Energy Healing
Energy healing is a very widely used term for any form of
healing which balances, rejuvenates, or restores the levels of
energy in the body. The principles of energy healing are rooted
in the belief that in addition to biological and bio-chemical
systems, the human body consists of a system of subtle energies.
Most often referred to in the West as universal life energy or
bio-energy it is referred to as various names among other
cultures; in India it is known as prana, the Japanese know it as
qi; in Hebrew it is called ruah, the Chinese refer to it as ki,
in Hawaii it is referred to as mana or ti.
Energy healers believe that this universal energy flows through
the body in recognizable patterns. This energy extends beyond
the surface of the body and creates an energy field, also known
as an aura or bio-field. When an individual's energy patterns
are balanced and free flowing, a healthy life can be enjoyed.
When the energy field becomes disrupted, weakened or blocked,
however, the symptoms of physical and emotional damage can
occur. Prolonged disturbances in an individual's energy field
can lead to chronic pain, disease and emotional disturbances.
Many mainstream health systems have employed the life energy
principle within their healing methods. Well known healing
techniques such as chiropractic healing, shiatsu massage,
acupuncture, osteopathy, acupressure, naturopathy, reiki, touch
therapy and several others, employ various forms of energy field
or life force principles in the treatment and diagnosis of
patients. Traditional health care providers increasingly offer
these healing techniques as a compliment to orthodox medical
care.
Energy healing works by reconfiguring the energy that exists
within and around all living things. Energy manipulation
performed by a practitioner corrects imbalances and blockages in
the flow of life energies through the body. The reconfiguring of
life energy is commonly performed with the hands, in some cases
it is carried out remotely. Life energy also acts as a catalyst
to accelerate the natural healing process of the body. When life
energy is applied to the unhealthy part of the body the rate of
recovery or healing is increased.
Practices such as, qi-gong, tai-chi, yoga and focused meditation
also involve the perception, manipulation and direction of
universal life energy within the body. Additionally, thought
field therapy incorporates similar methods for establishing and
maintaining emotional well being.
Does Energy Healing Really Work?
The thousands of energy healing recipients who have benefited
from the practice would answer in the affirmative. Is there any
scientific data to back up these claims? Admittedly, energy
healing techniques have not been the focus of a great deal of
government funded research; however, the studies hat have been
performed lend credibility to the effectiveness of this method
of healing.
For instance, the medical journal Annals of Internal Medicine
published a review of clinical trials concerning various types
of alternative healing methods. Energy healing was found to be
the most effective practice, producing statistically significant
results in 65 percent of the test subjects. To put this finding
into perspective, many drugs in use today fail to achieve a
response rate higher than 50 percent in clinical trials.
One of the most complete studies of research showing the
effectiveness of energy healing comes from psychiatrist, Dr.
Daniel J. Benor. Dr. Benor surveyed all such research and
studies made prior to 1990. They consisted of research performed
on, cells, yeasts, bacteria, enzymes, plants, animals and
humans. Of the 131 controlled experiments on spiritual, psychic,
prayer or psi healing, over 50% showed statistically significant
results. In 56 of the studies performed, there was less than a 1
in a 100 possibility that positive results were due to chance.
Perhaps the most significant evidence of the effectiveness of
energy healing techniques stems from the growing number of
people seeking such treatments. It is doubtful that a practice
with limited benefits would continue to attract so much
interest.