| Spiritual or psychic healing is believed | | | | suggestion. Yet babies and animals seem |
| to transfer healing energy by the laying | | | | to respond particularly well, and |
| on of hands. Christians say it works | | | | well-conducted experiments have all |
| through God or "the Christ energy" and | | | | shown a definite effect on living |
| spiritualists claim that the spirits of | | | | organisms such as plant and seed growth, |
| physicians heal through them. Some | | | | blood samples, and cancer cells. |
| healers say they are helped by angels. | | | | Experiments have also shown that distant |
| Many describe themselves as channeling | | | | healing, in the form of prayer or |
| "cosmic" or "universal energy," "light," | | | | thought sent to people elsewhere, has |
| or "bioenergy." People may experience | | | | similarly measurable effects. In many |
| this energy as a hot or cool current, | | | | states and also in parts of Germany, it |
| relieving pain, and promoting well-being | | | | is a prisonable offense to practice |
| and relaxation. Some healers touch their | | | | healing using "psychic power," whereas |
| clients, others work only in the energy | | | | in Britain healing is not only legal but |
| field. Some combine healing with | | | | widespread and well organized. Some |
| massage, others use crystals, color, and | | | | British physicians even have healers in |
| sound. | | | | their clinics, and members of the |
| Instant "miracle" cures are rare, but | | | | National Federation of Spiritual Healers |
| most people receive some benefit, from | | | | in Britainhal been allowed to visit |
| the relief of stress, depression, and | | | | patients in 1,500 hospitals sim the |
| pain, to the alleviation of chronic | | | | 1970s. An umbrella organization - the UK |
| conditions. Treatment may include | | | | Confederation of Healing Organizations - |
| examining underlying emotional problems. | | | | includes 14 member organizations and |
| Nowadays healers are encouraged to | | | | about 8,000 healers, covering a variety |
| train in counseling techniques and a few | | | | of spiritual beliefs. They run training |
| are even qualified psychotherapists. For | | | | courses, abide by a code of conduct, and |
| lasting benefit, regular sessions may be | | | | offer healing as a complement to |
| necessary over some weeks or months. | | | | conventional medical healthcare. |
| In spite of American researcher Dr. Dan | | | | When seeking a healer, avoid those who |
| Benor's recent publication of more than | | | | demand a substantial advance financial |
| 155 controlled studies showing that | | | | commitment, or insist that you abandon |
| healing is effective, many physicians | | | | medication or your religious beliefs. |
| and scientists are still skeptical, | | | | Read out for Strength ball training. |
| dismissing any effects as being due to | | | | |