What is it?

It is believed that this vital life force energy continually flows throughout the body in organized patterns. Just as the blood does. Unlike blood, however life force energy does not stop at the surface of the skin. It extends several inches beyond the body. Thereby creating a unique energy field (the biofield aura) for each individual.

When a person’s energy flows freely in a balanced, good health can be maintained. However, when the energy flow becomes restricted, disordered or weakened, an imbalance occurs and an excess deficiency of energy results. This can lead to symptoms of emotional and physical distress and eventually to chronic pain and disease.

Many traditional health systems have long recognized this vital life force principle and have employed it in healing. Indeed, such widely known systems as East Asian medicine (acupuncture, acupressure, shiatsu, and so on), homeopathy, naturopathy Ayurvedic medicine, anthroposophical medicine, traditional osteopathy, chiropractic, and shamanistic healing use some aspect of the vital life force principle in diagnosis and treatment. In addition, practices such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, and some forms of meditation incorporate perceiving and directing this energy flow in one’s own body. Lesser-known therapies that use energy healing include crystal and gem therapy, Bach flower remedies, magnet therapy and craniosacral therapy.

More recently the term “energy healing” has come to refer to the abilities of individual healers, who diagnose and treat energy imbalances in clients using their own energy fields. In some cultures such healers are considered to have God-given spiritual gifts. However, as energy healing has become more widely recognized, the methods of energy taught in various cultures are now being integrated into training programs and profession schools. In such programs, practitioners learn to develop their innate talents in a consistent manner. Common hands-on energy healing practices taught in the United States include Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, Reiki, polarity therapy and Jin Shin Jyutsu.