THERAPEUTIC TOUCH Therapeutic Touch is a derivative of "laying on of hands" healing. The underlying premise of Therapeutic Touch is that healing is promoted when the energy (vital life force) enveloping the body is in balance. The disease process is thought to be manifested when this energy is in a state of imbalance. By passing her hands lightly over a person's body, the healer can feel any energy imbalances (it takes experience and practice to become familiar with how this feels). These usually show up as one of several sensations: heat, cold, tingling, pulsation, electric shock, or tightness. Proponents of Therapeutic Touch believe that anyone can be taught to sensitize herself and feel the unnamed and unmeasured energy that envelops every person. And with the proper intention, the healer can direct her healing energy to the person she is working with or she can finetune and balance that person's own energy. Therapeutic Touch was developed by Dolores Krieger, RN, a professor of nursing at New York University, and Dora Kunz, a clairvoyant and gifted healer in her own right. Krieger grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and while in her early twenties enrolled in nursing school. Personal interests led her to study the theories of the major religions and later explore Eastern esoterica. In the early 1950's Krieger joined a meditation group led by Dora Kunz, who became her friend, mentor, and eventual collaborator in developing Therapeutic Touch. In the late 1960's and early 1970's Kunz was studying the laying on of hands as practiced by world-renowned healer Colonel Oscar Estabany. Kunz invited Krieger to meet Colonel Estabany, a 71 year old former Hungarian cavalry officer. Krieger carefully observed Estabany session after session as he would sit quietly next to each patient brought to him by Kunz, and gently allow his hands to move to the spot he felt needed healing. Dolores Kreiger attempted to imitate what Estabany was doing, after having watched him alleviate and seemingly cure a wide variety of illnesses. Dora interpreted for Dolores, as Estebany spoke very little English, and gave her feedback on her attempts. Through this method Krieger and Kunz developed what is now known as Therapeutic Touch. Studies Krieger carried out on patients recieving Therapeutic Touch showed that their hemoglobin value (the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen) was significantly raised afterwards. Krieger taught several nurses her technique and tested patients they treated. The result were the same: raised hemoglobin value. Now convinced of the efficacy of Therapeutic Touch, she began to give workshops on the technique to thousands of health care workers; in 1976 she was allowed to teach a master's level course at New York University (where she was a tenured professor) in Therapeutic Touch. In Therapuetic Touch the patient can be sitting or lying down while receiving the treatment and can be either conscious or unconscious while the healing takes place. The healer, a nurse or other health practitioner, becomes centered in a meditative state before touching the receiver. With compassion and motivation the healer focuses her consciousness with strong intent to help or heal the individual. This is an important part of the process. The practitioner then accesses the individual's energy field and transmits energy to her as appropriate. This requires that the healer's hands be sensitive to temperature change, pressure, and other sensations that indicate the location of energy blocks. This is a skill developed with experience and requires no attunement process. After the areas of imbalance have been determined, the practitioner begins to move or redistribute the energy around the body, relieving parts that are congested and enhancing those that are lacking energy. Therapeutic Touch is noticeably useful for two purposes: it elicits a rather profound relaxation in the patient, and it is very good at relieving pain. Ultimately it is the patient who heals herself. The healer's role is only to accelerate the patient's own healing process by giving her a boost of energy until her recuperative system can take over. It can also be used as a self-healing technique. In addition to an excellent book Therapeutic touch: How to Use Your Hands to Heal by Dolores Krieger, PhD, RN, there is another titled Therapeutic Touch: a Practical Guide by Janet Macrae. For additional information contact the Nurse Healers - Professional Association or the American Holistic Nurses Association. Kastner, Mark, L.A.c., Dipl.Ac., and Burroughs, Hugh Alternative Healing - The Complete A to Z Guide to More Than 150 Alternative Therapies Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1996, P.253-255. Procedure Should take about 15 to 20 minutes. Centering oneself physically and psychologically, that is finding within oneself an inner reference of stability. Assessment of the patient (Hand Scan), several inches from the body to locate any asymmetries in the energy field. Unruffling the field by brushing congested areas in the field allowing the energy to move more freely. Brush down and away from the body, with palms facing the patient. Direction and modulation of energy Once the field has been cleared treat the areas of congestion or blockage. Let the hands rest on or near the body area and direct energy in order to balance and correct the problem. Recognizing when it is time to stop when there are no longer any cues, when the body is symmetrical and there are no perceivable differences bilaterally. Allow for a period of rest. TT Links: Counseling with a Therapeutic Touch Nurse Healers - The Official Organization of Therapeutic Touch Shari Wald's Therapeutic Touch Page Therapeutic Touch - Valid Healing Therapy or Hoax Therapeutic Touch - What Could Be the Harm? NEWS Healthcare/Nursing/Policy Articles on NursingPower Natural Health Alternative Healing Technique . . .-------What is Alternative Healing?AcupunctureTherapeutic TouchPolarityThe Feldenkrais MethodChakra BalancingHealing with ChocolateDream TherapyHoxsey TreatmentReikiReiki SymbolsNatural AntibioticsColor TherapyCrystal HealingBiofeedbackWater/Dehydration CorrectionSleep ParalysisMagnet Therapy
Therapeutic Touch is a derivative of "laying on of hands" healing. The underlying premise of Therapeutic Touch is that healing is promoted when the energy (vital life force) enveloping the body is in balance. The disease process is thought to be manifested when this energy is in a state of imbalance.
By passing her hands lightly over a person's body, the healer can feel any energy imbalances (it takes experience and practice to become familiar with how this feels). These usually show up as one of several sensations: heat, cold, tingling, pulsation, electric shock, or tightness.
Proponents of Therapeutic Touch believe that anyone can be taught to sensitize herself and feel the unnamed and unmeasured energy that envelops every person. And with the proper intention, the healer can direct her healing energy to the person she is working with or she can finetune and balance that person's own energy.
Therapeutic Touch was developed by Dolores Krieger, RN, a professor of nursing at New York University, and Dora Kunz, a clairvoyant and gifted healer in her own right. Krieger grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and while in her early twenties enrolled in nursing school. Personal interests led her to study the theories of the major religions and later explore Eastern esoterica.
In the early 1950's Krieger joined a meditation group led by Dora Kunz, who became her friend, mentor, and eventual collaborator in developing Therapeutic Touch. In the late 1960's and early 1970's Kunz was studying the laying on of hands as practiced by world-renowned healer Colonel Oscar Estabany.
Kunz invited Krieger to meet Colonel Estabany, a 71 year old former Hungarian cavalry officer. Krieger carefully observed Estabany session after session as he would sit quietly next to each patient brought to him by Kunz, and gently allow his hands to move to the spot he felt needed healing.
Dolores Kreiger attempted to imitate what Estabany was doing, after having watched him alleviate and seemingly cure a wide variety of illnesses. Dora interpreted for Dolores, as Estebany spoke very little English, and gave her feedback on her attempts. Through this method Krieger and Kunz developed what is now known as Therapeutic Touch.
Studies Krieger carried out on patients recieving Therapeutic Touch showed that their hemoglobin value (the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen) was significantly raised afterwards. Krieger taught several nurses her technique and tested patients they treated. The result were the same: raised hemoglobin value.
Now convinced of the efficacy of Therapeutic Touch, she began to give workshops on the technique to thousands of health care workers; in 1976 she was allowed to teach a master's level course at New York University (where she was a tenured professor) in Therapeutic Touch.
In Therapuetic Touch the patient can be sitting or lying down while receiving the treatment and can be either conscious or unconscious while the healing takes place.
The healer, a nurse or other health practitioner, becomes centered in a meditative state before touching the receiver. With compassion and motivation the healer focuses her consciousness with strong intent to help or heal the individual. This is an important part of the process.
The practitioner then accesses the individual's energy field and transmits energy to her as appropriate. This requires that the healer's hands be sensitive to temperature change, pressure, and other sensations that indicate the location of energy blocks. This is a skill developed with experience and requires no attunement process.
After the areas of imbalance have been determined, the practitioner begins to move or redistribute the energy around the body, relieving parts that are congested and enhancing those that are lacking energy.
Therapeutic Touch is noticeably useful for two purposes: it elicits a rather profound relaxation in the patient, and it is very good at relieving pain.
Ultimately it is the patient who heals herself. The healer's role is only to accelerate the patient's own healing process by giving her a boost of energy until her recuperative system can take over. It can also be used as a self-healing technique.
In addition to an excellent book Therapeutic touch: How to Use Your Hands to Heal by Dolores Krieger, PhD, RN, there is another titled Therapeutic Touch: a Practical Guide by Janet Macrae. For additional information contact the Nurse Healers - Professional Association or the American Holistic Nurses Association.
Kastner, Mark, L.A.c., Dipl.Ac., and Burroughs, Hugh Alternative Healing - The Complete A to Z Guide to More Than 150 Alternative Therapies Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1996, P.253-255. Procedure
Should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Centering oneself physically and psychologically, that is finding within oneself an inner reference of stability.
Assessment of the patient (Hand Scan), several inches from the body to locate any asymmetries in the energy field.
Unruffling the field by brushing congested areas in the field allowing the energy to move more freely. Brush down and away from the body, with palms facing the patient.
Direction and modulation of energy Once the field has been cleared treat the areas of congestion or blockage. Let the hands rest on or near the body area and direct energy in order to balance and correct the problem.
Recognizing when it is time to stop when there are no longer any cues, when the body is symmetrical and there are no perceivable differences bilaterally. Allow for a period of rest.
TT Links:
Counseling with a Therapeutic Touch
Nurse Healers - The Official Organization of Therapeutic Touch
Shari Wald's Therapeutic Touch Page
Therapeutic Touch - Valid Healing Therapy or Hoax
Therapeutic Touch - What Could Be the Harm?
Healthcare/Nursing/Policy Articles on NursingPower Natural Health
