The science of energy healing has several facets. To start, quantum physics tells us that all matter is a bundle of energy that emits a surrounding field, even human beings. It might surprise you that familiar medical devices already use energy. For example, magnetic resonance imagery (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scans, and x-rays measure aspects of energy to help doctors find out what’s wrong.  Additionally, devices like pacemakers and cochlear implants assist functioning. Such “electroceuticals” are a growing focus of developing new treatments for disease and injury. They use energy in the body that can be measured and stimulated.

Challenge of Measurement

Within the medical field,  the science of energy healing approaches like Healing Touch have a challenge explaining how they work. At present, researchers can’t measure the subtle energy that these modalities address. Although countless people report positive experiences with energy healing, researchers find it difficult to determine whether or how much outcomes result solely from energy healing techniques or  other factors.  As a result, some doctors remain skeptical of energy healing’s value and relevance.

Ancient Roots

Yet “laying on of hands” is the world’s oldest form of healing. All over the globe, hands-on practices emerged among different cultures over thousands of years. Ancient Hindu texts first described the chakras as the body’s energy centers. Awareness of energy pathways called meridians led Chinese medicine practitioners to create acupuncture.

In the present day, besides Healing Touch, energy healing approaches include pranic healing, acupuncture, Reiki, and qigong. So many people used them during the 20th century that the National Institutes for Health established an Office of Alternative Medicine in 1992 to consider them together and collect information.

Research Examples

Research to date shows the promise of energy healing with little or no risk of negative effect. For example:

  • A systematic review in 2010 of 66 energy healing studies found strong evidence for decreased pain intensity in outpatient settings and moderate evidence for decreased pain in hospital and cancer patients.
  • A randomized controlled trial in 2012 looked at whether energy healing could address cancer-related fatigue, which affects one-third of breast cancer survivors even after treatment. The group that received energy healing and those who received mock healing showed clinically significant reduction in fatigue. The healing group uniquely showed an increase in cortisol variability, which is associated with better sleep patterns.
  • A pilot study of twelve patients with chronic pain from a spinal cord injury occurred in 2005. In weekly home visits, one group received Healing Touch and the other did guided relaxation. The study measured the pain level, mood, and satisfaction of both groups and found some reduction of the pain in the Healing Touch group and less fatigue. However, individuals experienced widely different results.

Meanwhile, many hospitals around the country offer Healing Touch and Reiki. In fact, a nurse founded Healing Touch and first introduced in hospitals. Enthusiastic response from recipients helped fuel its spread to community settings. Research into the science of energy healing continues, not only to demonstrate its benefits from a clinical perspective but also to advance a holistic understanding of the human person and the nature of healing.

 

 

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash