Healing touch therapy thrives despite skeptics
Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:25pm EST
By Vivianne Rodrigues

NEW YORK (Reuters) - It's not traditional medicine but patients love it: an unconventional therapy called the healing touch that is gaining acceptance in some U.S. hospitals.

The technique uses light touch and deep breathing to address energy imbalances, its advocates say. Though research on it is limited, the therapy is practiced at 30 U.S. hospitals and by nearly 2,000 certified therapists, according to Healing Touch International, based in Denver.

"Healing touch raised my awareness and brought me a deep state of relaxation, which is not something you can get just by taking pain medicine," said Sarla Santos, 40, a nurse who underwent lung surgery in October and receives healing touch therapy at New York University Medical Center.

"Pain medication takes the pain out but doesn't make you feel good or calm."

The U.S. National Institutes of Health classifies healing touch as "energy medicine," in which practitioners believe illness results from disturbances of subtle energy fields, and calls it controversial.

The NIH says neither the external energy fields nor the therapeutic effects have been demonstrated convincingly.

NYU Medical Center has approved it as a complement to traditional rehabilitation, offering patients and staff free sessions as part of the hospital's MindBody Patient Care Program.

The system incorporates ancient Asian healing techniques and was developed in the 1980s by Janet Mentgen, a nurse in Colorado.

A healing touch therapist will gently touch or glide his hands through the patient's energy points or affected areas, such as shoulders, feet and forehead. The practitioner concentrates on each point for a few minutes.

Lisa Anselme, executive director at the Denver organization, said the method was not meant to stand alone.

"Healing touch is not intended to replace standard treatment. It's a complementary therapy," said Anselme, a registered nurse and healing touch practitioner.

Jackie Levin, a nurse who coordinates the NYU program, said the treatment works well for people with anxiety, depression and stress associated with surgery and cancer treatments.

"It's very safe, very calming and in the end, almost everyone can benefit from it," said Levin.

Nancy Hauserman, 58, a college professor in Iowa City, sought healing touch therapy twice, first during a period of emotional distress and then after foot surgery.

"I would still see my doctor, but I wanted to make sure that there were no blockages between my mind and body at that time," Hauserman said. "In fact, my own doctor was extremely impressed with how fast my wound has healed."

One step at a time, at least they have something good to say.

I don't know about anyone else, but over the past year or so alot more people are turning to alternative therapies for healing and wellbeing.  I believe it is a shift in time and in the overall consciousness of us all.  I have found two doctors where I live that approve of a majority of the altenative therapies including Reiki and other energy work.

It is so nice to see that people are becoming more open to the possibilities and not ruling it all out as mumbo jumbo.

Although there are some who will never be open to it.  I still think it is wonderful that so many are now trying and admitting that they find it a valuable healing tool

Kath

I have noticed it too, Kath, and it is a wonderful time for all of the light-workers and healers around us. The enlightenment is soon to be even more widespread I beleive, and for that we can thank all of those folks who are not afraid to discuss and share their beliefs and healing methods with others.

It's awesome!

Blessings Bright and Dark,