The Barefoot Doctor

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Stephen Russell
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Died(2020-01-24)January 24, 2020 [1]
Other namesThe Barefoot Doctor

Stephen Russell, who wrote under the pseudonym The Barefoot Doctor, was a practitioner and teacher of Taoism.

Contents

Work and teaching

Russell grew up in Hampstead, an area in London. On leaving full-time education Russell started to travel extensively and began to deepen his study of Taoism. He returned to London in 1983 where he ran an acupuncture practice for 17 years, as well as facilitating self-help workshops. Some of his clients included celebrities such as Madonna. [2] [3]

He wrote twenty one books, including Barefoot Doctor's Handbook for the Urban Warrior, A Spiritual Survival Guide and Pure: A Path to Peace, Power and Prosperity.

Russell was a weekly columnist for The Observer for five years. [4] [5]

In addition to giving talks, leading workshops [6] and commenting on holistic and spiritual matters, [7] he made a series for BBC UK Style named "Barefoot Doctor" which was broadcast in 2003. [3]

Criticism

Mainstream medical professionals have criticised the advice given in Russell's popular Observer column as being founded on traditional beliefs rather than science, and his books have been described as "health fiction". [4] <ref> "HealthWatch Newsletter no 45". Healthwatch-uk.org. Retrieved 29 May 2009.[ dead link ] Conversely, Russell received a lot of praise for his teaching of traditional Taoism and TCM(Traditional Chinese Medicine). He was the first to introduce infant massage to the U.K. and performed over one million acupuncture/acupressure treatments during his distinct career.

Selected bibliography

References

  1. ↑ "Stephen Russell (Barefoot Doctor) – News Desk".
  2. ↑ "The barefoot cosmic doc will see you now". The Guardian. 4 May 1999. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 Spicer, Kate (22 May 2001). "Madonna's barefoot doctor". Evening Standard. p. 57. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. 1 2 "HealthWatch newsletter 45, April 2002". Healthwatch-uk.org. Archived from the original on 30 July 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  5. ↑ Close (12 December 2004). "Inner Child Care". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  6. ↑ "Exclusive Books South Africa: Workshop Interview'". Exclusivebooks.com. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  7. ↑ Arendt, Paul (29 August 2007). "Another view -The Barefoot Doctor on Richard Dawkins' The Enemies of Reason". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
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