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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le Gallez, P., Dimmock, S., & Bird, H. A. (2000). Spiritual healing as adjunct therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Nurs, 9(11), 695-700.
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O'Mathuna, D. P. (2001). No specific effects on chronic pain from spiritual healing. Focus Alt Comp Ther, 6(2), 135-136.
Sicher, F., Targ, E., Moore, D., et al. (1998). A randomized double-blind study of the effect of distant healing in a population with advanced AIDS. Report of a small scale study. West J Med, 169(6), 356-363.
Sundblom, D. M., Haikonen, S., Niemi-Pynttari. J., et al. (1994). Effect of spiritual healing on chronic idiopathic pain: A medical and psychological study. Clin J Pain, 10(4), 296-302.
Walach, H., Lewith, G., Bosch, H., et al. (2002). Spiritual healing as a therapy for chronic pain: A randomized, clinical trial. Pain, 96(3), 403-405.
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