Alternative medicine is a controversial subject. It includesmassage therapy, acupuncture and hands-off/ hands-on energyhealing. In the past I rejected massage —- too invasive of myprivacy. I dismissed acupuncture —- I did not want needles stuckin my person. As for hands-on or -off healing, to me at the time itwas voodoo nonsense. I acknowledged that a warm handshake, a touchor a hug were comforting, but healing? Not possible.
In the past five years, I have experienced all three of thesehealing, helpful therapies and have changed my way of thinking.
Energy healing is when one person sends energy to another forthe specific purpose of healing. It is probably one of the oldestforms of healing yet is little-known or understood. (Editor’s note:There is still no scientific proof that energy healing works,although anecdotal evidence is plentiful. And it must be consideredin the light of new studies that show placebos to be as healing asmany other treatments, conventional and alternative.)
We all possess electricity in our beings, and the energy healersbelieve it is possible to transfer that energy from one person toanother. Is the transmitter praying, guiding our mental process, orrepeating a soothing litany? Possibly all three; sharing calm andunderstanding, plus love and respect for self, is the road tohealing.
The benefits of this healing are diverse, difficult to measure,but there are many: increase circulation, ease and diminish pain,promote faster recovery, escalate energy and promote betterhandling of emotional issues. Like acupuncture, energy healingdelivers a “feel-good, feel-better” effect.
Some practitioners do hands-on treatment, others do not. Feesrange from free to $100 or more per hour. Formal training isavailable, though much of it is experiential, learning by doing.Certification is available.
I have an experience to share. A new friend invited me, with twoothers, to tea. She had heard about my accident and offered to helpme. I believe she asked, “May I come by and bring you some energy?”Perhaps she said “some healing energy.” I do know I declined. I wasexpecting my acupuncturist and did not want to have two healerscollide in my living room. But the invitation to tea, Iaccepted.
In the middle of a pleasant conversation, our hostess got up andvery quietly stood behind me. I had no idea what she was doing backthere and I never turned around. Within minutes, maybe seconds, Ibegan to feel a pleasant sensation that I can only describe as amodest and continuing electric shock. I sat still for it; I was notoffended, it delivered a comforting feeling. We four carried onwith our conversation.
When she finished, she touched my head lightly, put her hands onmy shoulders and returned to her seat. I simply said “thank you”—- for what, I did not know, though I understood good intent andconcern for me. We did not discuss it.
On the night after that night, I awakened from a sound sleep andsaid to myself, “I am no longer in pain, I bet she did it!” Thatwas 10 days ago, and I have not taken a pain pill for my broken ribsince!
Subsequently, I spoke to my friend and spent some timediscussing her talent and interest in healing. As a child, she andothers sensed that she had a special talent in her small hands. Thetraining she received is experiential, including much reading andmany seminars. This evolved after a successful business career. Sheis a woman of faith, who believes in God and love withoutlabels.
I do not thoroughly understand energy healing. I know that thiswoman who helped me through a tough event is sincere and has greatconfidence. She is eager to transmit that confidence, her calm andthat faith in oneself to others.
Energy healing is non-invasive, non-medical, and as I noted, itis not the new kid on the block. It shares with acupunctureconcepts of our inner body functions, connections and energy. Likeall medicine, alternative or primary medicine, healing is the goal.Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine includes acupuncture and”the healing touch” in its alternative care program. The centercustomizes care for patients and takes a holistic approach thatcombines and enhances traditional and alternative medicine.
I have not forgotten massage. It is a therapy prescribed bymainstream as well as alternative medicine. Many therapies we applytoday for healing are dependent on the talent of special hands.Alternative medicine is controversial for many, healing for others.I am show and tell.
Agnes Herman is a freelance columnist. Contact her at760-744-6878; e-mail to aggherman@sbcglobal.net.
