What is Therapeutic Touch? In Therapeutic Touch, therapists
place their hands on or near their patient's body with the
intention to help or heal. In doing so, therapists believe that
they are consciously directing or modulating an individual's
energies by interacting with his or her energy field. The focus
is on balancing the energies of the total person and stimulating
the body's own natural healing ability rather than on the
treatment of specific physical diseases. Therapeutic Touch is
based on the following assumptions: - The human being is an open
energy system composed of layers of energy that are in constant
interaction with self, others, and the environment. - Illness is
an imbalance in an individual's energy field. - Clearing or
balancing the energy field promotes health. - All humans have
natural abilities to heal and enhance the healing in others.
Therapeutic Touch is a contemporary interpretation of several
ancient laying-on-of-hands healing practices. Delores Krieger,
PhD, RN, professor emeritus o