Clinton Ober

Jury is still out on this one, it would be interesting to find some scientific tests done on this, I was saying throughout reading this that the plural of anecdote isn't data. It might be a great thing, it might be snake oil but it sounds like it merits research.

Basically the idea is that we have divorced ourselves from contact with the earth and it's ability to earth us and we're running around with two much electricity in our bodies that really needs to go to earth. We are in a situation where we need help with this and our enterprising authors have developed grounding sheets, particularly for use in beds.

Still folks, the plural of anecdotes isn't data.… (mere)

This is an important book. Implementing its suggestions could vastly improve your health, perhaps be life-saving.

Earthing/grounding is a natural method by which we can prevent or relieve many, perhaps all, health challenges.

When we connect with the Earth, our body “becomes suffused with negative-charged free electrons abundantly present on the surface of the Earth.” Our modern way of life has created an electron deficiency in our bodies, thus disturbing both our immune system and all other body systems.

The benefits of Earthing include:

1) defusing the cause of inflammation and improving or eliminating the symptoms of many inflammation-related disorders
2) reducing or eliminating chronic pain
3) improving sleep
4) lowering stress
5) thinning blood, thus improving blood pressure and flow
6) increasing energy
7) relieving muscle tension and headaches
8) lessening hormonal and menstrual symptoms
9) dramatically speeding healing and helping to prevent bedsores
10) reducing or eliminating jet lag
11) protecting against health-disturbing electromagnetic fields
12) accelerating recovery from intense athletic activity

All would be well if only we wore shoes that did not separate us from the “energy and feeling” of the ground, but this is sadly not the case. The only “shoe” that preserves our connection to the Earth is the original moccasin.

The book describes how Clint Ober, who worked in the cable-TV industry, discovered the benefits of Earthing, devised his own primitive Earthing products and tried them out on friends and acquaintances. Their healing effects were astounding. Sometimes dramatic improvement occurred after only 20 minutes or so.

Basic methods of Earthing presently available are:
1) first and foremost, going outdoors and placing your feet directly on the Earth for 30 minutes at a time
2) use of a ground tool or specially designed wall plug to connect to “conductive floor mats, chair pads, sheets, mattresses, and common electrode patches to earth individuals indoors while sleeping or sitting”.

The book includes numerous case histories of various formerly severely plagued individuals whose symptoms and ailments improved dramatically after being earthed.

Ailments/diseases documented as having been reduced by earthing include arthritis, autism, back pain, inflammation of the blood vessels, electrosensitivity, fibromyalgia, jet lag, mixed connective tissue disease, MS, sciatica, sleep apnea, stress, varicose veins and bad circulation, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, menopausal problems.

There are chapters devoted to the feminine connection, the sports connection, earthing and indoor pets (pets too can of course derive considerable benefits from earthing), while appendices address technical notes on grounding and earthing methods and the physics of earthing.

In conclusion, this is an extremely well-written, exciting, absolutely readable, ground-breaking (no pun intended), scientific, health-improving, potentially life-saving book.

One of the co-authors, Steve Sinatra, is a cardiologist, so the chapters penned by him present a medical approach.

I personally have been grounded for a couple of months or so, and my sleep instantly became much deeper, and I feel more rested when awakening.

I would strongly recommend that everyone read this book. Earthing will (perhaps greatly) improve your quality of life, unless you are one of the few who constantly walk barefoot, and it is about time that we all become informed of its gifts.… (mere)

Clinton Ober is the author of Earthing, The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? Simply put, earthing is the term Ober has given to describe the phenomenon when humans make a connection to the earth with their bare skin.

Given our bodies are somewhat electrical - our brain, heart, muscles cells and body systems function electrically - and the earth resonates with its own energy levels, when our body comes in direct contact with the earth, it equalizes to the same energy level as the earth. Ober also calls this grounding and being grounded.

Ober claims that most people no longer have regular contact with the earth; many of us live in high rise apartments and work in towers of glass and concrete. We walk around wearing shoes made of rubber and plastics and many of us don't have regular contact with the earth, walking barefoot in the grass, or on the beach etc.

Ober is convinced that this loss of connection with the earth, could be partially responsible for the increase in the number of patients with illnesses, diseases and chronic pain. I must admit I did get a little lost in much of the science and medicine behind the theory of earthing - which was the fault of the reader, not the author - however, what I did take away from the book was his claim that earthing reduces inflammation, and by earthing and reducing inflammation, patients suffering from some illnesses, injuries and chronic pain can be helped and healed.

The book contains many case studies, testimonials and articles from Doctors and specialists, including the two co-authors. I was interested to read for instance that teams from the Tour de France had been sleeping in Ober's earthing bags since 2007 and had reported dramatic increased recovery rates.

Ober understands that this discovery is still relatively new, and the health industry will require study after study before it is universally accepted as a means of treatment.

Personally, I think earthing will eventually be categorised as a method of alternative medicine or healing (like acupuncture) if it isn't already. Big pharmaceutical companies certainly won't want Doctors telling their patients there is an alternative to drugs and surgery that is free and available to every person, regardless of their financial or socioeconomic background. There is a lot of money to be made preying on the sick and the infirm, particularly if their condition is ongoing.

I was excited by Earthing, The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? for personal reasons, and it seemed to make sense to me, but I'll let you make up your own mind about it.… (mere)