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Therapeutic touch (a recent term being used for laying on of hands) is a healing method that has been with us since the beginning of recorded history. Cave drawings, early Eastern and religious literature, Greek mythology, and some of the European historical literature all make reference to this healing art. It is very fitting that nursing should continue the tradition of laying on of hands as a healing modality and lead the professional world in discovering its scientific basis.
Touch has long been recognized by nurses as making an important contribution to the therapeutic benefits of caring. Now, we are scientifically studying the nature of touch as well as discovering and developing newdimensions in relation to its therapeutic uses. The study and use of therapeutic touch develops another aspect of caring that is important to nursing and that is empathy. The use of intuitive knowledge to perceive what clients are experiencing and to determine what repatterning of energies would be supportive of their coping abilities is an important aspect of therapeutic touch.
BASIC CONCEPTS
There are three basic concepts that are germaine to an understanding of the healing process inherent in using therapeutic touch as a nursing intervention. They are as follows: (1) man is an energy field; (2) man and the environment are continually, simultaneously, and mutually exchanging energy with each other (environment refers to everything exterior to man, including other people); and (3) universal order is a force innate to all energy fields. Slowly, but surely, scientists are discovering knowledge that will put these concepts firmly within the realm of commonly acceptable scientific theory.
QUALITIES OF ENERGY WITHIN MAN
Man's energies are multidimensional, however, only the four major levels that are most directly related to health, illness, and the healing process will be discussed. (These levels can also be referred to as energy fields.) The physical level (the physical body) is the most dense and is the only one that people can see. Depending upon the development of their clairvoyant abilities, some people are able to visualize aspects of the other energy levels as well. The energy matrix that closely underlies the physical level and extends 1 1 /2 to 2 inches beyond the physical is known as the etheric level. The emotional...