Everything you ever wanted to know about Healing Touch

What is Healing Touch?

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.

What happens when our energy system becomes depleted or imbalanced?

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.

How does our body respond to energy therapy such as Healing Touch?

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.

Why do you say that Healing Touch effects body, mind, emotion and spirit?

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.

What are some of the benefits of Healing Touch therapy?

• 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 chronic pain.  It is especially useful for patients who are in pain, but unable to tolerate traditional massage or touch, such as fibromyalgia and burn patients.

• Reduces the effects of trauma, including PTSD

• Supports the dying process

• Deepens spiritual connection

• Reduces the length of hospital stays

Do I have to believe in this for it to work on me?

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.

Do you have to be a certain age to receive Healing Touch?

You can be any age to receive Healing Touch – from newborn to the elderly.

Is Healing Touch for everybody?

Healing Touch is beneficial to everyone and works as a complementary therapy to conventional medicine and other therapies.

How soon will I notice results?

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.

What to Expect During Your Healing Touch Session

How long does a treatment/session last?

Most sessions last approximately an hour, depending on the clients needs.

Do I have to undress to receive a session?

No, you do not need to undress to receive a session.

Is Healing Touch like getting a massage?

The only way Healing Touch is like massage is that you lie on a massage table for the treatment, 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.

What if I do not like to be touched?

All the techniques can be done without the practitioner directly touching you and will be just as effective.

What if I 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 (may increase/decrease pressure, provide you with blanket,) stop working on the part of your body that is giving you discomfort.

Can I talk to my practitioner or listen to music during a session?

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.

How young of a child can these techniques be used on?

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.