When it comes to healing, many are not content to depend solely on traditional medical care for relief. Instead, they prefer alternative therapies like reiki, acupuncture and reflexology as viable solutions.
All these techniques share one goal in common: they aim to rebalance our body’s energy. But is energy medicine real?
What is energy medicine?
Energy healing differs from conventional medicine in its focus on biochemistry by believing the human body contains subtle energies known as qi or prana that can be utilized to promote wellness and heal itself. Practitioners of energy healing believe imbalances in these energies cause illness such as pain, fatigue and early signs of aging; therapies like acupressure, music therapy and Reiki help bring these back into balance and bring equilibrium back into one’s body.
These healing methods may seem magical, but they’re actually grounded in physics. Everything – your bones, gut bacteria and emotions included – are composed of molecules energized by vibrational frequencies; this creates our physical world and quantum mechanics has revealed how vibrational frequencies can also impact individual particles within it and change how our bodies operate.
That is why many of us have experienced the “feel-good” effects of listening to soothing music or receiving a deep massage. By stimulating energy channels in your body, stimulating these can induce relaxation that promotes immune health and healing.
Energy medicine practitioners employ techniques from time-honored traditions, such as acupuncture, yoga and kinesiology. They may also utilize techniques developed by Donna Eden which utilize her ability to perceive energetic patterns within the body.
Energy healers believe that altering these impaired energy patterns may be the most efficient and minimally invasive means to enhance cell, tissue and organ vitality. Furthermore, these therapies are safe when employed alongside traditional treatments by healthcare professionals.
Energy healing techniques may help alleviate symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and chronic stress – and may even increase fertility! Energy healing should never replace traditional medical treatments; always consult your physician prior to initiating any new practices or starting energy healing treatments of any sort. Our YinOva Center experts would be more than happy to answer any queries about energy healing – simply get in touch with us now so we can set up your appointment!
How does it work?
Energy healing has generated much discussion recently, whether through crystals, acupuncture, reiki or Qigong. All these practices work toward one common goal: balancing your natural immune response and helping heal yourself. Many also ease anxiety and depression as well as promote spiritual growth; furthermore some studies have revealed these therapies can also increase physical strength and endurance possibly related to their ability to reduce cortisol levels.
Though we still cannot completely comprehend why energy-healing modalities work (what biofield researchers refer to as energy healing modalities), they certainly appear to. Acupressure relies on the belief that stress inhibits the natural flow of “qi,” or human life force, so stimulating certain acupoints helps restore it. Reiki practitioners channel patients’ energies into healing through touch or hovering their hands over the body – and can then use that energy source for furthering recovery.
Other practitioners believe in the power of intention as an aid for healing the human body, while still others use vibration or sound therapy to achieve that same end. Astrologer and healer Aerin Fogel of Toronto-based Astrology Healing Solutions believes the body is made up of energy which responds to its environment: so “not just muscles and bones”, she asserts; rather it comprises auras, emotions and spiritual beings too.
Wellness Land has long been the home of ancient energy healing practices that rely on energy flow to heal illness, along with those who use New Age-y approaches for wellness. Recently however, hard science is beginning to support some ancient energy medicine principles like the biofield theory – that natural flow of energy through our bodies must remain free-flowing if health is to remain optimal – which have long been held up against disease as being untrustworthy sources.
Energy healing modalities continue to gain a following among Canadians despite any skeptical remarks, who seek them as complementary healthcare treatments either alongside or instead of prescription drugs and conventional healthcare approaches. It will be interesting to watch as scientific research unfolds and observe their impact on comfort, wellbeing and emotional and mental health within society.
Is it safe?
Most therapists who practice energy medicine believe that all physical objects and psychological processes, including humans, contain an invisible life force known as chi or prana that interacts with other forms of energy in our environment; such interactions have the ability to have profoundly negative impacts on health.
Energy Medicine (EM) covers a broad array of practices that target the human biofield, such as acupuncture, reiki and biofield tuning forks. Although these alternative healing modalities are considered complementary rather than replacement to traditional medical treatment approaches, scientific evidence supporting them remains limited and their mechanisms remain unexplained.
This approach to energy medicine (EM) rests on the idea that our bodies are extraordinary machines designed to heal themselves and maintain optimal vitality. This energy-based approach stands in stark contrast to what standard biomedicine teaches, where human beings are treated as mechanized entities like cars or computers; by freeing up energy flowing freely through our bodies and clearing away blocks in its flow, EM practitioners believe we can better function and feel healthier overall.
Though energy medicine (EM) can sometimes cause controversy, when practiced by trained professionals it appears safe and can provide patients with additional wellness tools. Acupuncture has been found to alleviate PMS symptoms and reduce cortisol levels in the bloodstream while many energy healing modalities (music therapy and multisensory stimulation, for instance) have proven successful at improving mood and producing more equilibrium within individuals.
As more wellness centers offer energy medicine therapies, demand for alternative medicine continues to surge. High-profile athletes such as Lance Armstrong – six-time Tour de France winner and admitted EM user – openly embrace its use as a way of staying on top of his game. While interest may grow for these methods, they should never replace standard medical care services.
Is it effective?
Energy healers believe that our bodies are composed of an energetic force which can be harnessed and directed towards treating health issues. According to energy healing practitioners, this vital energy plays a key role in maintaining physical and emotional well-being; any disruption of this force may lead to illnesses in our bodies.
Energy healing seeks to restore equilibrium to this vital life force, relieving stress-related symptoms. Practitioners of energy medicine utilize traditional forms like acupuncture, yoga and qi gong as well as methods developed by energy healers who possess the ability to see and perceive subtle energies.
Acupuncture is an ancient and scientifically recognized form of energy healing, stimulating specific points on the body with thin needles to balance life forces by unblocking energy pathways and activating natural healing abilities in our bodies. Acupuncture has long been practiced worldwide as an energy healing technique.
Healing Touch (HT) is a gentle touch therapy, often employed to alleviate pain and anxiety. Studies indicate that Healing Touch could lower blood pressure as well as heart and breathing rates during surgery or anesthesia [147].
Susan Olencki Giangiulio’s book This Energy Healing Stuff Is for Real is written with accessible language that makes the experience seem more like conversation than reading a textbook. She discusses the origin and various healing modalities of energy medicine; discusses spirit-body-mind connection; unresolved emotions create havoc within our bodies; as well as ways in which expressing gratitude, living intentionally, and releasing stuck emotions can alter thinking processes thereby shifting bodies and lives for the better.
Energy medicine may have mixed results; however, many individuals report experiencing positive results when working with an experienced practitioner who understands how to balance and support the natural healing processes within your body.
