What is therapeutic touch?
Therapeutic touch is a form of healing that uses a practice
called "laying on of hands" to correct or balance
energy fields. The word "touch" is misleading because
there is generally no direct physical touch involved. Instead,
the hands are moved just over the body. Therapeutic touch is
based on the theory that the body, mind, and emotions form a
complex energy field. According to therapeutic touch, health is
an indication of a balanced energy field and illness represents
imbalance. Studies suggest that therapeutic touch can help to
heal wounds, reduce pain, and promote relaxation.
What is the energy field?
Although scientists have not detected a human energy field,
the concept of an energy field is also a part of other types of
healing. In the ancient medical systems of India and China, the
energy field is described as life energy. It is thought to exist
throughout the body and is responsible for maintaining normal
physiological, psychological, and spiritual functions. In
Traditional Chinese Medicine this energy is called qi
(pronounced "chee"), and in India's Ayurvedic medicine
it is called prana.
What is the history of therapeutic touch?
Dolores Krieger, a professor at New York University School of
Nursing, and Dora Kunz, a natural healer, developed therapeutic
touch in the early 1970s. At first, Krieger and Kunz only taught
the techniques to Krieger's graduate school nursing students,
but Krieger's professional research and writing increased the
popularity of the technique, particularly among nurses. The
practice grew primarily through a grassroots effort of nurses
throughout the United States. Today, therapeutic touch is taught
at more than 100 hospitals and health centers worldwide and is
most commonly practiced by nurses.
How does therapeutic touch work?
Scientists are not certain how therapeutic touch works. There
are few studies, and scientific investigators have so far not
detected the human energy field. Still, two theories have been
put forward.
One theory is that the actual pain associated with a
physically or emotionally painful experience (such as infection,
injury, or a difficult relationship) remains in the body's
cells. The pain stored in the cells is disruptive, and prevents
some cells from working properly with other cells in the body.
This results in disease. Therapeutic touch is thought to restore
health by restoring communication between cells.
The other theory is based on the principles of quantum
physics. As blood, which contains iron, circulates in our bodies
an electromagnetic field is produced. According to this theory,
at one time we could all easily see this field (called an aura),
but now only certain individuals, such as those who practice
therapeutic touch, develop this ability.
More generally, therapeutic touch is based on the idea that
optimal health requires a balanced flow of life energy.
Practitioners of therapeutic touch, by their own description,
sense the your energy through their hands and then send healthy
energy back to you. When receiving therapeutic touch you usually
feel such things as warmth, relaxation, and/or pain relief. The
practitioner describes your energy as hot or cold, active or
passive, blocked or free. There are eight general regions of the
body above which energy is sensed – head, throat, heart,
stomach, lower abdomen, sacral region, knees, and feet.
Ultimately, you, the recipient of therapeutic touch is the
healer. The practitioner simply allows your body's own healing
mechanisms to emerge. The role of the practitioner is to
facilitate this process.
What should I expect on my first visit?
Before the session begins, you will be asked to sit or lie
down. No undressing is necessary. Despite its name, therapeutic
touch rarely involves physical contact between the therapist and
the person being treated. Sessions can be broken down into four
steps:
(1) Centering—the therapist becomes
"centered" by using breathing, imagery, and meditation
to achieve an altered state of consciousness for him or herself.
(2) Assessment—the therapist holds his or her hands
2 to 4 inches away from your body while moving from your head to
your feet. This is done to assess the energy field surrounding
your body. Therapists often describe feelings of warmth,
coolness, static, and tingling over the areas of energy
"congestion" or "blockage."
(3) Intervention—once a congested or blocked area is
located, the therapist will move his or her hands in a rhythmic
motion starting at the top of the blocked area and moving down
and away from your body. This action, known as unruffling, is
repeated until the therapist no longer senses congestion or
until you begin to sense relief. The therapist will also
visualize and transmit life energy to specific areas of your
body, also intended to correct imbalances.
(4) Evaluation/Closure—once you've had a few minutes
to relax, the therapist will ask you how you feel. He or she may
recheck your energy field to be sure that no blockages were
overlooked.
What is therapeutic touch good for?
Most studies indicate that therapeutic touch can relieve
tension headaches and reduce pain, such as that associated with
burns. osteoarthritis, or following surgery. It may also speed
the healing of wounds and improve function in those with
arthritis.
Therapeutic touch also promotes relaxation. Cancer, heart
disease, and burn patients have reported that therapeutic touch
significantly lessens their anxiety. Generally, the deep
relaxation associated with therapeutic touch reduces stress,
lowers blood pressure, and improves breathing. Being relaxed may
also lead to lower cholesterol levels and also may improve
immune and bowel functions. Difficult pregnancies may also be
made a little easier with the help of therapeutic touch.
Together with medical treatment, therapeutic touch can help
with many additional conditions such as the following:
Some people indicate that they experience emotional and
spiritual changes after receiving therapeutic touch. These may
include greater self-confidence, self-control, and
self-understanding.
There is still controversy, however, as to whether the
healing power of therapeutic touch has anything to do with the
"laying on of hands." Critics suggest that the healing
observed after therapeutic touch may be the result of the
relaxing nature of the therapy itself and not the energy
transfer that is believed to occur between the therapist's hands
and the individual's body.
Is there anything I should watch out for?
You may feel thirsty, lightheaded, and a need to urinate.
Lightheadedness generally only lasts for 15 minutes after a
session, but you may feel thirsty for days. According to some
practitioners, if you were flooded with too much energy you
might feel increased pain and be irritable, restless, anxious,
or even nauseated. Therapeutic touch may also worsen fevers and
active inflammation; therefore, it is best not to obtain
therapeutic touch when you have either a fever or active
inflammation (such as an acutely swollen joint from arthritis).
Some therapeutic touch practitioners recommend that children,
the elderly, and very sick people be treated for only a short
time. Although there is no actual touching involved with
therapeutic touch, talk with your practitioner about what to
expect from a session, particularly if you have been physically
or sexually abused in your past.
How can I find a qualified practitioner?
There is no formal certification program in the United States
for therapeutic touch. Most therapeutic touch practitioners are
in the nursing profession (although some massage therapists,
physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and others
practice therapeutic touch as well). Nurse Healers-Professional
Associates International (NH-PAI) recommends that people look
for therapists who practice regularly (at least an average of 2
times per week), have at least 5 years of experience, and have
completed at least 12 hours of therapeutic touch workshops. To
locate a qualified practitioner near you, contact the NH-PAI at
703-234-4149 or visit their website at www.therapeutic-touch.org.
What is the future of therapeutic touch?
While there appear to be many potential uses for therapeutic
touch, particularly for chronically ill people, measuring the
effectiveness of the technique is very difficult. Because of
this, much of the research that exists has been criticized.
Improved studies may lead to wider acceptance.
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