It wasn’t that many years ago when chiropractic and acupuncture were considered too alternative to be considered by western doctors as serious, nonetheless to be covered by insurance. Today both are endorsed by the American Medical Association as viable forms of healing and most insurance companies offer at least partial coverage for either. Time has witnessed a change in perception of what these modalities provide as preventive, remedial and in some cases curative treatments. Once looked upon with similar skepticism as chiropractors and acupuncturists are energy healers.
Possibly one of the oldest forms of medicine ever practiced with evidence of hands-on healing dating back to the Egyptians, some form of healing touch has likely been around since the dawn of mankind yet it was in the 1900s that it began building credibility within the medical establishment. In the 1930’s, a Reiki clinic in Japan caught the attention of a prominent medical doctor who became enthralled by the number of patients improving that otherwise were not satisfied with traditional allopathic care. He went on to become trained himself and within a few short years opened a clinic of his own. Over the course of the next several decades, Reiki became recognized globally. Later in the 1980s, a nurse in the United States began organizing elaborate clinical studies investigating the value of gentle hands-on and hands-off the body healing. She formed Healing Touch in 1989, which today has become renowned in hospitals worldwide and is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association.
While both modalities have gained popularity in the nursing community, they have also attracted the mainstream. For the past few decades, Reiki and Healing Touch are commonly offered as part of hospital protocol. Hospital offerings often operate on a volunteer basis with trained professionals organized by the overseeing volunteer coordinator providing staff support and/or patient services. Big changes have come in recent years with energy healing widely available at hospitals and as a common menu item at massage studios, resorts and spas, health clinics, physical therapy facilities, athletic training gyms and the like. Even more exciting is that in the past decade insurance companies have developed a billing code for general energy healing when administered by a licensed professional, where not only Reiki and Healing Touch are covered but also other modalities like Cranio-Sacral Therapy are eligible as well.
These positive changes are a sign of the times. No longer restricted to only patients recovering in their hospital beds, some hospitals have even expanded their energy healing offerings to the operating room. That’s right, not only is energy healing available at many hospitals to provide patients with general comfort or as a post-operative treatment but since the mid 90s Reiki has been allowed in some hospitals to support surgical procedures. Some have training programs with trained staff members including physicians and nurses, others allow qualified professionals from the outside at the request of the patient. With even a handful of hospitals embracing the healing value of a field now gaining notoriety coined collectively as ‘energy medicine’, it is a tremendous step forward for all energy healing modalities and the many patients that may benefit from them. Shown to expedite recovery time, lower stress, increase relaxation, improve mood, and enhance a spiritual connection, gentle touch is used to facilitate the body’s innate ability to heal.
Imagine entering an environment where medical professionals join hands to acknowledge the Earthly support through the expertise of each other as well as to acknowledge a reverence for Universal support. Energy healing bridges an archaic gap of detachment to create a valuable connection leaving patients feeling supported like never before. It is no wonder that most if not all of these patients experience success during surgery with remarkable recovery times. There are obvious physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of each of us. Why not incorporate them all in to the healing experience? If I should ever find myself in a hospital, I would take great comfort at having energy healing on the roster of services or even better to be greeted by one of the many nurses I have personally trained over the years. What a divine blessing it would be indeed.
While energy healing still may have a ways to go to gain total acceptance by the medical community, as a treatment it has come nearly as far as chiropractic and acupuncture where skepticism is waning and exciting changes in perception are evolving. Understand that just like in any profession, there are practitioners who will be better equipped in their trade than others. It is important to seek out professionals who either come by recommendation or from whom you have had a personal experience with and can attest to their aptitude.
Resources:
International Association of Reiki Practitioners
Keyes, Raven (2015) The Healing Light of Angels (1st ed.) Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease and is solely for the purpose of sharing information. You are advised to consult with a licensed physician before considering any new protocol.
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