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THE ART OF
THERAPEUTIC TOUCH
Article by herbalist
Dave
Hawkins, MH, CNC
This weeks topic of
discussion will review a technique called Therapeutic
Touch. Therapeutic Touch is an energetic therapy based on
the concept of a subtle, non-physical energy, which
sustains all living organisms. It is vitalizing, a
universal force. This concept can be found in numerous
traditional healing systems (known in Chinese medicine as
“chi” or “prana” in Yoga
systems or better know as laying-on of hands).
Each of us has our own
energy field that radiates out two to six inches from the
body and interacts constantly with the environment. A
trained practitioner is attuned to this energy field’s
flow. In good health the energy flows and is smooth and
balanced. However if we are injured, or
are suffering for emotional distress or disease the flow is
blocked.
By using this technique the practitioner
can help rebalance the energy field promoting better flow
and alleviate vitality and in turn reduce symptoms.
Therapeutic Touch developed
by Dolores Kreiger, PH. D.,R.N.,
professor emeritus at
New York
University
and Dora Kunz, a healer interpreted many healing practices
such as, visualization, laying-on of hands and aura
therapy.
Since
it’s development this technique has been taught to
over 37000 nurses, doctors, and health practitioners. It is
taught in over 50 colleges and uses in over 200 hospitals.
With Therapeutic Touch there
is generally no physical contact between patient and
practitioner.
Even though styles may vary the practitioners
use their hands held a few inches over the body to assess
energy fields. The practitioner assesses the client, clears
congestion, transfers energy to depleted areas, and
balances the energy flow.
Sessions last from 5 to 25
minutes depending on the patient. Acute conditions respond
faster and chronic illness responds slower.
Therapeutic Touch has proven
effective in treating a variety of conditions.
It has been shown to reduce anxiety, reduce pain,
and ease problems associated with autonomic nervous system
dysfunction. Other examples include altered enzyme
activity, increased hemoglobin levels, and to accelerate
wound healing. Many studies have shown that patients
receiving this therapy experienced a reduction of headache
pain, ease of asthmatic breathing and a reduction of fever
and inflammation.
Although numerous studies
have demonstrated it to be useful and harmless, many people
remain skeptical about its’
effects. One problem it that some of its working
principals-intuition-energy-consciousness- don’t fit in
very easy with a conventional medical mind set or
laboratory research methods. Anecdotal
evidence abounds even though patient response is very
different.
Despite these drawbacks and
our lack of certain scientific understanding, something
does happen during a session. Over the last 20 years
research has been conducted with it in relation to cardiac
studies, stress and anxiety, wound healing, and pain
relief.
Therapeutic Touch is one
alternative approach that offers a balance between
technology and miracles and life’s mysteries. There are
nurses in our area that are trained in this technique. If
you are looking for someone contact me or check with your
health care practitioner.
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