Energy Healing

Some call it "prana," and some call it "chi." Some say it travels along meridians in the body, and others say it can be moved by magnets. You can find many different approaches to energy therapy, and even more opinions about energy healing and its usefulness.

Energy therapy healing is based on the premise that a vital energy or life force moves through and around the human body. When this energy is blocked and unable to flow freely, our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health suffers. Energy medicine practitioners believe that this stuck energy can lead to pain, illness and other discomforts.

Healing with energy, which focuses on moving the energy into a more balanced and flowing state, is reported to yield a wide variety of benefits. In its many forms, energy medicine is an essential method for correcting imbalances of the body, mind and soul.

Is Energy Therapy Healing Really Faith Healing?

A wide range of opinions abound about energy healing. Some say energy therapy is hogwash, and others claim fantastic results from healing with energy. Scientists and medical professionals tend to be skeptical about energy healing, but studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine report interesting results on many energy therapy methods, from distant healing to qigong.

Use common sense and caution if you explore energy healing, particularly if you have a serious health condition. Make sure you tell your health care provider if you're using energy medicine.

Types of Energy Healing

Some energy healing methods date back centuries, and others are relatively new. Methods for healing with energy include:

• Chios: Healers analyze patients' auras and chakras to diagnose the state of their energy fields, and focus energy to heal.
• Crystals: Uses crystal vibrations to help restore equilibrium to the energy body.
• Distant healing: Practitioners heal patients from a distance, whether a few feet or thousands of miles away.
• Energy Psychology: Promotes emotional healing by literally tapping on the body's energy systems.
• Healing Touch: Nurses developed this non-invasive energy healing therapy to balance patients' energy.
• Jin ShinJyutsu: Practitioners employ healing with energy by manipulating 26 "safety energy locks" along energy pathways.
• Magnets: Uses magnetic fields to alter the body's electromagnetic currents, to relieve pain and more.
• Polarity: Adjusts a patient's electromagnetic field to address physical and emotional problems.
• Pranic Healing: Activates prana—or life energy—to promote healing; based on the body's ability to heal itself.
• Qigong: Uses gentle exercises, breathing and relaxation to promote healthy energy flow and body functions. Qigong is an ancient Chinese martial art.
• Quantum Touch: Helps clients focus and amplify their life-force energy by using breathing and body awareness.
• Reiki Energy Healing: Reiki practitioners use hand positions to remove disruptions and promote healing with energy.

Resources

Carroll, R.T. (2010). Energy healing: Looking in all the wrong places. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.skepdic.com/essays/energyhealing.htm

Eden, D. (2009). A beginner's guide to energy medicine. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.energetic-medicine.net/bioenergetic-articles/articles/127/1/A-BEGINNERaS-GUIDE-TO-ENERGY-MEDICINE/Page1.html

Gazely, J. (n.d.). Energy psychology. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com/counselingarchive-energy-psychology.asp

Holisticportal. (n.d.). Qigong. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://holisticportal.co.uk/page24.html

Jin Shin Jyutsu. (2010). Welcome to Jin Shin Jyutsu. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.jsjinc.net/

Johnston, L. (2009). Healing touch. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.healingtherapies.info/Healing-Touch.htm

Johnston, L. (2000). Magnetic healing: What's the attraction? Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.healingtherapies.info/magnetic_healing.htm

Mork, R. (n.d.). Chios healing. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.life123.com/health/alternative-medicine/energy-healing/chios-healing.shtml

Natural Therapy Info. (2006). Quantum touch. Retrieved August 9, 2010, from http://www.naturaltherapyinfo.com/energy/quantum_touch.htm

Stenger, V. (n.d.). Bioenergetic fields. Retrieved August 9, 2010, from http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/Medicine/Biofield.html

D.S., (n.d.). What is pranic healing? Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-pranic-healing.htm

Smith, S.E. (2010). What is Polarity Therapy? Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-polarity-therapy.htm

Tatum, M. (n.d.). What is distant healing? Retrieved August 4, 2010, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-distant-healing.htm

The International Center for Reiki Training. (n.d.). What is Reiki? Retrieved August 9, 2010, from http://www.reiki.org/faq/whatisreiki.html