Healing Touch
Treatment Overview

Like other complementary medicine therapies, healing touch starts with the idea that people are naturally healthy. The way people live and think may disturb their natural energy, and they may become ill. The aim of healing touch is to focus (or channel) healing energy to restore natural health.
Practitioners of healing touch believe they can use their hands to change a person's energy flow and restore health. During a session, the practitioner moves his or her hands several inches above the person's body, often making sweeping hand motions. The practitioner also may place his or her hands lightly on specific parts of the person's body.
How Well It Works
Some research studies have shown that, like yoga and meditation, healing touch reduces anxiety and stress.
Research studies have been done on the effects of healing touch, but there are not consistent results. The practice is difficult to study using scientific methods.
Current as of: September 8, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen M. Fairfield MD, MPH, DrPH - Internal Medicine