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What do Healers mean by Healing?

alanbjones

Healer and Healing
Healer and Healing
To many the word Healing implies Cure. Unfortunately, this oversimplification and misunderstanding can often be perpetuated by "healers' themselves.

Healing, for many alternative and complementary practitioners, goes beyond just physical recovery or the absence of illness. It encompasses a holistic approach to restoring balance and harmony within an individual's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. "Healings" can address various aspects of a person's life, including physical ailments, emotional trauma, imbalances, or even spiritual disconnection.


To heal is to facilitate a journey towards wholeness and self-discovery. It involves understanding and addressing the root cause of imbalances or disharmony, rather than merely treating symptoms.

This approach acknowledges that healing is not a quick fix but a process that requires active participation and commitment from both the healer and the individual seeking healing.


Healers often believe that true healing occurs when individuals take responsibility for their own well-being and actively engage in their own healing journey. It involves empowering individuals to make conscious choices that support their overall health and growth.


Healing takes various forms depending on the modality or techniques used by the practitioner.


It may involve physical touch, such as in massage therapy or chiropractic adjustments, to release tension and promote physical healing. Other healing practices may focus on energy work, such as Reiki or acupuncture, to rebalance and restore the flow of energy within the body. Whilst some forms of healing are simply conversational in nature.


What complementary practitioners call healing is not limited to the physical body. There is a recognition of the interconnectedness of the mind, emotions, and spirit.


Mental and emotional healing can be facilitated through therapies like counselling or psychotherapy, helping individuals navigate and process traumatic experiences, limiting beliefs, or negative patterns of behaviour.


Spiritual healing, on the other hand, may involve practices such as meditation, prayer, or connecting with higher consciousness, aiming to cultivate a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe.


Ultimately, healers view healing as a journey towards self-empowerment, self-awareness, and a harmonious existence. It involves addressing imbalances on multiple levels and fostering a sense of wholeness, vitality, and overall well-being.


By understanding and embracing the interconnectedness of their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects, individuals can embark on a transformative healing journey guided by skilled healers.


Healing Modalities


There are numerous healing modalities that healers may employ in their practice, each approaching healing in a unique way.


Some may specialise in traditional practices that have been passed down through generations, while others may incorporate modern and innovative techniques into their healing sessions. Regardless of the modality used, the goal remains the same: to facilitate healing and support individuals in their journey towards wholeness.


One popular modality is acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture aims to restore the flow of vital energy, known as Qi, along the body's meridian channels. By rebalancing and harmonising the body's energy, acupuncture can alleviate pain, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being.


Reiki, a Japanese technique that involves the channeling of energy through the healer's hands to the recipient. Reiki aims to rebalance and restore the body's energy, promoting relaxation, stress reduction, and healing on all levels. During a Reiki session, the healer may gently place their hands on or above the recipient's body, allowing the energy to flow where it is most needed.


Massage therapy is yet another popular modality that focuses on manipulating the soft tissues of the body to enhance healing. By kneading, rubbing, and applying pressure to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, massage therapy can improve circulation, reduce pain, and promote relaxation. Various techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and sports massage, may be used depending on the individual's specific needs.


Other healing modalities encompass practices such as aromatherapy, sound therapy, herbal medicine, crystal healing, and many more. These different modalities provide a diverse range of tools and approaches to address various aspects of healing.


Some healers may integrate multiple modalities into their practice, tailoring sessions to meet the unique needs of each individual.


Ultimately, the choice of healing modality is a deeply personal one, and individuals may resonate more with certain approaches over others. It is essential to find a healer and modality that aligns with one's beliefs, intentions, and desired outcomes.


A skilled and compassionate healer will work collaboratively with their clients, creating a safe and nurturing space for healing to occur.


Is the Scientific Evidence to Support Alternative Healing Modalities?


While alternative healing modalities often do not have the same level of scientific evidence as conventional medicine, there is growing research and anecdotal evidence to support their effectiveness.


It is important to note that the concept of healing extends beyond the realm of scientific validation and incorporates a more holistic understanding of well-being.


Many alternative healing modalities, such as acupuncture and Reiki, have been studied and shown some interesting results in various areas.


For example, acupuncture has been found to be effective in reducing pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with certain conditions, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and chronic pain.


Reiki has also been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain in individuals undergoing medical treatments.


Additionally, evidence from studies on mindfulness meditation has demonstrated its benefits in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and improving overall well-being.


Similarly, certain herbal medicines have been found to have therapeutic effects, such as relieving symptoms of cold and flu or supporting digestion.


However, it is important to approach the evidence with critical thinking and consider the limitations of research in these areas.


The complexity of alternative healing modalities, which often focus on individualised treatments and emphasise the mind-body-spirit connection, can make it challenging to design rigorous scientific studies that meet the standards of conventional medicine.


Furthermore, many alternative healing modalities have been practiced for centuries, with their effectiveness often passed down through generations. While empirical evidence may be lacking, the anecdotal experiences and testimonials of individuals who have benefited from these modalities cannot be disregarded.


We could consider that there may even be benefits from the "placebo" effect of treatments as belief has been shown to have therapeutic benefits in and of itself.


There are a couple of important issues here.


In this text the word "alternative" has been used deliberately. The advocates of many of these New Age, or Old Age rebranded, approaches see their work as being an alternative to regular medical treatment.


I think there is a danger in this thinking.


The Medical and Psychological Science embrace a formal approach which is well accepted and proven. That does not mean that science allows get's it right, but it does mean that progress is made through a careful analysis of what does and does not work.


Those who promote alternative approaches are often disillusioned with orthodox forms of healing. They can pin-point the instances where accepted practices haven't worked and where theirs has.


The challenge is, of course, that often they cannot isolate what exactly in their approach has worked. Nor can they prove that the client did not simply "get better" as part of the normal recovery process.


And, herein lies the point.


Healing is not about cure!


It is about supporting someone on their journey and not seeking to cotrol it by claiming the efficacy of any singular approach.


The word "complementary" is a much more inclusive term to use when it comes to non-orthodox practices. A therapist works with the client in a truly holistic way; blending their approach with the more formal medical treatments.


Remember, medical professionals are also 'healers' and so the term is not to be used in a egotistical way.


Alan /|\







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