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