Theories of Manipulation and Energy Healing
Humans are viewed as energy fields with a unique pattern. Disruptions in energy lead to illness. Other theories of energy as the basis of life flow from the East and include Prana, Ki, or Chi. Such energies are considered putative and are not without controversy. For this assignment you will pick one energy framework of your choice (it may or may not be listed here) and describe a CAM therapy that flows from it. Your information may come from the text but should also include at least one article from a peer reviewed journal. For this assignment, the article or articles may be either research, practice, or a review in nature and may be older than 5 years. Here is what to include in your paper:
– A description of the energy framework and where it originated.
– A description of at least one specific manipulation or touch therapy that arises from the framework (hint sports massage does not arise from an energy theory, but reflexology, therapeutic touch, acupuncture, and reiki do).
– Discuss the controversies or any ethical issues surrounding that therapy. This section can include what you have read and your opinions.
– Cite your information using APA style (in-text and at the end of your paper). This paper should be about 2 pages. It does not need a title page
Sample Paper
Theories of Manipulation and Energy Healing
Description of the Energy Framework and its Origin
Prana is an energy framework within the subtle body and the surrounding environment. It pulses through the body along with a network of subtle body channels acting as a conduit for energy. Prana encompasses breath or respiration, life force, inner winds, spirit, soul, vital winds, and spiritual energy. Prana energy is responsible for constant motion that begins from birth and is responsible for the body’s life, maintenance and heat. It flows through energy channels referred to as nadis. It is manifested through the physical body, health, and wellness through chakras and flows in and out of the body through breathing. It has been adopted in developing healing therapies in most healthcare organizations. Prana originated from Atman and was discovered by the ancient yogis while exploring body functions and breathing.
Specific Manipulation or Touch Therapy that Arises from the Framework
Pranic healing is a tested and developed system arising from the prana framework. It uses prana to harmonize, transform and balance body energies and processes to keep the body alive while maintaining good health (Wangmo et al., 2020). Pranic healing is a no-touch energy healing that uses the fundamental principle of the body when undergoing self-repairing processes increasing its ability to heal itself. Increasing the life force helps accelerate the healing process in the affected body part. Pranic healing helps treat physical and psychological conditions by enhancing the body’s ability to heal itself. It is critical in reducing stress, improving immune function, and increasing energy levels. It also provides a scientific approach to gaining control over life and is thus useful even among healthy people (Wangmo et al., 2020). Pranic healers use specific frequencies and techniques to access and transmit universal energy for different health conditions.
Controversies or Ethical Issues of the Therapy
Pranic healers claim that the therapy is an alternative for healing most ailments. This includes physical pain and health conditions such as common cold, gastritis, migraine, hypertension, and psychological issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and relationship problems (Jauregui et al., 2012). However, there is a lack of scientific research on this type of healing. Most of the research conducted on pranic healing has shown mixed results. This lack of scientific research has increased the debate regarding prioritizing pranic healing as an alternative to curing diseases. Most medical practitioners support this therapy claiming that the placebo effect resulting from these healing modalities can complement other medical therapies (Jauregui et al., 2012). However, other controversies emerge that the effect is limited to mild pain and diseases, and thus it cannot be fully recommended to people.
There are several ethical issues in pranic healing therapy. Pranic healers should be dedicated to providing competent services respecting human dignity. The healer should strive to heal and alleviate the patient’s condition. The confidentiality of the patient must be protected. Medical history, symptoms, treatment results acquired during pranic healing should not be disclosed to a third party unless the patient consents. The healers should not misuse their power to manipulate invisible subtle energies (Jauregui et al., 2012). Patients are responsible for sharing their medical history, including their current health condition. Healers are also expected to refrain from all forms of criticism or healing modalities that may adversely affect the patient’s health condition. Pranic healing should not interfere with the patient’s medical treatment but should try to remove the negative energy responsible for the disease.
References
Jauregui, M., Schuster, T. L., Clark, M. D., & Jones, J. P. (2012). Pranic Healing: Documenting Use, Expectations, and Perceived Benefits of a Little-Known Therapy in the United States. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 26(3). https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=e5af6d99-5ab3-403d-b949-a7cf88a5aff9%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=82394771
Wangmo, S., Choden, J., & Dendup, T. (2020). Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Pranic Healing in Bhutan. Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences), 14(1), 1-10. https://www.journal.nu.ac.th/JCDR/article/view/Vol-14-No-1-2021-1-10
