Energy medicine aims to correct energetic imbalances that cause diseases and bring the body’s systems back into equilibrium. Practitioners believe that balancing energy channels can relieve pain, improve sleep quality and mood as well as slow the aging process.
Research supports the positive benefits of energy healing modalities such as acupuncture, Reiki and crystals as an integral component of holistic healthcare practices such as conventional healthcare services. These complementary naturopathic practices offer invaluable additional support.
Healing Touch
Healing Touch is a series of noninvasive techniques using hands to clear, energize and balance human energy fields. It works to promote natural healing processes while supporting one’s inherent capacity for physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Healing Energy comes from heart-centered relationships between practitioner and client that create a supportive healing energy field between them both; recent research suggests Healing Touch may reduce anxiety and pain levels while simultaneously increasing relaxation, peace and wellbeing levels.
Hands-on therapies such as massage and surgery often employ hands to alleviate pain and promote well-being; religious practices frequently incorporate hand laying; massage therapy is also widely utilized to ease tension and alleviate tension; surgeons use their hands as their most valuable asset during surgeries; scientists have discovered that our hands act as conduits of energy; so, regardless of which hands-on therapy practitioners choose, it’s crucial that they consciously work within and respect clients’ energy fields.
Energy healing is one of the most widely practiced forms of complementary health practice. While not intended as a replacement for medical treatments, energy healing has proven invaluable during surgical procedures as well as pre, intra and post-op recovery; aid cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiation; boost immunity systems; reduce stress anxiety levels as well as support the immune system.
Though scientific evidence on healing touch is limited, most researchers agree it’s safe and effective. Practitioners are trained to work with animals and plants as well as humans – thus expanding its scope beyond humans alone.
Healing touch sessions typically take place in a quiet and relaxing environment similar to massage therapy rooms and last approximately 45-60 minutes. Your practitioner will discuss your health and wellness goals before placing their hands gently on or near you for the session – light scanning movements may be used alongside near but non-contact touches (near but not touching the body) or gentle hand placements over certain body areas to assess energy fields. Most clients find healing touch deeply relaxing; sometimes falling asleep during one.
Methodist Hospital nurse Jane Bies, BSN, RN and CHHC, emphasizes that Healing Touch works best when combined with other therapies. Research has demonstrated its beneficial properties by increasing physical therapy’s efficacy while decreasing medication needs and creating more control during treatments.
Reiki
Reiki, or Rei-ki, is an energy healing technique which originated in Japan centuries ago and has become a mainstream part of holistic healthcare today. A practitioner transmits energy using their hands–touch isn’t necessary–to allow your qi, or life force, to flow more naturally within the body and reduce stress while improving immunity. Reiki may also serve as an opportunity to take time for yourself and connect spiritually if that’s something that interests you.
Reiki therapy can help the flow of energy in your body by clearing away stagnation. A session involves lying fully-clothed on a treatment table or sitting in a chair while practitioners place their hands over your body to make the treatment effective. Sessions usually last 30-60 minutes and typically start off with a short guided relaxation or meditation exercise to relax you before commencing the actual treatment process.
Studies show that Reiki can assist you in reaching a parasympathetic nervous system dominant state, where heart rate, blood pressure and breathing gradually diminish. Reiki therapy may reduce pain significantly while improving conditions like headaches, digestive issues or skin conditions.
Reiki sessions can be provided by trained and qualified Reiki Masters. Your practitioner will gently place their hands over or near various parts of your body – typically from head to toe. Some may feel warmth from certain spots on their bodies while others don’t perceive anything at all; either way, the treatment may produce deep relaxation as tension and pain are released.
Reiki is an alternative form of biofield healing and therapy, yet is becoming more widely utilized within hospitals across the United States. A study published in Holistic Nursing Practice discovered that it could support relaxation, anxiety and depression reduction as well as pain management outcomes in patient populations. Furthermore, researchers also looked to determine whether Reiki could assist in helping overcome burnout conditions that often manifest as emotional detachment and exhaustion at work.
Qigong
Qigong, or Qi Gong, is an ancient Chinese energy healing practice consisting of postures, coordinated breathing techniques and setting an intention. Qigong serves as a form of movement meditation which can help reduce stress levels, enhance sleep quality and strengthen muscles and bones. Different styles can be performed alone or with acupuncture treatments while other qigong practices offer holistic treatments.
Qi, or vital energy, and gong refers to work or practice. Both terms are utilized within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which encompasses body, mind, and spirit to promote physical and mental wellness. TCM practitioners believe poor health results from blocked qi flowing along twelve meridians within the body’s twelve sections or meridians; developing one’s qi is the central focus of Taoism — China’s original religion/philosophy which introduced Westerners to acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine bone setting as well as the yin/yang concept.
At a qigong session, you’ll sit comfortably as the practitioner moves to build, release or calm your qi–an internal energy that runs along meridians and connects to acupuncture points–with slow and intentional movements designed to improve flexibility, strength and balance while reducing stress and anxiety; these movements may even reduce chronic pain such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Many who utilize energy medicine report that it helps them feel more connected with nature and themselves. Many report increased physical stamina, clarity of thought and better sleep as a result of using this therapy; others may experience spirituality or an elevated state of awareness that cannot be explained but yet feels real.
If you’re considering trying energy healing practices, be sure to speak to your therapist about them first. Select someone with extensive knowledge in both TCM and energy healing so they can provide safe, effective treatments that support your journey to wellness.
Crystals
Crystals are said to possess healing energy, making them useful tools in treating physical, emotional, or mental ailments. A crystal therapy session involves lying on a comfortable surface while various stones are strategically placed around your body – each stone having a vibration that resonates with your energy field in a unique way to balance and heal it.
Crystals can help break patterns of emotional and thought blockages as well as subtle energy fields (aura or bio-magnetic field) which cause blockages to one’s life. Furthermore, crystals are useful tools for clearing chakras and energy points/grids to balance one’s energetic field and assist with clearing.
Though the exact benefits of crystal healing remain unverified, many believe they can help calm the mind, ease anxiety and provide stress relief. Stones such as these may be used in combination with other energy healing practices for an enhanced experience.
Hematite and obsidian are well-known healing crystals, providing an outlet for emotional release while grounding and balancing one’s energy, leading to deeper healing. Obsidian provides additional protection against negative energies while encouraging personal and spiritual development; both stones can also serve as outlets for feelings that need an outlet such as suppressed or suppressed.
Citrine crystals have long been associated with prosperity and creativity. Others, like jade and rose quartz, promote love. Crystals may even help bring balance during specific seasons – yellow topaz and citrine are known to bring positive energies from the sun into wintertime for those suffering from SAD.
When using crystals for healing purposes, it’s essential to cleanse and charge them on an ongoing basis. Cleaning removes any negative energy the crystal may have absorbed while charging reinvigorates their vibration. Popular methods for cleansing and charging include using sage, moonlight or running water for these tasks. It is also advisable to carry your crystal around with you throughout the day by wearing necklaces, bracelets or rings made from it – keeping in contact with its energy can help support your intentions and goals while staying connected to its energy!