WHAT IS HEALING TOUCH?
Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing, heart-centered energy therapy that uses gentle, intentional touch that assists in balancing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Classified by the National Institutes of Health as a biofield therapy and nursing intervention, Healing Touch may be used to address the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA-1) diagnosis of “Imbalanced Energy Field.”
Healing Touch is a collection of standardized, noninvasive techniques that clear, energize, and balance the human and environmental energy fields. Healing Touch assists in creating a coherent and balanced energy field, supporting one’s inherent ability to heal. It is safe for all ages and works in harmony with, is complementary to, and may be integrated with standard medical care.
Participants learn about the research basis that suggests Healing Touch is beneficial in calming anxiety and reducing symptoms of depression, decreasing pain, strengthening the immune system, enhancing recovery from surgery, complementing care for neck and spine problems, deepening spiritual connection, supporting cancer care, creating a sense of well-being, easing acute and chronic conditions, and supporting resiliency in health care providers.
HOW CAN HEALING TOUCH BENEFIT YOU?
- Reduction of stress
- Improving anxiety and depression
- Decreasing pain
- Immune function
- Enhancing recovery from surgery
- Deepening spiritual connections
- Supporting cancer care
Research continues to build the evidence base of positive outcomes in response to Healing Touch. However, it should be noted that individual experiences may vary.
WHERE IS HEALING TOUCH USED?
Healing Touch is used in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices, hospices, and spas. Healing Touch was founded in 1989 as a continuing education program for nurses, massage therapists, other health care professionals, and lay persons. Today, Healing Touch is taught in universities, medical and nursing schools, and other settings around the world.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A HEALING TOUCH SESSION?
The first session involves a consultation in addition to the Healing Touch session. The provider will ask a series of questions about your physical, mental, and emotional situation, and will answer questions about Healing Touch. Then you lie fully clothed on a massage table while the provider 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.