“There is more to us than our bodies”: What is energy healing and does it work? – National

Toronto resident Aerin Vogel grew up in a household that used a combination of modern medicine and alternative therapies.

“I have a lot of [alternative healing] “I’ve tried a variety of different treatments since I was a little girl,” she told Global News. “In my late teens and early twenties, allopathic treatments weren’t answering my questions, so I started finding treatments for myself.”

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Vogel, 30, said she turned to the healing arts for help when, as a young woman, she was diagnosed with a disease “that is still largely a mystery to the medical community” and went through a series of traumatic experiences.

These health experiences, she said, made her realize that humans are complex beings and that healing requires a holistic approach.

“I needed some kind of therapy for what I was going through,” she says.[Alternative healing] Chronic illness and trauma could be addressed on an incredibly effective and transformative level, whereas in my situation, allopathic treatments offered very little.”

Today, Vogel works in alternative therapies, practicing Reiki, astrology and hands-on energy healing.

What is Energy Healing?

“concept [of energy healing] “Our bodies are made up of energy pathways,” says Dr. A physician’s guide to alternative medicine: what works, what doesn’t, and why.

“It’s the belief that there’s more to us than our physical bodies; that we have a spiritual side, that we have energies beyond the physical; and that by using our hands, as in therapeutic touch or Reiki, we can manipulate the energy that radiates from the body.”

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Energy healing has been common in cultures for centuries, according to Bollins. For example, traditional Chinese medicine believes that energy flows through meridians in the body and that accessing this energy can cure illnesses.

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While many North American doctors may not recommend energy healing as a solution to health problems, alternative therapies remain popular in Canada: More than 70% of Canadians regularly use “complementary and alternative medicine therapies” such as Reiki, acupuncture, yoga, reflexology and chiropractic care, according to government data.

Additionally, recent reports suggest that Canadians are becoming increasingly interested in alternative therapies. Massage and chiropractic are the most popular therapies, but energy healing has also seen an increase since 1997, according to the survey.

Why People Turn to Energy Healing

Some people, like Vogel, grew up with alternative therapies and have continued their interest into adulthood, while others see naturopathic medicine as a complementary practice to modern medical interventions.

Alternative therapies are also what people turn to when they have problems that doctors can’t solve.

“People are always interested in natural remedies,” says Borins, “and people are concerned about the side effects of modern medicines and modern treatments… especially if they have conditions that modern medicine doesn’t improve.”

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Vogel agrees. She sees mostly female patients, many of whom seek “energy work” in addition to or instead of medication, she said. Common issues they face include loneliness, depression, anxiety, chronic illness and pain.

Dr. Eric Cadesky, a Vancouver-based family physician and president of the BC Medical Association, acknowledges that aspects of life, be they personal or financial, can impact physical health.

“There are many situations where people’s symptoms are unusual and they may be caused by something that can’t be identified,” he told Global News.

“we, [people] Mental and physical health presents physiological, psychological and emotional challenges, and while there is no one test that will answer all of the questions, it is important for doctors to work with patients to address all aspects of their health, including mind, body, spirit, community and social determinants.”

Does energy healing work?

So is there evidence to prove the effectiveness of alternative therapies? When it comes to energy therapies, there is very little scientific data to back them up.

“Research has shown that the beneficial effects come not from the practice itself, but rather from the relationships and time spent together,” Cadesky explained. “I think people are searching for meaning in life, and that’s why things that seem mystical, magical and ancient offer hope to people searching for that meaning.”

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Nevertheless, Kadesky teeth There’s evidence to suggest that spending time with others can have a positive impact on mental, emotional and physical health, and this is especially true in group therapy settings, he said.

“In group therapy, people benefit not from mystical healing, but rather from the power of human connection and connection with others,” he said. “We’ve known for thousands of years that having connection, having a sense of belonging to a community, and having ongoing relationships is good for the body, mind and soul.”

There’s also evidence that other natural therapies, such as mindfulness and acupuncture, may help, says Bollins: Mindfulness has been studied to help treat depression, and acupuncture may help with things like neck pain and headaches.

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“But when it comes to things like therapeutic touch and Reiki, there are some studies, but the studies are pretty poor in our opinion as physicians, meaning they’re not done properly, there aren’t enough participants in the studies, and they’re not double-blind. [studies]” said Borins.

“So there’s some research that suggests it may be useful, but the research isn’t of a high enough quality for doctors to accept it.”

If you ignore medical advice

Supplementing medical care with natural therapies such as energy healing is one thing, going off medication completely is another. Some people have died after rejecting modern medicine and choosing natural therapies instead.

Borins said it’s important for people to know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to treating health issues, as risking their health can have serious consequences.

“We want to warn people that just because something is natural and has no side effects, it doesn’t mean it’s completely harmless,” he said.

“We want people to be cautious, especially when it comes to seeking alternative therapies that don’t have scientific evidence.”

LauraHensley@globalnews.ca