Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine News
Study Of The Effects Of Healing Touch Therapy
Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 02 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT
Often, a gentle hand on your shoulder when you're upset is all it takes to ease your mind and calm your nerves.
Now, UC researchers are looking at a similar occurrence by pairing a complementary therapy known as Healing Touch with mild sedation to see if the technique truly calms patients undergoing minor procedures.
Healing Touch is a series of techniques that balance energy for wholeness within a person's body, mind and soul. It is an energy therapy that can be used in conjunction with other traditional medical treatments.
Nathan Schmulewitz, MD, the lead author of this investigator-initiated study and assistant professor of digestive diseases, says people undergoing procedures often have problems falling asleep because of anxiety.
Schmulewitz specializes in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), a technique for imaging and accessing deep structures in the chest and abdomen which are near the GI tract. EUS is used as a screening tool for cancer or other suspicious polyps.
He says if a patient is unable to fall asleep with intravenous sedation, it might be necessary to use stronger anesthesia which is expensive and not often covered by insurance companies.
"In addition, stronger sedation can prolong recovery for the patient and can cause slight amnesia following the procedure," Schmulewitz says.
This study is looking at whether coupling Healing Touch with mild sedation prior to an EUS procedure can help relax patients, avoiding problems with anesthesia and making the procedure run more smoothly.
Judy Bowers, a nurse at University Hospital, Healing Touch practitioner and co-author of the study, has been doing this therapy for about seven years and has administered it to over 40 patients involved in this study.
"By restoring balance within the energy system, you create an optimal environment for healing," Bowers says. "This is complementary medicine, not alternative medicine, so it can be easily incorporated in a medical model."
Although there are many healing touch therapies, this study is only looking at three: the Chakra Connection, which facilitates movement of energy from one energy center to another, Magnetic Clearing, which clears the field of congested energy, and Mind Clearing, which involves a light touch on the face, head and neck.
As part of the study, a third party calls the patient two days after the procedure to ask a number of questions about how Healing Touch affected the patient during the EUS and recovery.
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The results are being analyzed, but Bowers says she's observed some fairly positive responses.
"Some of the patients are asleep before they even receive the intravenous sedation," she says, noting that she stays with patients throughout the procedure in order to continue sharing her energy with them and maintaining the balance.
Schmulewitz says if the results are positive, this could be an inexpensive, effective way to reduce costs and improve care at University Hospital.
"It will be a fairly easy way to enhance patient care with acceptable and specific means and without increased risk of injury," he says.
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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Source: Katie Pence
University of Cincinnati
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Healing Touch Augments Radiation Therapy
R E S E A R C H
Healing Touch Augments Radiation Therapy
Healing Touch can decrease pain, improve vitality and increase physical functioning in women undergoing radiation for gynecological or breast cancer, according to recent research.
“Healing Touch and Quality of Life in Women Receiving Radiation Treatment for Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial” was conducted by staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and the School of Social Service, St. Louis University, in St. Louis, Missouri.
The study involved 62 women receiving radiation treatment for newly diagnosed gynecological or breast cancer. The women were randomly assigned to receive either Healing Touch or mock treatment, along with standard care, and were blind to their actual group assignment.
Subjects in both groups received a total of six 30-minute sessions; each one took place immediately after radiation treatment. The first session happened no more than one-third of the way through the radiation schedule. The next four sessions happened on a weekly basis, and the last session was given four weeks later.
During the sessions, subjects laid fully clothed on a massage table. A three-by-three-foot opaque screen was placed between the subject’s head and her body so she could not see who was providing the session or what they were doing.
Each Healing Touch session consisted of four phases: healer preparation, such as centering; pretreatment energetic assessment; Healing Touch intervention; and post-treatment energetic assessment.
The mock treatments were provided by laypeople with no training in or knowledge of Healing Touch. These people were instructed to walk around the table and stand at the end of it, keep their hands by their sides, and not focus any thoughts on the subject, but to think of simple math problems.
The study’s primary outcome measure was health-related quality of life, which was assessed before and after the study using the SF-36, a 36-item questionnaire from the Medical Outcomes Study at the Rand Corporation. The SF-36 measures nine health-related areas, such as bodily pain, general mental health, vitality, and limitations in social activities due to physical or emotional problems. Scores range from zero to 100, and higher scores are associated with better functioning.
The overall average score for all subjects at baseline was 53. After intervention, the Healing Touch group had an overall average score of 63.3, whereas the mock-treatment group had an overall average score of 54.3.
The Healing Touch group scored higher than the mock-treatment group in all nine areas of the health-related quality-of-life assessment. Subjects in the Healing Touch group showed statistically significant improvements in pain, vitality and physical functioning.
“Subjects who received Healing Touch demonstrated better [health-related quality of life] following radiation treatment than their counterparts who received mock treatment,” state the study’s authors. “The significant effects of [Healing Touch] on vitality, pain and physical functioning in this study lend support to the potential value of [Healing Touch] in improving the health-related quality of life of women with gynecological or breast cancer who undergo radiation therapy.”
- Source: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, and the School of Social Service, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Authors: Cynthia A. Loveland Cook, Ph.D., R.N.; Joanne F. Guerrerio, R.N.; and Victoria E. Slater, Ph.D., R.N. Originally published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2004, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 34-40.
Healing Touch Augments Radiation Therapy
Healing Touch can decrease pain, improve vitality and increase physical functioning in women undergoing radiation for gynecological or breast cancer, according to recent research.
“Healing Touch and Quality of Life in Women Receiving Radiation Treatment for Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial” was conducted by staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and the School of Social Service, St. Louis University, in St. Louis, Missouri.
The study involved 62 women receiving radiation treatment for newly diagnosed gynecological or breast cancer. The women were randomly assigned to receive either Healing Touch or mock treatment, along with standard care, and were blind to their actual group assignment.
Subjects in both groups received a total of six 30-minute sessions; each one took place immediately after radiation treatment. The first session happened no more than one-third of the way through the radiation schedule. The next four sessions happened on a weekly basis, and the last session was given four weeks later.
During the sessions, subjects laid fully clothed on a massage table. A three-by-three-foot opaque screen was placed between the subject’s head and her body so she could not see who was providing the session or what they were doing.
Each Healing Touch session consisted of four phases: healer preparation, such as centering; pretreatment energetic assessment; Healing Touch intervention; and post-treatment energetic assessment.
The mock treatments were provided by laypeople with no training in or knowledge of Healing Touch. These people were instructed to walk around the table and stand at the end of it, keep their hands by their sides, and not focus any thoughts on the subject, but to think of simple math problems.
The study’s primary outcome measure was health-related quality of life, which was assessed before and after the study using the SF-36, a 36-item questionnaire from the Medical Outcomes Study at the Rand Corporation. The SF-36 measures nine health-related areas, such as bodily pain, general mental health, vitality, and limitations in social activities due to physical or emotional problems. Scores range from zero to 100, and higher scores are associated with better functioning.
The overall average score for all subjects at baseline was 53. After intervention, the Healing Touch group had an overall average score of 63.3, whereas the mock-treatment group had an overall average score of 54.3.
The Healing Touch group scored higher than the mock-treatment group in all nine areas of the health-related quality-of-life assessment. Subjects in the Healing Touch group showed statistically significant improvements in pain, vitality and physical functioning.
“Subjects who received Healing Touch demonstrated better [health-related quality of life] following radiation treatment than their counterparts who received mock treatment,” state the study’s authors. “The significant effects of [Healing Touch] on vitality, pain and physical functioning in this study lend support to the potential value of [Healing Touch] in improving the health-related quality of life of women with gynecological or breast cancer who undergo radiation therapy.”
- Source: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, and the School of Social Service, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Authors: Cynthia A. Loveland Cook, Ph.D., R.N.; Joanne F. Guerrerio, R.N.; and Victoria E. Slater, Ph.D., R.N. Originally published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2004, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 34-40.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Young Living Essential Oils
Contact Information
Brandi Rainey, Director of Marketing Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Essential Oils Enhance Integrated Medical Efforts
Lehi, Utah—As the general population turns to alternative health care, holistic practices such as yoga, tai chi, meditation, and massage therapy are becoming increasingly popular. An ideal way to support and maximize the benefits of such practices is by using Young Living's therapeutic-grade essential oils. Known for their stress relieving, muscle soothing, and mind clarifying qualities, Young Living essential oils can add balance and harmony to any daily routine.
A year ago, Gillian Keiper founded the Concentric Healing Institute, also known as CHI, in Boulder, Colorado. As a private occupational school, all programs must be approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education's Division of Private Occupational Schools. Here, massage therapy, qigong, esthetics, aromatherapy, and reiki are practiced using Young Living's essential oils. According to Keiper, “I find that when you add oils, it enhances all the treatments we have in the school.”
As a licensed esthetician, reflexology, and reiki master, Keiper leaves oils sitting out for students to use freely so they can better understand the effects of the oils. In massage therapy, whether it's a Japanese foot massage, deep circulatory massage, or hot stone treatment, essential oils are incorporated into the practice. Stones, for example, are soaked in hot water infused with oils. Clients who come in are asked about how they are feeling that particular day. Based on their response, the appropriate oils are selected for use in therapy. “The Swedish massage is wonderful, but when we give them Peace & Calming® oil blend, it just enhances the treatment,” says Keiper.
Even esthetics facials are infused with essential oils. A typical treatment begins with towels soaked in peppermint oil that are placed on the feet as part of a cleansing ritual. Energy work, or reiki, follows. Using Young Living's oil-enhanced skincare products, the face is cleansed and then steamed using a fragrant oil such as lavender, which is saturated with various soothing properties. A gentle facial massage is performed and then a mask is applied. When the mask is removed, a towel soaked in essential oils is placed on the face. Young Living's Essential Beauty Serums are combined with a vitamin oil and applied to the skin. Clients are then given a light treatment. Red light is good for stimulating collagen while blue light is ideal for acne-prone skin. Qigong, a traditional form of Chinese medicine, utilizes various breathing patterns and physical postures to promote general health maintenance. Meditation is part of this process and includes the incorporation of essential oils to increase focus and foster relaxation. An aromatherapy program to be launched in July headed by Chalyce Saunders will utilize Young Living's essential oils in daily instruction.
“In our classes, we use the Everyday Oils pack right now. In addition to that, we use wintergreen, lemongrass, and Believe oils. I've had really good success with those who have muscle trauma,” says Saunders. Holistic practices such as aromatherapy and massage therapy are becoming popular for several reasons. According to Saunders, “The benefits are way better than the alternatives we have now. You can use them on your children, on your animals; you can use them internally without having to worry about the side effects. It's a form of alternative care.” Keiper adds, “You don't just treat the symptom, you treat the whole body in holistic fashion. That's what we do.” Currently, free classes are being offered at CHI about how to use the oils and the benefits the oils produce. As Saunders points out, “People are starting to realize that people are not getting the results they need and want. With the essentials oils they are.”
Brandi Rainey, Director of Marketing Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Essential Oils Enhance Integrated Medical Efforts
Lehi, Utah—As the general population turns to alternative health care, holistic practices such as yoga, tai chi, meditation, and massage therapy are becoming increasingly popular. An ideal way to support and maximize the benefits of such practices is by using Young Living's therapeutic-grade essential oils. Known for their stress relieving, muscle soothing, and mind clarifying qualities, Young Living essential oils can add balance and harmony to any daily routine.
A year ago, Gillian Keiper founded the Concentric Healing Institute, also known as CHI, in Boulder, Colorado. As a private occupational school, all programs must be approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education's Division of Private Occupational Schools. Here, massage therapy, qigong, esthetics, aromatherapy, and reiki are practiced using Young Living's essential oils. According to Keiper, “I find that when you add oils, it enhances all the treatments we have in the school.”
As a licensed esthetician, reflexology, and reiki master, Keiper leaves oils sitting out for students to use freely so they can better understand the effects of the oils. In massage therapy, whether it's a Japanese foot massage, deep circulatory massage, or hot stone treatment, essential oils are incorporated into the practice. Stones, for example, are soaked in hot water infused with oils. Clients who come in are asked about how they are feeling that particular day. Based on their response, the appropriate oils are selected for use in therapy. “The Swedish massage is wonderful, but when we give them Peace & Calming® oil blend, it just enhances the treatment,” says Keiper.
Even esthetics facials are infused with essential oils. A typical treatment begins with towels soaked in peppermint oil that are placed on the feet as part of a cleansing ritual. Energy work, or reiki, follows. Using Young Living's oil-enhanced skincare products, the face is cleansed and then steamed using a fragrant oil such as lavender, which is saturated with various soothing properties. A gentle facial massage is performed and then a mask is applied. When the mask is removed, a towel soaked in essential oils is placed on the face. Young Living's Essential Beauty Serums are combined with a vitamin oil and applied to the skin. Clients are then given a light treatment. Red light is good for stimulating collagen while blue light is ideal for acne-prone skin. Qigong, a traditional form of Chinese medicine, utilizes various breathing patterns and physical postures to promote general health maintenance. Meditation is part of this process and includes the incorporation of essential oils to increase focus and foster relaxation. An aromatherapy program to be launched in July headed by Chalyce Saunders will utilize Young Living's essential oils in daily instruction.
“In our classes, we use the Everyday Oils pack right now. In addition to that, we use wintergreen, lemongrass, and Believe oils. I've had really good success with those who have muscle trauma,” says Saunders. Holistic practices such as aromatherapy and massage therapy are becoming popular for several reasons. According to Saunders, “The benefits are way better than the alternatives we have now. You can use them on your children, on your animals; you can use them internally without having to worry about the side effects. It's a form of alternative care.” Keiper adds, “You don't just treat the symptom, you treat the whole body in holistic fashion. That's what we do.” Currently, free classes are being offered at CHI about how to use the oils and the benefits the oils produce. As Saunders points out, “People are starting to realize that people are not getting the results they need and want. With the essentials oils they are.”
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