Common Effects

Numerous dissertations and masters’ theses have been done on Therapeutic Touch. In 1994, Therapeutic Touch was one of the recipients of research grants awarded to alternative therapies by the National Institute of Health (US). Research and experience have shown its effectiveness in:

•  eliciting a “relaxation response” and reducing anxiety;
•  changing a person’s perception of pain;
•  facilitating the body’s natural restorative processes.

Any condition which will be helped by these effects will benefit from Therapeutic Touch.

Therapeutic Touch is always individualized and usually does not exceed 20 minutes. Newborns, the elderly/debilitated, the very ill, pregnant women and psychiatric disorders are more sensitive to the interaction.

Assumptions

Several assumptions underlie Therapeutic Touch.

In the state of health “life energy” flows freely in, through and out of the organism in a balanced manner.

In disease or injury the flow of energy is obstructed, disordered or depleted. (Macrae)

Therapeutic Touch practitioners attempt to influence this energy imbalance, to restore the integrity of the field towards wholeness and health.

Testimonial

When I decided to book an appointment for a Therapeutic Touch treatment, I hoped to rid myself of pain and to regain my lost energy. Although the treatment did not immediately eliminate the pain I had been experiencing in my throat for quite some time, I believe the treatment put me on the path to healing. A sense of calm overcame me, and I felt better equipped to deal with the anxiety and the stress that I experienced when the pain recurred. With time, and almost like magic, the swelling and the pain disappeared. I cannot say without a doubt that my one and only treatment was solely responsible for my improved physical well-being. However, I remain convinced that the Therapeutic Touch treatment was probably instrumental in bringing about this improved state of physical well-being.

Denise