The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to stay home and moved much of their “normal” lives online. From work to fitness to social life, many people around the world now rely on online platforms to stay connected.
No wonder virtual welfare services are on the rise.
While online therapy and counseling are nothing new, alternative medicine offerings are also becoming video-enabled. For example, consider distance energy healing, which I had the opportunity to try earlier this year.
I’m a big fan of alternative medicine and have had a lot of success with this type of treatment in the past. But it was personal.
Admittedly, I was skeptical about how much I could actually do through the screen. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
Read on to learn more about my experience, how distant energy healing works, and what you need to know before trying it.
term
- energy healing
- subtle energy healing
- mind-body medicine
- vibration medicine
It is based on the idea that our bodies are permeated by energy fields that can influence our health and well-being. This energy field is also called subtle energy, vibrational energy, or simply life force.
Known as qi in traditional Chinese medicine and prana in Ayurveda, it is believed that we can use this energy to find balance and healing.
According to most CAM philosophies, physical and mental health conditions can occur when this energy becomes stagnant or no longer flows properly.
The goal of energy healing is to restore energy balance to support physical, mental, and emotional health.
Energy healing practices include physical contact with the body and non-physical manipulation of the body’s energy.
The latter type of practice could theoretically be done remotely.
Energy healing may be included in some therapies, such as:
Some of these practices are supported by scientific evidence, while others are not. Moreover, only some can be done remotely.
For example, Reiki, chakra healing, and aura cleansing are three types of treatments that can be performed remotely, but acupuncture, which uses needles to stimulate the flow of energy within the body, cannot be performed remotely.
Reiki
Reiki is becoming increasingly well known as a type of energy healing.
This Japanese technique was created in the early 20th century and involves practitioners placing their hands close to the body to stimulate the flow of energy and promote healing.
chakra healing
Chakra healing is an ancient Indian healing method. There are thought to be seven major chakras, or energy centers, within our bodies, but there are also potentially hundreds of lesser-known chakras.
The theory is that when all chakras are balanced, we experience optimal health and well-being.
In a chakra healing session, practitioners use a combination of different techniques, including crystals and breathing, to realign your chakras and heal your body and mind.
aura cleansing
Aura cleansing is also believed to have its roots in ancient Indian medicine. The aura is said to be the energy that surrounds the body and creates an external “field”. Different people may have different colors in their aura at different times.
During an aura cleansing session, practitioners use items such as:
- meditation
- breathing
- sound
- crystal
Many forms of alternative healing, especially those based on working with energy,
However, some studies have shown interesting results.
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Results from a 2011 study in which participants received six 30-minute sessions over two to eight weeks found that those who received Reiki experienced greater improvements in mood than those who did not.
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- pain
- anxiety
- Quality of life
- health function
Although there isn’t much research on distance energy healing, there is some promising research.
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Energy healing typically takes place in a physical space, but many practitioners offer their services online. This is known as distant healing, distant healing, or distant healing.
Practitioners run sessions in exactly the same way, except using video.
Usually you lie down at home and set up a video camera on your phone or laptop. That way the healer can see and hear you and vice versa.
Most energy healers believe that energy can be transported across time and space. In other words, energy healing is possible even if you are geographically separated.
I tried a distance healing session with a Reiki trained practitioner.
My session took place on Zoom and lasted approximately 40 minutes. It started with a brief introduction from a practitioner about what energy healing is and how the sessions work.
We then talked about my feelings and expectations for the session. At that moment, I was feeling a little overwhelmed and stressed by the amount of work I had on hand.
In the midst of the pandemic, I too was struggling with life’s constant uncertainty and “what ifs.”
We started with a few minutes of breathing exercises together to help me feel calm, relaxed, and ready to receive healing.
After that, I put on an eye mask and covered myself with a blanket and lay down on the bed. I placed my laptop facing me so the practitioner could see me through the camera.
As healing began, the only sound I could hear was her breathing. Her deep breathing continued throughout the session.
Immediately after lying down, I began to relax deeply. When the healer took a deep breath and exhaled, it was as if the sound was traveling through me, and the sound relaxed me.
It was similar to experiencing a sound bath or massage. At one point, a part of my body felt like it was tingling.
As the session drew to a close and the healer’s voice led me back to the room, it was like waking up from a restorative nap. I felt a sense of calm and peace and my mind felt much clearer.
It was as if someone had created additional space in my brain.
After the session, I had time to just sit and do nothing. I didn’t want to rush back to normal daily life.
Energy healing can be used as a complementary practice alongside other types of therapy and medicine.
There is no evidence that energy healing can treat specific physical or mental health conditions.
Always consult a qualified health professional if you have any physical or mental health conditions.
If possible, having a team of experts from a variety of fields and specialties “in your corner” is the best way to support your overall health and well-being.
When looking for a practitioner, it’s best to start by getting a personal recommendation. Reach out to your circle and see if you know anyone who has had success with distance healers.
You can ask questions:
- Medical team including doctors, naturopaths and therapists
- yoga or fitness instructor
- friends, family, and loved ones
- members of your spiritual or religious community
- Local CAM clinics such as acupuncturists and masseuses
You can also use online platforms such as the Energy Medicine Directory. It is important to note that such directories are usually unregulated and practitioners can list themselves.
One of the benefits of distance healing is that you can work with a healer anywhere in the world. This means there are no geographical restrictions.
After completing my distant energy healing session, I felt deep relaxation and mental clarity. I would definitely do it again if I felt tired or stressed.
Although scientific evidence is limited, some research suggests that distance energy healing may have health benefits.
Although it should never replace medical care, energy healing is a good option to have in your self-care toolbox.
Elizabeth Bennett is a British journalist covering beauty, health and wellness. Her work has appeared in ELLE, Refinery 29, Marie Claire, and Women’s Health.you can find her Facebook, pinterest, twitterand linkedin.
