What Is Energy Healing?

Energy healing is one of the five main domains of complementary and alternative medicine. These practices are defined as healing and wellness practices that go outside the realm of present day scientific based medicine. Some of these practices work in conjunction with traditional medicine and others stand alone. Energy therapy is broken down into a variety of categories. Some may include:

• Energy (esotericism)
• Chromo therapy
• Electromagnetic therapy
• Polarity therapy
• Reiki
• Therapeutic touch

The philosophies, approaches, and origins vary from each one. Many of these therapies are considered predictable; which means that their outcome is explained, on some level, by science. Energy is then considered putative. Some of the spiritual energies can also be explained away. For example, someone’s aura may be due to electromagnetism. These energies are considered veritable. Veritable energy medicine may include such therapy as:

• Electromagnetic therapy – This includes magnetic therapy and light therapy. However radiation therapy that is used in traditional medicine does not fall into this category

Putative energy medicine may include therapies like:

• Acupuncture
• Qigong – Others that involve the notion of Qi are included under this category, such as Reiki
• Homeopathy
• Therapeutic Touch

A Further Look Into Putative Energy Therapies

There are many forms of energy healing but one that seeks further attention is those therapies that fall into the category of Qigong; this form of energy healing deals with the body’s energy. The body has a healing energy deep within itself. Certain therapies help harness that energy and spread it throughout the mind and body to help heal it. These forms are done using touch or extreme focus on such energies.

The therapies of Qigong accumulate, circulate, and work with Qi (pronounced chi). Qi is the energy within the body. Sometimes Qi is only associated with deep breathing, but there is more to it. The higher levels or the more evolved forms of Qi are used to focus on particular energy centers in and around the body.

The qi part of qigong means breath in Chinese and can even be extended to mean life force. Gong means work applied to a discipline. This term was coined in the twentieth-century with the desire to separate cultivation from superstition. Also, to preserve the valuable aspects of traditional Chinese practices.

Qigong is practiced for a variety of reasons and it usually depends upon the individual’s needs. It is practiced to maintain health, therapeutic intervention of disease or ailment, a spiritual path, or as a component of Chinese martial arts. Some may call upon the qi for different reasons when in different positions in life. You may start using this power during the routine practice of martial arts, but then need to use it for the power of healing.

Reiki Healing

The power of Reiki is also known as the Usui system of healing. This is a Japanese based therapy that was developed in the 1920’s by a Buddhist Monk, named Usui. It uses the basis of qi in its therapies to harness the positive energy of the practitioner and pass it on to the client so their body can harness their own power of self-healing. The word Reiki comes from the Japanese words “Rei” (spiritual) and “ki” (energy). The word translates to mean “spiritual life force.”

Reiki or Usui utilizes specific techniques to restore and balance the natural energy source within the body. This is a hand on holistic treatment that truly touches on all levels:

• Body
• Mind
• Spirit

Skeptical

There are certain forces that are present around us. Some people have trouble grasping things that they can not put their hands on. Energy therapies come under much attack and the efficiency is questioned quite often. Some people say that these so-called forms of therapy are all explained away with science and that they do not have healing properties themselves but the healing of such believers comes from elsewhere. Historically, electricity and magnetism were the borderlines of medical breakthroughs but unfortunately some of the patients did not live through the therapies to testify to their validity. Nevertheless, energy healing has many supporters and many success stories which proves its effectiveness, and it is a practice worth learning more about.

What Does Massage Mean?

The word massage is one with a varied reputation. It has both a popular meaning and a professional one. It is disreputable in some circles, respected in others. Massage can be a generic word or a specific one. It can be a derogatory term or a term implying relief and beneficial aspects. It is sexual and medical. It is a verb and a noun. Like so many other words in the English language, massage is subject to its context.

A dictionary usually defines massage as a mechanical or manual manipulation of various parts of the body, as by rubbing, kneading, slapping or similar actions to promote circulation and muscle relaxation. This applies to both popular and therapeutic massage. The problem is the word massage can be used instead of the term – massage therapy. The separation between the two arrives from the level of professionalism. It is also derives from the overall intent and degree of training.

Popular massage is part of an underground business. Massage is also employed by consenting partners to relax tension after work or working-out. Massage is a regular part of bedrooms across North American and Europe. It is both a tool of sexual gratification and a form of foreplay. It is all about context.

Body rub parlors and therapeutic massage businesses both utilize massage. The intent is for patrons to relax. In both instances, the masseuse carries on from relaxation to another plain. This other level differs radically. Massage in body rub parlors is usually some form of stimulation or sexual gratification. It is not strictly medical and can only be considered therapy in the loosest sense of the word. In this world of massage, there is really no place for no-hands massage. This is not a world of energy work or mind-spirit alignment.

Training is another defining factor. The training for a body rub parlor is infinitely lower than that required for massage therapy. A message therapist or practitioner requires textbook knowledge and studies theory and anatomy. He or she undertakes hours of skilled training, frequently under a licensed or professional massage therapist. This is true whether they set up their own practice or work at a spa.

A person who undertakes massage of his or her partner at home is often somewhere in between the levels of skill of either “professional.” Proper massage requires some skill. Instinct may be helpful, but many rely on books or take courses. This helps them with sensual massage, practical massage and therapeutic massage techniques. Community colleges and local groups often offer such courses. You can find instruction on reflexology, aromatherapy, sensual massage and other related massage types. However, the average person does not intend to expand further in this field. He or she usually uses it for his or her own means and not as part of a future business venture.

Massage Therapy is a profession. The overall goal is a complete sense of well-being. While some practitioners might have the intent to make a living at massage therapy, this is probably less the major focus than it is for the body parlor masseuse. The focus of the practitioner is to use massage like the body parlor worker and the average partner, to initially, achieve relaxation. Yet, the professional massage therapist does so with the intent of achieving improvement of the body and/or mind.

Massage therapy is all about intent. It uses the word and the actions of massage to indicate its medical purpose. Therapeutic massage is stress releasing. The benefits include both the physical and the psychological. Therapeutic massage abets healing after abdominal surgery. It speeds up recovery time and helps with waste elimination. Massage therapy helps alleviate chronic pain and reduce muscle soreness. Unlike the common form of massage, therapeutic massage is applied to both pregnant mothers and their babies. It is especially good for premature infants. Furthermore, massage therapy is helpful in the treatment of many large and small animal conditions. Dogs, cats and horses benefit from massage. Equine Therapeutic Massage and Sports Massage are two burgeoning fields of therapeutic massage.

All types of massage have their place in society. At home, in a body rub parlor, as part of a spa treatment or in a professional setting, massage can be beneficial. Whatever type of massage you want, whether it is sexual or part of massage therapy, be sure you know what you want and where to go before hand. Be informed. Check the listings and the credentials. Know what services you are signing on for before you sign. This will make the event truly worthwhile.

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