Posted by Pande Pire on March 08, 2007 at 07:05:07:
In Reply to: Bioelectric Regeneration posted by Pande Pire on March 08, 2007 at 05:57:39:
There are various explanations given for the "healing touch."
Some are scientific, others can be explained as more supernatural beyond scientific measurement as dealing with non-physical phenomenon.
We won't deal with the latter as the evidence there is entirely anectodal.
However, the science behind the healing touch is largely related to bioelectricity and biomagnetism, putting aside the benefits of the purely physical or biomechanical aspects of touch, massage, alignment, etc.
Some types of electromagnetic therapy have long been recognized even by conventional science. For example, heat or infra-red energy has long been used to aid healing and for pain relief. The hot water bottle and hot compress, for example.
The body naturally radiates heat also. One thing heat does is stimulate blood circulation. Massage then can transfer heat directly to an area and also the physical action of massage also helps to stimulate circulation.
The masseur can develop this further by stimulting circulation to his/her own hands increasing the amount of heat transfer.
Our body also is known to have a bioelectromagnetic field. If we clasp our hands together a bioelectomagnetic current develops. This has been measured scientifically.
If we touch someone, our bioelectromagnetic energy becomes available to that person.
Think of a person who is being shocked by contact with a live wire. If you touch that person, you will also be shocked because the body is a conducter of electricity. To save that person, you would have to use some type of non-conducting insulation to protect you from the current.
So bioelectrical currents can flow through physical contact.
Biomagnetism does not necessarily require contact, but the closer the biomagnetic source is the greater the influence. Also proximity is important in bioelectric currents and pulses.
An electrician knows this concept. The longer a cable, for example, the more "juice" is required to deliver the required power at the other end.
So getting as close to the problem area as possible is helpful in making available sufficient bioelectromagnetic energy. One should of course make sure that any physical manipulation does not worsen existing physical damage or injury.
According to some schools of thought simply making available one's bioelectromagnetic energy to the ailing person can be helpful. Nature takes control from that point.
There is some evidence though that trained practictioners can manipulate the bioelectromagnetic fields and currents in their hands.
"Three adult males with reported extraordinary Qi energy manipulation abilities projected Qi energy towards copper coils that were designed to measure subtle alterations in the immediate electromagnetic environment. The results indicate that power increased or decreased significantly in the test phase at several frequencies when compared to the control phases. The analysis also indicated that the change in power for these specific frequencies was directional. That is, these changes in power were mostly detected in one versus all three coils simultaneously. These results suggest that it is possible for human beings to alter the electromagnetic environment around their hands at will. Specifically, the power seen at certain frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum can be lowered or raised when a Qi Master "emits" Qi energy versus simply holding his hand over a detection device during a control phase."
Manipulation of the Electromagnetic Spectrum via Fields Projected from Human Hands: A Qi Energy Connection?
Randall L. Waechter, M.A. & Lauren Sergio, Ph.D.
Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine Journal, Volume 13 Number 3 2002.
http://www.issseem.org/journal.html
If you think of an electrical system, when damage occurs the system fails because the wiring 'goes bad.'
One break can bring the whole system down. You can restore power by providing a temporary connection i.e. yourself. You become the linkage and/or power source.
Another example is pain. Pain is an entirely bioelectric ressponse meant to protect the body from injury. However, once injury has occured pain can be counterproductive. Already, conventional medicine in many parts of the world use biomagnetism and bioelectricity to help relieve pain.
The healing touch and healing massage could potentially decrease pain by somehow influencing the bioelectric response, for example, by randomly interfering with the bioelectrical processes or purposefully manipulating the energy environment.