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Energy
healing is a very widely used term for any form
of healing which balances, rejuvenates, or restores
the levels of energy in the body. The principles
of energy healing are rooted in the belief that
in addition to biological and bio-chemical systems,
the human body consists of a system of subtle
energies.
Most often referred to in the West as universal
life energy or bio-energy it is referred to as
various names among other cultures; in India it
is known as prana, the Japanese know it as qi;
in Hebrew it is called ruah, the Chinese refer
to it as ki, in Hawaii it is referred to as mana
or ti.
Energy healers believe that this universal energy
flows through the body in recognizable patterns.
This energy extends beyond the surface of the
body and creates an energy field, also known as
an aura or bio-field. When an individual's energy
patterns are balanced and free flowing, a healthy
life can be enjoyed. When the energy field becomes
disrupted, weakened or blocked, however, the symptoms
of physical and emotional damage can occur.
Prolonged disturbances in an individual's energy
field can lead to chronic pain, disease and emotional
disturbances. Many mainstream health systems have
employed the life energy principle within their
healing methods. Well known healing techniques
such as chiropractic healing, shiatsu massage,
acupuncture, osteopathy, acupressure, naturopathy,
reiki, touch therapy and several others, employ
various forms of energy field or life force principles
in the treatment and diagnosis of patients.
Traditional health care providers increasingly
offer these healing techniques as a compliment
to orthodox medical care. Energy healing works
by reconfiguring the energy that exists within
and around all living things. Energy manipulation
performed by a practitioner corrects imbalances
and blockages in the flow of life energies through
the body. The reconfiguring of life energy is
commonly performed with the hands, in some cases
it is carried out remotely.
Life energy also acts as a catalyst to accelerate
the natural healing process of the body. When
life energy is applied to the unhealthy part of
the body the rate of recovery or healing is increased.
Practices such as, qi-gong, tai-chi, yoga and
focused meditation also involve the perception,
manipulation and direction of universal life energy
within the body. Additionally, thought field therapy
incorporates similar methods for establishing
and maintaining emotional well being.
Does Energy Healing Really Work?
The thousands of energy healing recipients who
have benefited from the practice would answer
in the affirmative. Is there any scientific data
to back up these claims? Admittedly, energy healing
techniques have not been the focus of a great
deal of government funded research; however, the
studies hat have been performed lend credibility
to the effectiveness of this method of healing.
For instance, the medical journal, Annals of Internal
Medicine published a review of clinical trials
concerning various types of alternative healing
methods. Energy healing was found to be the most
effective practice, producing statistically significant
results in 65 percent of the test subjects. To
put this finding into perspective, many drugs
in use today fail to achieve a response rate higher
than 50 percent in clinical trials.
One of the most complete studies of research showing
the effectiveness of energy healing comes from
psychiatrist, Dr. Daniel J. Benor. Dr. Benor surveyed
all such research and studies made prior to 1990.
They consisted of research performed on, cells,
yeasts, bacteria, enzymes, plants, animals and
humans. Of the 131 controlled experiments on spiritual,
psychic, prayer or psi healing, over 50% showed
statistically significant results. In 56 of the
studies performed, there was less than a 1 in
a 100 possibility that positive results were due
to chance.
Perhaps the most significant evidence of the effectiveness
of energy healing techniques stems from the growing
number of people seeking such treatments. It is
doubtful that a practice with limited benefits
would continue to attract so much interest.
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