Energy healing modalities, also known as biofield therapies, rely on the idea that gentle touch (or none at all) can access and balance one’s personal energy field or “biofield,” relieving stress. Such practices often induce deep relaxation responses that reduce anxiety.<\/p>\n
These techniques fit seamlessly with holistic recovery paths that emphasize the relationship between mind, body and emotions. When combined with psychotherapies such as somatic therapy addiction, they can speed up emotional liberation.<\/p>\n
Acupuncture has a history that goes back over 1,000 years and derives from traditional Chinese medicine. This practice involves inserting needles at precise points on the body with the belief that energy channels run through our surface in regular patterns to irrigate and nourish tissues and organs. When these rivers of energy become blocked, symptoms arise such as fatigue or illness.<\/p>\n
Stimulating these acupuncture points using needles, cupping, laser or electrical stimulation encourages your body’s natural healing process and increases functioning. Stimulation also releases norepinephrine for pain relief as well as the hormone acetylcholine to normalize heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and digestion regulation systems.<\/p>\n
Acupuncture can help to balance hormones that play an essential role in how energized you feel, as well as ease stress and tension that could be contributing to feelings of fatigue. Many have reported feeling less stressed after receiving treatments as well as sleeping better – both benefits that enable them to better handle everyday stresses and challenges. It’s best to speak to an acupuncturist beforehand about your concerns and expectations to achieve maximum effectiveness from any series of sessions they suggest for optimal results.<\/p>\n
Healing touch is a set of noninvasive techniques designed to clear, energize and balance the human energy field – supporting its inherent ability for self-healing. Also referred to as therapeutic touch, Healing Touch has become popular with nurses, massage therapists and other health care providers; research shows it may ease pain, anxiety and depression while strengthening immunity systems and encouraging resilience among cancer therapy patients.<\/p>\n
At a session, you lie fully clothed on a massage table as the provider gently places their hands above and around your body. Each session typically lasts 40-60 minutes.<\/p>\n
According to research published in Psychiatry Today, touching from either friends or healthcare providers such as nurses can reduce stress hormones and promote feelings of well-being, even helping alleviate pain or reduce nausea.<\/p>\n
Scripps provides integrative therapies such as Healing Touch, guided imagery and aromatherapy in our hospitals and across our Scripps system to complement conventional medical treatments.<\/p>\n
Qigong (pronounced chee gong) is part of the ancient Chinese system of integrative health care and energy medicine known as “yang sheng.” Practicing Qigong involves exercises and meditations designed to increase qi, or life force flow; it is an integral component of both martial arts training and Chinese tea culture.<\/p>\n
Qigong can be practiced sitting or standing and involves both active and passive movements; some moves combine both. Qigong gathers and blends energy from heaven or sky (yang, shen) with earth\/body energy (yin, jing), thus providing both healing and revitalizing effects on practitioners.<\/p>\n
Massage therapists can use Qigong to assist their clients with self-healing and maintenance of balance, as well as recharge their own chi. Clients can practice self-massage with gentle rubbing of ears, hands and feet; cupped hand “hitting” on meridians (such as kidney areas); tapotement using cupped hands in tapping manner on meridians, (this wakens organ energies); mindful breathing exercises – to name but a few of many applications of Qigong!<\/p>\n
Energy therapies<\/a> like healing touch and qigong carry no known risk, unlike acupuncture which may be contraindicated under certain medical circumstances. A qualified instructor is essential to getting maximum benefit out of these practices and prevent injury during practice.<\/p>\n Aromatherapy employs essential oils (fragrant liquids extracted from various parts of plants) to promote mental and physical well-being, reduce stress and tension, boost immunity and decrease nausea; it is part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).<\/p>\n Researchers have discovered that inhaling certain scents can initiate physical reactions and initiate certain signals in the brain. Odors bind with olfactory receptors in the nose, sending messages directly to limbic regions of the brain that control emotions; essential oils may even be applied directly onto skin surfaces for more intense effects.<\/p>\n Clinical trials have examined aromatherapy using essential oils like bergamot, lavender and peppermint. Results have demonstrated its effectiveness at relieving symptoms associated with depression, anxiety and pain from kidney stones or osteoarthritis of the knee.<\/p>\n Studies have also demonstrated its ability to help reduce stress in those living with cancer and other chronic illnesses, and treat trait anxiety which is the persistent feeling of anxiety present most or all the time.<\/p>\n PDQ cancer information summaries provide references to published research on aromatherapy with essential oils as a method to enhance mood and quality of life for people living with cancer, without providing details of treatments used in studies cited. Unfortunately, such citations don’t describe specific treatments used by these studies, making it hard for researchers and clinicians to compare study results or replicate some.<\/p>\n Energy healing techniques focus on manipulating the biofield to promote health, wellness and emotional resilience. These noninvasive practices aim to balance out your body’s energy fields to foster positive thoughts and emotions while drawing from ancient traditions – although each practitioner and technique may take a slightly different approach.<\/p>\n Reiki practitioners use universal life force energy through their hands to heal patients. Created in Japan by Mikao Usui, this practice requires extensive training and “attunements”. Some Reiki practitioners even utilize specific healing symbols to promote wellness or remove blockages.<\/p>\n Studies on various forms of meditation have consistently demonstrated that regular practitioners experience changes to their brain structure through regular practice, typically including denser tissue or larger areas, which may improve mental clarity and support coping abilities.<\/p>\n People suffering from addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges often turn to energy healing therapies<\/a> as part of their overall care plans. From acupuncture sessions that ease anxiety to meditation practices that calm racing thoughts, these therapies provide gentle yet effective tools for recovery. To maximize effectiveness of sessions with energy healers, seek one who listens more than they speak and respects your boundaries; you could also incorporate daily practices at home like box breathing or guided meditations into daily practice regimens.<\/p>\n Aromatherapy<\/h2>\n
Meditation<\/h2>\n