FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Healing Touch is a therapy that helps to restore and balance energy that has been depleted, due to stress, illness, injury, grief, medical conditions, surgery or medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. The goal of Healing Touch is to restore harmony and balance in the human energy system by creating an optimal environment to enable the body's innate tendency for healing to occur.

When our energy system is depleted we feel tired, we have difficulty coping and it is difficult for our immune system to function properly.

When our energy system is off balance, the energy that usually flows through and around our bodies becomes congested. For example – pain is congested energy. When an individual has pain, the practitioner focuses on removing the energy congestion so that the pain level is reduced. Think of times when you have been stressed and how it affected your body. You may have experienced muscle tightness in your neck and shoulders, developed a headache or had discomfort in other parts of your body. Stress causes congestion in our energy system. Healing Touch techniques help to relieve that congestion.

Healing Touch promotes relaxation. When your body relaxes, endorphins are released from the brain, which helps the muscles to relax. When the muscles relax, circulation is improved and the increased blood flow elevates oxygen levels throughout the body. This in turn allows nutrients to be absorbed more efficiently, enzymes are built to aid digestion, hormones are regulated, and toxins are released from the body. This allows healthy cells to regenerate and promotes a sense of well-being which then supports healing and regulates the immune system.

We are integrated beings and we cannot separate the physical from the emotional, mental or spiritual aspects of ourselves. When we are physically ill, we are also affected emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Likewise, when we are stressed or emotional about something we often feel it in our physical body such as developing a headache or we have a change in digestion or have difficulty sleeping. Our body, mind, emotion and spirit are who we are as a whole person and we need to take care of that whole person. Healing Touch effects the whole person.

Healing Touch (HT) is one of many energy-based modalities that is being increasingly studied. Many science disciplines are turning to the study of subtle energies in their quest to understand the phenomena of energy-based therapies. The Healing Touch ProgramResearch website is available to provide documented research on Healing Touch and related modalities.

Healing Touch and Reiki are both energy medicine modalities used for healing. Reiki is an ancient energy modality that is initiated by a Reiki Master through "attunement". Healing Touch works with very specific techniques for various applications and gives structure to the healing treatment provided. Reiki uses a more generalized approach to balance the energy body.

• Reduces pain

• Reduces anxiety

• Enhances recovery from surgery

• Improves mobility after surgery

• Relieves tension, stress and depression

• Provides support during chemotherapy and radiation therapy

• Strengthens the immune system

• Reduces the effects of trauma and Chronic pain

• Supports the dying process

• Deepens spiritual connection

• Reduces the length of hospital stays

• What are other benefits of using Healing Touch/energy medicine?

• ​NON-INVASIVE - Healing Touch is done without the use of invasive procedures and offers a holistic way of healing that is gentle on the body.

• EFFECTIVE - Research has shown that Healing Touch facilitates the relaxation response and enhances the healing process.

• NON-TOXIC - Healing Touch restores balance and harmony to our natural biofield without the use of pharmaceuticals.

• ECONOMICAL - Healing Touch does not require the use of equipment or substances and can be done in any setting.

No, you can keep your skepticism and it will still work! Your body's intuitive wisdom will process and benefit from what it knows is for your highest good, whether or not your conscious mind thinks it's "a little out there". And remember, your Spirit will automatically "veto" anything that it deems is not in your best interest.

Absolutely not. Healing Touch should be used in conjunction with – not instead of – traditional medical care. Healing Touch can facilitate self-healing but is not a replacement for traditional health care, medical diagnosis or medical treatment for illness.

The first session involves a consultation in addition to the Healing Touch session. The practitioner will ask a series of questions about your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health issues, and will answer questions about Healing Touch. Then you lay fully clothed on a treatment table while the practitioner gently places his or her hands slightly above or on the body. The session generally lasts 40 to 60 minutes, and people frequently report feeling deeply relaxed and peaceful during and after the session. Because there may be a cumulative effect of using Healing Touch over time, regular sessions are recommended.

Healing Touch can be performed almost anywhere – in the home, hospitals, nursing homes, hospices or the practitioner place of business.

The number of sessions for Healing Touch is dependent upon the needs of the client. Often for a new client, three treatments are scheduled. After each session, the client's needs are reassessed to plan the care appropriately. This will include the need for further treatments, referrals to other professionals, and instruction in self-care as needed and in collaboration with the wishes of the client.

f you have an acute condition, such as recent surgery or a recent injury, more benefit is derived by a Healing Touch treatment daily or every other day for three to five visits. If you have a chronic condition, the practitioner will suggest that you be seen once a week for three to five weeks as it sometimes takes up to three visits for there to be a noticeable benefit.

The energy shifts immediately with the integration, like a light being turned on in a dark room. The overall feeling of relaxation is commonly experienced. Pain relief is often reported after one session. Most people report that they feel much "lighter" after the session. That is because they literally are! Emotions such as depression, anger, guilt, etc. are often released. Once released, the void where those emotions were formerly held may be automatically filled with light, truth, love, forgiveness, and joy. With some issues, you will immediately notice they are no longer there because you are not worried about them anymore. That worry is replaced by peace. With other issues, although the energetic changes are in place, you may not recognize the change right away.

No, you do not need to undress to receive a session. In Healing Touch sessions, the client will remain dressed but usually remove their shoes and any binding items such as a belt. Comfortable clothing is recommended.

The only way Healing Touch is like massage is that you lie on a treatment table for the session, if you choose. You can also sit on a chair to receive a treatment. Either way, you stay fully clothed but may be asked to remove your shoes. With massage, muscles are manipulated and pressure is applied. When doing Healing Touch the practitioner uses very light, gentle touch and/or makes sweeping movements with his/her hands near the body.

All the Healing Touch techniques can be done without the practitioner directly touching you and will be just as effective. If you do not feel comfortable during a Healing Touch session, feedback is always encouraged and welcome. Please speak up. If you do not feel comfortable, your practitioner can increase/decrease pressure; provide you with blanket/remove a blanket; let you adjust your position; and/or stop working on the part of your body that is giving you discomfort.

That is up to you. When the environment permits, soothing music may be played during the session. A session is your time to relax and the goal is to provide you with an environment that helps you do just that. You may also feel free to speak with your practitioner during a session. This is your time, however, and many times patients choose to simply lie quietly and receive a treatment.

Healing Touch is beneficial to everyone and works as a complementary therapy to conventional medicine and other therapies. You can be any age to receive Healing Touch – from newborn to the elderly. Because Healing Touch techniques are so gentle, and can do no harm, there is no age limit. Healing Touch can even work on babies still in the womb.

Yes, because energy is not limited by time or distance, Healing Touch works just as powerfully whether working with someone one-on-one or at a distance.

You do not need to be referred by a physician or other medical professional to receive a Healing Touch treatment. However, because Healing Touch is complementary to conventional medicine, medical professionals will often recommend that you receive Healing Touch treatments to improve your overall health and healing.