Healing has been practised around the world for thousands of years and is linked to both eastern and western traditions. In our western context, healing is usually delivered by a light touch on the body (fully clothed), or by placing hands just above the body. Healing can also be offered by distant healing, where the healer and the client are in different locations.
Many healers work with what they call a “vital force” or “spiritus vitae”, the life force energy often described as Love or Light – in effect, it is using the breath to guide them to a place of stillness and deep compassion with a clear intention by the healer/practitioner to help or facilitate healing in their client. The aim of the healer or practitioner is therefore to bring about balance in a person’s “energy” field and to allow their client’s own healing abilities to work harmoniously. It can be used to promote peace, health, acceptance (of themselves or a situation) and ultimately, a sense of well-being. It is widely acknowledged that moments of deep insight can also occur when a person is in a place of deep rest as experienced during such healing treatments.
Healing is not offered as a replacement for conventional treatments, but to work alongside them. By restoring balance, it is thought that personal vitality is increased which supports the body’s natural ability to heal. Benefits reported include improvements in physical wellbeing and emotions, relief from pain or stress, and lifting of depression and anxiety.
Practitioners recommend healing to promote living a fuller, more balanced life, and particularly to help during traumatic periods or times of high anxiety and stress.
Healing is non-denominational, respectful of all religious traditions and does not expect the recipient to have faith or to be religious. There are no known side effects as healing is considered safe and non-invasive; it is offered by organisations such as Cancer Support Groups, and is increasingly available in NHS settings such as hospitals and hospices.