Unit 8
Therapeutic Touch

Therapeutic touch is “an energy field interaction, between two or more people, aimed at rebalancing or repatterning the energy field to promote relaxation and pain relief and activate self-healing” (Sayre-Adams, 1995, p. 157). Formally developed by Krieger and Kunz in 1972, therapeutic touch is based on a number of ancient healing practices and the philosophy that a universal life force flows through all living systems. A five-step process is used to administer therapeutic touch. The specific system of therapeutic touch is actually a misnomer as it does not involve physical touching of the skin but instead concentrates on massaging the aura. Research has yet to explain the action of therapeutic touch.

Objectives

When you have completed this unit, you should be able to

1. explain briefly the theory behind therapeutic touch.
2. outline the steps involved in therapeutic touch.
3. analyse the research available to demonstrate the effectiveness of therapeutic touch.
4. identify trends and issues related to therapeutic touch.