Touch Therapy and its way with the human body

What is therapeutic touch?

Therapeutic touch is a kind of healing that uses a practice called "laying on of hands" to correct or balance energy fields. Despite the use of the word "touch," the hands usually hover over the body and don't physically touch it.

Therapeutic touch is based on the theory that the body, mind, and emotions form a complex energy field. According to therapeutic touch, good health is an indication of a balanced energy field, while illness represents imbalance. Studies suggest that therapeutic touch may help to heal wounds, reduce pain, and lessen anxiety.

What is the energy field?

Although scientists differ on the nature and relevance of the 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"). 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. Then Krieger's professional research and writing increased its popularity, particularly among nurses. The practice grew mostly through a grassroots effort of nurses throughout the United States. Today, therapeutic touch is taught at 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 researchers have not detected the human energy field discussed by Therapeutic Touch practitioners. 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 causes disease. Practitioners believe therapeutic touch promotes 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 people, such as those who practice therapeutic touch, develop this ability.

More generally, therapeutic touch is based on the idea that good health requires a balanced flow of life energy. Practitioners of therapeutic touch say they sense 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 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 where energy is sensed -- head, throat, heart, stomach, lower abdomen, sacral region, knees, and feet. Ultimately, the person who receives therapeutic touch is the healer. The practitioner simply allows your body's own healing mechanisms to come out. The role of the practitioner is to help this process.

What should I expect on my first visit?

Before the session begins, you will be asked to sit or lie down. You don't need to undress. 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 herself.

(2) Assessment -- the therapist holds her hands 2 - 4 inches away from your body while moving from your head to your feet. She does this to assess the energy field around your body. Therapists often describe feelings of warmth, coolness, static, and tingling over the areas of energy "congestion" or "blockage."

(3) Intervention -- once the therapist locates a congested or blocked area, she will move 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 feel 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. The therapist may recheck your energy field to make sure she didn't overlook any blockages.

What is therapeutic touch good for?

Most studies indicate that therapeutic touch can relieve tension headaches and reduce pain, such as pain associated with burns, osteoarthritis, or following surgery. It may also speed the healing of wounds and improve function in those with arthritis. In fact, studies show that therapeutic touch stimulates cell growth.

Therapeutic touch also promotes relaxation. Cancer, heart disease, and burn patients have reported that therapeutic touch significantly reduces 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, including:

• ·         Fibromyalgia
• ·         Sleep apnea
• ·         Restless leg syndrome, a disorder that causes insomnia
• ·         Allergies
• ·         Bronchitis
• ·         Addictions
• ·         Lupus
• ·         Alzheimer's disease and, possibly, other forms of dementia

Some people say that they feel 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 between the therapist's hands and the person's body.