Looking into remote healing?

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many to stay home, a lot of “normal” life went online. From work to fitness to social life, much of the world now relies on online platforms to stay connected. 

It’s no surprise that there’s been a rise in virtual well-being services, too. 

While online therapy or counseling is nothing new, more alternative practices have also made their offerings video-friendly. Take, for example, remote energy healing, something I had the opportunity to try earlier this year. 

I’m a big fan of alternative medicine and have had a lot of success with this type of healing in the past. But that was in person. 

I was certainly skeptical about how much it could really do through a screen. However, I was pleasantly surprised. 

Read on to find out more about my experience, how remote energy healing works, and what you need to know before giving it a try. 

What is energy healing?

The term energy medicineTrusted Source was coined in the 1980s to describe a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It’s also known as:

• energy healing

• subtle energy healing

• mind-body medicine

• vibrational medicine

It’s based on the belief that the body is permeated by an energy field that can affect our health and well-being, also called subtle energy, vibrational energy, or simply life force.

Known as qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine or prana in Ayurveda, it’s believed that we can work with this energy to find balance and healing. 

According to most CAM philosophies, both physical and mental health conditions can come about when this energy is stuck or not flowing properly.

Energy healing practices can involve physically touching the body or working non-physically with the body’s energy. 

The latter type of practice can, in theory, be done remotely. 

Types of energy healing

Several modalities may include energy healing, including:

• Reiki

• acupuncture

• touch therapy

• EFT tapping

• somatic experiencing

• polarity balancing

• chakra balancing

• crystal healing

• aura cleansing

• shamanic healing

For example, Reiki, chakra healing, and aura cleansing are three types of practices that can be done remotely, while acupuncture, which uses needles to stimulate energy flow in the body, can’t.

Reiki

Reiki is an increasingly well-known type of energy healing. 

The Japanese technique was created in the early 20th century and involves a practitioner placing their hands near the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. 

Chakra healing

Chakra healing is an ancient Indian healing modality. It’s believed that we have seven main chakras, or energy centers, in the body, as well as potentially hundreds of lesser-known chakras. 

When the chakras are all in balance, the theory goes, we feel optimum health and well-being.

In a chakra healing session, a practitioner may use a mix of different techniques, like crystals and breathing, to realign the chakras and heal the body and mind. 

Aura cleansing

Aura cleansing is also believed to be rooted in ancient Indian medicine. The aura is said to be the energy that surrounds the body, creating an external “field.” Different people may have different colors showing up in their auras at any given time. 

In an aura cleansing session, a practitioner uses items to cleanse the aura, including:

• meditation

• breathing

• sound

• crystals

Does it really work?

Many forms of alternative healing, especially those based on working with energy, are difficult to proveTrusted Source with scientific evidence. 

However, some research has shown interesting results. 

A 2014 review of randomized trialsTrusted Source suggested that Reiki therapy may help reduce pain and anxiety, though more research is needed. 

According to results from a recent study, in which participants had six 30-minute sessions over a period of 2 to 8 weeks, people who had Reiki felt greater mood benefits compared with people who didn’t have the treatment. 

A 2013 reviewTrusted Source noted that research into energy therapies, like healing touch, therapeutic touch, and Reiki “continues to demonstrate efficacy for symptoms commonly associated with cancer,” including:

• pain

• anxiety

• quality of life

• health function

Although there’s less research when it comes to remote energy healing, some shows promise. 

A pilot 2015 studyTrusted Source found that people being treated for cancer who received 30-minute sessions of distant Reiki for 5 days, in addition to regular medical care, had lower levels of pain, anxiety, and fatigue.

What to expect from your session

While energy healing typically takes place in a physical space, many practitioners are offering services online. This is known as remote healing, distance healing, or distant healing. 

Practitioners run their sessions in exactly the same way, except they’re over video. 

Typically, you’ll lie down at home and set up a video camera on your phone or laptop, so your healer can see and hear you and vice versa.

What energy healing can’t do

Energy healing can be used as a complementary practice alongside other types of therapy and medical treatment. 

There’s no evidence that energy healing can cure specific physical or mental health conditions. 

If you’re experiencing any physical or mental health conditions, be sure to always consult a qualified medical professional.

Our practitioners

The best place to start when looking for a practitioner is with our team at Heal Thyself. Reach out to our circle and find out if you know anyone who has had success with a remote healer.  One benefit of remote healing: You can work with a healer in any part of the world. This means you aren’t limited by geography.