Healing
Touch is an energy-based therapy that supports the body's
natural healing process. At Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Medical Center, Healing Touch practitioners use gentle movements
of their hands - either lightly touching the body or several
inches above it - to sooth and balance the energy field. Healing
touch assists in creating an environment of safety and harmony
to soothe and comfort a frightened child. Benefits for children:
* Relieves pain * Promotes relaxation * Reduces anxiety and
stress * Supports the body's natural healing process * Prepares
the child for medical treatments, procedures and surgery *
Increases energy * Provides comfort for patients who are dying
Principles The five principles that are the basis of Therapeutic
Touch and Healing Touch are:
1. Human energy field Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch
are based on the belief that that humans and animals possess
an energy field that permeates the body and extends beyond
it. The energy fields especially emanate from seven areas,
called chakras, based on ancient practices from India.
2. Effects of energy field Disease, illness, injury or discomfort
show up as changes or differences in the energy field. Eliminating
these differences can relieve discomfort and aid in the healing
process.
3. Perception People can be trained to perceive the energy
field of others and thus determine problem areas in the patient.
The intention of the practitioner is important in perception.
Often the motion of a pendulum over chakra areas is used to
indicate the state of the energy field.
4. Changing field A trained practitioner can manipulate the
energy field to relieve discomfort and promote healing. The
intention of the practitioner is important in affecting the
field.
5. Using hands The practitioner's hands are used to perceive
and change the energy fields. A pendulum held in the hand
is often used to indicate the state of the energy field at
the chakra areas