Human bodies emit subtle electromagnetic fields similar to those produced by electrical devices. This energy connects with those around us as well as with that of the greater universe.
Ancient traditions recognize energy healing and utilize various methods. Jill Blakeway, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and founder of Yinova, provides insight into its science and mystery.
The Science
Energy medicine is a branch of integrative health that investigates the therapeutic applications of subtle energies. It involves improving physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being by optimizing one’s natural energy flow and strengthening body systems like acupuncture, Reiki, therapeutic touch or sound healing – among other practices – using subtle energies. Energy healing therapies like these have long been practiced within Eastern cultures; however Western medicine has not validated or identified their mechanism yet.
Since then, several energy healing practitioners have emerged with claims of scientific support for their practice. These healers describe a subtle energy field known as the biofield which encases every living organism; these biofields allegedly act as sources of vitality, health and wellbeing in humans and animals alike. Energy therapists may be able to sense vibrations within an individual or animal’s energetic field and manipulate it accordingly.
Resonance and entrainment can be used to alter vibrational frequencies, while some healers also employ intention as a powerful means of altering someone’s energetic field. Energy psychology has become more mainstream over time in Western healthcare systems and forms part of an integrative healthcare approach.
Scientists are further exploring the concept of the biofield by exploring its interactions with cell physiology and physical environments. Researchers aim to bridge physics with biology so as to gain a better understanding of how it influences disease processes and aging; Lynne McTaggart, Bruce Lipton, and Joe Dispenza have all played key roles in creating Pro-Consciousness Medicine as an emerging field of study.
Even so, biofield science is still in its infancy and may take years for us to gain a fuller understanding. Nurses should therefore remain alert of the possibility that some ancient and modern healing modalities employing subtle energies could potentially improve patient outcomes; but in order to be cautiously accepting them as legitimate alternatives to pharmaceuticals or surgery.
The Mysteries
Energy medicine has taken off recently alongside the growth of the wellness industry, which emphasizes natural and alternative approaches to healthcare. Yoga centers, fitness studios, and energy healers can now be found all across your community – this trend being propelled by increased awareness that our physical and emotional well-being are directly tied to how healthy our energetic system is functioning.
Energy healing may be increasing in popularity, yet still raises numerous questions. First of all, its exact cause of its reported benefits – placebo effects or natural healing processes in the body? Also many therapies using these practices employ concepts which cannot fully be explained by current scientific theories.
Jill Blakeway, a medical doctor with degrees in both acupuncture and Chinese herbalism, explores these issues in her book The Energy That Heals Us. She details that common energy healing techniques like Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and yoga manipulate subtle energies known as biofields which contain life force or vital energy that affects physical and mental wellbeing.
However, some practitioners misrepresent what type of energy they’re manipulating in their practices and therefore mislead the public. For example, some claim to be working with “God’s energy” or a Christian version called Holy Spirit which violates quantum physics principles used for understanding these practices.
Scientists have attempted to integrate energy medicine with both physics and biology, but are running into difficulties. It can be challenging to study due to nonlocality and entanglement being outside conventional science’s realm; nevertheless researchers are making strides forward; for instance they discovered that humans emit and receive electromagnetic radiation which plays an essential part in communication among cells as well as system stability within our bodies.
Energy medicine is an exciting new field with great promise to improve our quality of life. Used as an adjunctive form of health care, energy medicine may reduce side effects from traditional medications while helping us rebalance physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. However, it should be remembered that energy medicine should never replace treatment from medical professionals.
The Practitioners
Practitioners of energy medicine believe that the human body contains an electromagnetic field on both large and small (cellular) scales, known as mana, prana or chi or other culturally appropriate terms and which can be altered to support healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Energy healing encompasses various techniques including touch and breathwork that have not undergone rigorous scientific scrutiny – thus being labeled alternative therapies by mainstream healthcare practitioners.
Science is beginning to confirm ancient energy medicine concepts. For instance, scientists at Seoul National University have confirmed the existence of body meridians, and how they influence energetic effects such as those seen during massage, qigong and yoga postures. Furthermore, neuroscience researchers are beginning to grasp some key energy medicine concepts; such as how electromagnetic fields produced by brain are interlinked with other energetic fields in a complex network system.
Energy healing is an expanding field. One popular form is Reiki, an Eastern belief in an energy that supports our innate healing capacity and decreases pain, anxiety and fatigue while improving measures of the autonomic nervous system such as heart rate and blood pressure. Studies have confirmed these effects of Reiki on health measures including pain threshold, blood pressure, heart rate variability and muscle tension.
Hilary Grasso, MSW, LCSW and MHP has been practicing reiki and energy healing since 1995. Her clairvoyant-like abilities enable her to observe body energies. Furthermore, Hilary has created a technique for teaching those without this gift how to work with client energy effectively. Hilary holds certification as both Reiki Master and an energy medicine specialist through Society for Energy Medicine membership.
Till further scientific investigation can take place, healthcare professionals continue to see energy healing as an adjunct therapy that can help their patients feel better while contributing to overall wellness. Nurses can serve as invaluable sources of knowledge regarding this form of healing for their patients who wish to incorporate energy healing into their lifestyles.
The Techniques
Energy medicine practitioners have become more prevalent, offering classes on it to others and contributing to an expanding wellness industry dominated by natural healing methods like yoga, fitness centers and nutrition coaches. Energy healing is increasingly being utilized as an adjunct treatment option when treating cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
Energy healers specialize in working with subtle energies circulating throughout our bodies and believe when this flow becomes disjointed, our physical wellbeing may suffer. Energy healing practitioners employ various techniques to balance our body’s energy system back into optimal functioning – some popular examples being acupuncture, therapeutic touch and Reiki.
Few of these modalities have undergone rigorous scientific scrutiny and there is limited proof that they work. Many skeptics concede that any perceived benefits can be explained away through either placebo effects or the body’s natural healing process.
Energy healing has gained in popularity despite lacking empirical proof, often being labeled “alternative medicine”; however, it should be used as an adjunctive form of healthcare rather than replacing other systems of healthcare delivery.
One reason is that, unlike conventional medicines, energy medicine focuses less on diagnosing and treating specific ailments than on finding out where your energy system is out of balance and correcting that. For instance, stomachaches could be linked to imbalances in either your heart meridian or liver meridian.
Energy healing modalities are relatively easy to learn and can be practiced at home. An acupuncturist may teach you the Daily Energy Routine technique – which takes just minutes a day – in order to strengthen the body’s energy system and support its natural ability for self-healing.
For those curious to gain more knowledge on this ancient and fascinating field of healing, we highly suggest Jill Blakeway’s Energy Medicine: The Science and Mystery of Healing. Jill founded the Yinova Center in New York City and is an expert in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and fertility treatments. In addition, she has written two other books (Making Babies and Sex Again) as well as hosting CBS Podcast Grow, Cook, Heal.
