The Practice of Spiritual Healing

The use of spiritual healing has ancient roots and can be traced as far back as the New Testament of the Bible. In modern times, spiritual healing consists of various therapeutic techniques involving spiritual aspects with overlap between the different approaches.

While some schools offer certification in healing, there is no official licensure in this area. In England, there are thousands of practitioners registered in numerous healing organizations, mosgt of which require a minimum of 2 to 3 years of training for healers. In the United States, therapies related to spiritual healing include therapeutic touch (TT), Reiki, and other types of energy healing.

Spiritual healing is sometimes practiced free of charge in a variety of settings. Treatments are given at healing centers, in medical settings, in hospice programs, in the home, and from a distance.

Over the year, various theories have been proposed by healers and healing organizations to explain how these techniques might work. Reliable scientific study of these theories is limited, largely likely due to difficulties designing research in this area. Some healers suggest that illness is caused by imbalances in the body, and that channeling energy via the healer to the patient is part of the therapy. In this model, spiritual healing is considered to be an interaction between the healer and an ill individual, with the intention of bringing about an improvement or cure of an illness. The healer is generally not considered to be the source of healing energy, but rather as serving as a vehicle for channeling greater forms of energy to the patient.

Significant effects of distant healing have been demonstrated randomized controlled trials in humans, animals, plants, bacteria, yeasts, cells in the laboratory, and DNA. Fascinating insights about energy medicine have been suggested by these studies.

Depending on the technique, it is believed that energy can be passed through physical contact or distance healing, that is to say healing someone who is located elsewhere. Distant approaches may include directing compassionate thoughts, intentions, or prayers towards others. Participation by the patient may also be included, and healers may encourage visualization techniques, prayer, or positive thinking.

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Randi Fredricks is a Naturopathic Psychotherapist with a Doctorate in Naturopathy and a Masters in Psychology. She counsels clients at her office in San Jose, California. You can reach Randi at 408-315-0645 or contact her online. This article may be taken partially or in whole from Randi Fredricks' book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems.
















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