The philosophy behind the emergent field of energy medicine is that the body contains an electromagnetic life force that manifests itself in subtle energies and that in a balanced, natural state, these energies flow unimpeded, improving mental, physical, and spiritual health. Practitioners in the field use various techniques to observe and treat the flow of energy in the body, working to restore balance and help patients achieve an optimal state of well-being.
As defined by the American Holistic Medical Association, the field of energy medicine comprises the use of bio-energetic techniques (such as acupuncture; meditation; therapeutic touch; and light, color, and sound therapies) and micro-current and magnetic devices (such as MRI and magnets) to detect disharmony within a person's bioenergetic field before it manifests as disease. Although a relatively new concept in Western medicine, the idea of such a life force is central to several ancient cultures' healing modalities, some of which -- including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine -- are still practiced today. (The Chinese refer to this energy as chi or qi, and in yoga it is called prana.)
Gary E. Schwartz, Ph.D., a professor of psychology, medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and surgery at the University of Arizona, puts the idea into very practical terms, noting that even in conventional Western medicine it's an acknowledged fact that the body is filled with energy: The heart produces enormous amounts of electrical and magnetic energy when it pumps blood throughout the body, and the breath fills the body with chemical energy as it brings in oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide. At weekly workshops at Canyon Ranch spa in Tucson, Arizona, Schwartz shows guests how to align the two to maximize the flow of energy.
"What research has shown is that optimal health and energy happen when the heart and breath are in sync, and there's a particular psychological state, sometimes called gratitude, that coincides with that synchronization," he says. "You can see the heart and breath working together when people are in this state, and as soon as they shift to a frustrating thought, the heart will immediately get out of that pattern and disconnect from the breath."
In addition to the various health benefits that come with keeping the body's energies balanced, recent studies have revealed that energy therapies may help us age more beautifully by keeping negative emotions at bay, thereby reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. "When people learn to lower stress levels through relaxation techniques, between two hundred and five hundred genes change their expression, especially those affecting the immune system and inflammation," says Dawson Church, Ph.D., president of the Soul Medicine Institute. And unlike that of conventional medicine, the experience of seeing an energy medicine practitioner is all about relaxation, further reducing cortisol levels. This is good news considering some of the long-term aging effects of excess cortisol production, including the loss of muscle mass, skin elasticity, bone density, and neuron functioning.
So where will it all lead from here? Striking clinical results and emerging scientific findings show much promise in the field of energy medicine. "It turns out that paying attention to something changes it, and how we pay attention to it affects how it changes," says Schwartz. "If we focus on our bodies with loving intention, it increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and allows energy to flow more. The more we can approach ourselves with loving minds, the healthier we will all be."
Next: Resources for practicing energy healing at home.
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