Touch has been used for healing since ancient times. It is a natural form of healing. How many parents have used touch when a child is injured or ill? How many times have we connected with someone simply by holding hands? Its origins are not new but its understanding through scientific studies and research are teaching us what might be possible through this ancient art. Observation of and feedback from clients as well as practitioners of this work are showing us what is possible.

Many forms of healing through the use of touch are available to the general public. After studying some of these modalities, I was drawn to Healing Touch (HT). As a nurse, I was very impressed with its standards of practice, code of ethics and the challenging certification process required of participants who choose to be certified after completing the program.

The program was founded by Janet Mentgen, a nurse and educator, in the early 1980s. Her aim was to share her energy healing practices with the nursing community. Her business, Colorado Center of HT (CCHT), now know as HT Program, (HTP) was developed. A certified program of HT was offered through the American Holistic Nurses' Association in 1990. As it grew beyond national boundaries, Healing Touch International, Inc. (HTI) was formed as a educational corporation meeting membership needs, administering the HT certification process for both practitioners and instructors as well as establishing standards of practice and a code of ethics. Membership and certification are open to everyone who successfully completes the requirements. Although it remains a nursing continuing education program, practitioners and instructors come from many backgrounds beyond the medical field.

HTI describes HT as a holistic bioenergetic therapy utilizing a variety of hands on techniques to balance and re-align the energy fields within and surrounding the body, thus affecting physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

The goal in HT is to restore harmony and balance in the energy system placing the client in a position to self heal. Some physical benefits of HT include enhancement of the immune system, reduction of stress, pain management, healing of wounds and fractures, reduction of hypertension, relief of PMS, headache and arthritic symptoms and pre and postoperative relaxation and recovery.

Motivated by openness of heart and mind, the healer aims to help others and has the intention to serve the highest good of the client. The focus is on the holistic model of healing. HT integrates with traditional health care and is used in collaboration with other approaches to health and healing.

HT is based on the following assumptions according to Mentgen and Bulbrook (2002):
    -   Everyone has a physical body and a subtle body comprised of many layers or fields of energy.
    -   The world and everything in it is interdependent.
    -   All life experiences are recorded in the energy system.
    -   Potential illness appears in the energy system before physical signs are present.
    -   The healing act is a sacred process.
    -   All healing is self healing.
    -   A person can influence the energy field without being able to see it or feel it.

In his book, Vibrational Medicine (2001), Richard Gerber, MD, explains that there is a network of subtle energies which are responsible for the body's life force. Health and illness originate in these subtle energy levels which are affected by the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual components of our being. They, in turn, influence cellular growth patterns. Conventional medicine treats physical conditions with drugs and surgery. Dr. Gerber states that these "quick fix" solutions may not be the answer. "Repatterning the energy fields which direct the cellular expression of dysfunction" through energy work may be the solution.

Prospective clients might be interested to know that HT is an umbrella term for various techniques taught in the muti-level program. Touch can be either direct or non-direct contact. Direct contact is light, gentle, and appropriate. Non- direct contact is carried out a few inches off the body. Both are effective. Some clients choose distance work for a variety of reasons and this too is effective.

Prospective students might be interested to know that the program is taught in sequenced levels. Level 1 includes instruction in the basics of the human energy system and introduces several techniques. Level 2 focuses on developing a healing sequence and introduces back techniques. Level 3 provides the student with more in depth, complex skills. These levels are usually taught in a weekend format. Levels 4 and 5 consist of weekend retreats preparing students to become Healing Touch Practitioners (HTP).

After successful completion of these levels, students may apply for certification in order to become Certified Healing Touch Practitioners (HTCP). Level 6 offers a course of study to the CHTP in preparation for application of certification as an instructor of HT. Renewal of certification for both practitioners and instructors is required every five years.

In addition to the U.S., HT is practiced and taught in many countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Germany, South Africa, Romania, France, the Netherlands as well as many countries in South America. Many hospitals offer this integrative therapy to their patients and staff. There are also many practitioners in private practice.

If you are interested in finding out more about this program or finding a certified practitioner in your area, visit the web site for Healing Touch Program at: http:www.healingtouchprogram.com

(Joanne McMurtrie has been certified in Holistic Nursing and Healing Touch. Her private practice, Bridges To HEAL-th, includes wellness counseling and energy work. Her outreach program, Healing Touch of the Greater Charlotte Area involves many certified practitioners in the area.  She is also an instructor of HT having taught private classes as well as classes at CPCC and Queens University. Joanne has served on the Certification Review Panel for Healing Touch.  She has also served as Vice President of the Holistic Health Network and continues to serve on that board.  She can be reached at: 704-841-4906.)