Therapeutic Touch(aka Healing Touch) It can be practiced on adults, children, infants, animals and plants. It's purpose is to promote wellness of body and mind by healing illnesses, promoting clarity of mind, and boosting the spirit. This is done by manipulating 'energy fields' which are believed to surround the body as well as filter through various channels in the body (chakras).

  

~History~ Therapeutic Touch finds its roots as early as the 18th century with Anton Mesmer's theory of magnetic body fluids. The theory of the energy fields is derived from one of Albert Einstein's theories. Variations of therapeutic touch have been practiced throughout the world over the years. For example, "the laying on of hands" is a common practice in Europe and is intended for similar purposes of healing.

~Practice~ There are four main steps involved (none of which involve touching):

1.) Centering - Therapist focuses his/her energy often by reciting a mantra 2.) Assessment - Therapist places his/her hands a few inches above the patient to appraise energy fields in order to determine where negative energy and imbalances lie 3.) Cleansing - Therapist makes a sweeping motion with his/her hands to rid the patient of negative energy and to balance the patient's energy fields 4.) Modulation - Therapist hands hover over patient's body where imbalances have been detected and energy is distributed equally throughout the body by the therapist In the more complex forms of therapeutic touch there is actual touching involved through the incorporation of massage.

For more information consult http://www.religioustolerance.org

~Controversy about TT~ There is much debate currently centered around therapeutic touch. The main reason is that there is no scientific basis or empirical evidence supporting the theory. It is mostly supported by individual testimonials. ~Emily Rosa's Experiment~ This experiment was a elementary school science project conducted by a 4th grade student. She doubted the existence of energy fields surrounding the body and intended to prove these fields did not exist. Emily had actual TT practitioners participate. The practitioners blindly placed their hands palm up and had to guess which hand Emily's hand was hovering over. They were not able to determine this correctly and therefore proved Emily's hypothesis.

For more information consult http://www.eclecticon.net

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Created by: Bridget Collier, Theresa Summa, and Dana Rupp

Date created: 5/2/01

To view other student pages: http://www.marywood.edu/departments/psychology/students/students.htm

Please send questions or comments to Dr. Renjilian at: renjilian@ac.marywood.edu