Energy Healing: Does it Really Work?

May 24th, 2009 | by admin |

Does energy healing really work? If you ask some health researchers, you may discover that energy healing has clearly earned a prominent place in the natural healing community. According to a report by Compton Hospice [1], “the last decade has seen an increase in the integration and usage of CTs (Complementary Therapies) to conventional medical treatment,” due, in part to documented results of decreased pain perception, stress reduction, increased relaxation and an enhanced sense of overall wellbeing. These benefits have been demonstrated in those patients who are in palliative or hospice care.

Energy healing techniques, such as Reiki, have been integrated into cancer patient care. Reiki (pronounced “Ray-Key”) is an energy healing “system of enlightenment and a hands-on healing art developed in the early 1900′s by Mikao Usui in Japan.” [2] However, some findings trace this natural healing art back thousands of years ago. Based on Qi energy, or “universal life energy,” this energy healing therapy is facilitated to channel spiritual energy through the practitioner’s hands to heal the patient’s spirit; which then is purported to initiate self-healing of the physical body.

In an interesting turn of events, energy healing has begun making its appearance in the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Hampton, VA. [3] In order to enhance health care services, energy medicine, such as healing touch has become part of the nursing care system to produce positive outcomes for persons suffering from spinal cord injuries and other major health conditions. Because findings demonstrate that healing touch can productively influence emotional, mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, healthcare services now include holistic modalities based in part on the Watson’s transpersonal-caring-healing model.

As a non-invasive complementary therapy, energy healing is known for its innate ability to connect the mind, body and spirit in order to restore balance to the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Other forms of energy healing include a variety of natural healing techniques including acupressure, polarity therapy, magnet therapy, light therapy, meditation, prayer and visualization.

In a free energy balancing program (healing touch) offered through Healing Partners at Stanford’s School of Medicine, and in a news release on Women’s Health at Stanford [4], patients reported feeling an immediate energy flow throughout their bodies. While there is no clinical evidence to support these findings, “69% of patients participating in the (healing touch) program experienced reduced depression and anxiety; 71% experienced increased energy, and 81% experienced an increased quality of life.” So, does energy healing really work? That depends entirely on the patient’s receptivity to the therapy, which in many instances, has proven beneficial.

© 2007 All Rights Reserved – Energy Healing: Does it really work?

by CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about specific medical concerns and especially before beginning any type of health treatment.

References:

1. The increasing use of reiki as a complementary therapy in specialist palliative care. Int J Palliat Nurs., 2005 May;11(5):248-53 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15944500&query_hl=10&itool=pubmed_docsum)

2. Reiki Glossary (http://www.reikithehealingpath.com/reiki_glossary.htm

3. Strategies for innovative energy-based nursing practice: the Healing Touch program – SCI Nurs. 2002 Fall;19(3):117-24. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=12510515)

4. Does Energy Balancing Therapy provide Relief for Breast Cancer Patients? 5.16.06 News Release (http://mednews.stanford.edu/releases/2006/may/healingpartners.html)

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CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/energy-healing-does-it-really-work-138588.html

  1. 4 Responses to “Energy Healing: Does it Really Work?”

  2. By Zefram on May 24, 2009 | Reply

    How does energy healing work?

  3. By Emilie25 on May 24, 2009 | Reply

    Hello how are you? I do Reiki, this is a type of energy healing. reiki is around 2500 years old. It works on the principle of using universal energy to help heal. It is difficult to explain, but its like I am the satilight, and I am absorbing the energy from around me, transfering it through my hands and into the body of the person I have my hands on. The universal energy is also called Chi or the white light. Reiki is becoming very very popular, they are actually educating nurses how to perform this at the hospital I used to work out. You can find out more at http://www.reiki.com .
    References :
    Registered Nurse, Student naturopath and herbalist.

  4. By aspirit on May 24, 2009 | Reply

    There are different kinds of energy healing. Massage is a type of energy healing because it stimulates the muscles and nerves to release energy blocks. Accupuncture, accupressure, reflexology are also energy treatments that unblock energy. Chiropractors manipulate muscles to move bones around. This releases energy. Prayer is a type of energy work. The intention can release or move energy blocks. Chakra cleansing has the effect of allowing energy to be received in the chakra. I can go on and on but you really need to be more specific. Do a little research before you ask a question.
    References :

  5. By jeabwjw on May 24, 2009 | Reply

    Energy healing works because it is vibration. Everything is vibrating at specific frequencies unique to that item. Energy is vibration. A energy healer is tuning into the frequencies of human vibrations. This is the simple answer. Vibrations are the subject of many books, some written by M.D.s and PhD's. they seem to know what they are talking about. It's not some esoteric or occult thing. Vibrational energy is a proven scientific fact.
    References :
    A lot of cool info on a variety of subjects here:
    http://www.uncommonreads.com

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