Things that are claimed to possess "energy" have existed from time immemorial, but as with other healing methods that have not undergone the rigor of scientific analysis and proof, like health foods and spiritual healing, neither East nor West lacks in erroneous ideas being inherited and passed on from generation to generation.
號稱具有「能量」的東西，自古以來源源不絕，但就像其他未經科學證實的各種療癒方法，如保健食品、靈療等，中西方都不乏以訛傳訛的情況。