers) and to cut down on coffee, MSG & artificial sweeteners.

TBH I took the whole thing with a pinch of salt anyway. Guess I'll wait for my skin/blood tests and see what comes up.

Take that pinch of salt and throw it over your shoulder.  Don't put it in whatever you're going to eat.  There you go: free nutrition advice!  

You've been had, unfortunately.  Best thing to do is forget about it and move on.