Therapeutic Touch and Other Holistic Healing
Holistic healing was once considered the realm of tree-hugging hippies armed with crystals, herbal teas and incense. Any mention of natural healing was met with sighs of disbelief and groans of disapproval.
The ever-increasing number of lawsuits aimed at pharmaceutical companies as a result of dangerous, and sometimes deadly, drug reactions has set the clock back. It has resurrected an interest in more holistic treatments for disease and illness. A strong desire to avoid invasive surgeries and unpredictable medications has pushed many people to find alternatives that are time-tested-and-honored holistic healing methods.
Holistic is defined as emphasizing the organic or functional relation between parts and the whole. Holistic healing integrates and uses the body, mind and spirit to facilitate healing of the parts by improving the condition of the whole. If mental, physical and spiritual health are at odds, the imbalance often appears as an illness, disorder or other condition. Balancing those elements allows the body to work as a well-oiled machine. When we focus on our physical health, we often overlook our mental health. Holistic healing is effective in uniting the halves as one efficient whole.
Holistic healing aids our ability to heal wounds and fight off diseases. No part of the individual’s health is neglected in a holistic course of treatment. Therapeutic touch is a type of holistic healing that involves manipulation of the individual’s energy field, directing the flow of vital, life-sustaining forces. 
When the body and mind are healthy, vital life energy flows freely. Damage or disease can interrupt that flow and influence over all health. Sending this energy, sometimes referred to as chi or prana, to a specific area of the body induces faster healing and better health. Moving the energy around the body facilitates even distribution to speed the overall healing and health of the entire person.
The history of therapeutic touch as holistic healing began with its inception in 1970. Therapeutic touch courses are offered at over 80 colleges and hospitals in Canada. The holistic healing practice is also supported by the American Nurses’ Association and The National League of Nurses. The basic foundation of this holistic healing method is probably correlated to the concept of faith healing or “laying of hands”.
Holistic healing is known by many names. Alternative medicine, complementary medicine, holistic health and integrative medicine are all terms for holistic healing. Ayurvedic medicine is a holistic approach to health with origins in India. It is still practiced by millions of people today. Ayurvedic medicine is widely considered to be the world’s oldest holistic health care system. Aromatherapy and herbal remedies are passed from one generation to the next as a means of more holistic healing and living. Other types of holistic healing include traditional Chinese medicines like acupuncture and acupressure. Homeopathy and naturopathic medicines also fall under the umbrella of holistic healing.
As interest continues to grow, holistic healing is winning new followers everyday. The innumerable benefits of holistic healing are certainly a powerful incentive to use them in our daily lives.