Energy Therapies — A Complementary Approach to Promote Well-Being

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Energy therapies such as healing touch, qi gong and reiki are low-risk, relatively inexpensive techniques that may help improve health and well-being, according to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.

Energy therapies are considered complementary and alternative health practices. Acupuncture is the best known, but others are gradually being integrated into health care practices in the United States.

Energy therapies come from many cultures and are based on ideas about natural energy fields. They aim to create a free flow of energy by clearing, balancing and stimulating the human energy system. Though energy therapies are not well understood or always embraced by traditional medical providers, proponents believe that a balanced energy system encourages wholeness — emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource provides a synopsis of three energy therapies:

Healing touch: Also known as therapeutic touch, healing touch is meant to stimulate the body's self-healing processes. Gentle touching moves energy from the practitioner to the recipient, strengthening and reorienting the recipient's energy flow within and around the body. Some people find healing touch relaxing. There's little evidence to suggest other health benefits.

Qi gong: The Chinese word "qi gong" combines the term "qi" (chee), which means life force or vital energy, and "gong" (kung), meaning accomplishment or skill. Qi gong has many forms and is a common health practice throughout China. Two of the most common forms are tai chi and kung fu. In general, qi gong combines rhythmic movements, breathing techniques and focused intentions. Some approaches increase energy while others are used to cleanse and heal the body.

Reiki: In a reiki session, the practitioner's hands are positioned either on or a few inches above the recipient's body. The goal is to raise the amount of "ki", or life force energy, in and around the person. The reiki practitioner uses between 12 and 15 different hand positions, holding each one for several minutes until the flow of energy slows or stops.

Like healing touch, reiki can promote relaxation. One study suggests it may positively affect blood pressure and heart and respiration rates.

Because of a lack of research, it's hard to say for certain that energy therapies are completely safe and work or don't work. Still, for people drawn to these approaches, they may be worth a try.

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Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9751, (toll-free) or visit www.bookstore.mayoclinic.com.

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