While reading an alternative health magazine, I came across an interesting comment in an editorial column. In the column, a local chiropractor mentioned that metal body piercings are typically inserted at prime accupuncture points, and can block energy, disturb meridians, and cause long-term heath problems.

Intellectually, this made sense. But I wanted to find out more, so I went online. I discovered a very interesting article about metal rings, body piercing and health. The author writes:

"It is a little known fact, that metal anywhere on your body negatively affects your health. How can that be?

In his article, "Chinese Lessons for Modern Chiropractors" Dr. George Goodheart, the father of Applied Kinesiology spoke of his discovery called the Antenna Effect. He found that it is possible to tape a small metal ball onto an acupuncture point and accomplish longer term stimulation to that point. These little BB's are now called AcuAids and are used by thousands of doctors daily. This was an important discovery. Like those tiny BB's, any metal that is constantly on a given point on the human body may cause problems. The critical factor is where the points are located on the body.

"Perhaps two of the most important energy centers in the body are two areas where people are now commonly starting to pierce their bodies. One is the tongue. This is where the meridian for the central nervous system and its counterpart, the governing system, meet. Some people put a stud right in the middle of their tongue. My body cringes when I think of the harm they are doing to themselves energetically.

[My comment: According to a Chinese accupuncturist, piercing through the tongue depletes spleen Qi (energy) and can eventually lead to muscle wasting later in life.]

"A more common area of body piercing is the navel. This is right on the meridian for the central nervous system. The central nervous system is responsible for just about every single functioning part of your body. So if you have metal on your central meridian this can obviously have all kinds of effects on all kinds of different parts of your health. One [may] never realize the problems relate to the stud on the navel.

"The navel area is also very important for another reason. If you ask people who do martial arts, you will learn that this area is called the “hara”. This is your main power center. If you want to do martial arts you focus on this power center. If you want to pick up a heavy box, focus on this center. Any time you want to be stronger, if you feel this area, you will have more strength. Putting a metal stud there distorts and short circuits the energy.

"Wherever metal is present, it distorts the energy flow. If it is located near a meridian, it throws off the meridians and can have a small or even a large effect, especially long term on a person’s health."

Fortunately, there are no accupuncture points associated with the middle earlobe, which the majority of women (myself included) have pierced. After looking at the diagram of the ear (above), it makes me less inclined to wear earrings.