What is therapeutic touch theory?

Therapeutic touch is based on the theory that the body, mind, and emotions form a complex energy field. According to therapeutic touch, good health is an indication of a balanced energy field, while illness represents imbalance.

Is therapeutic touch a legitimate practice?

There is no good medical evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic touch. A Cochrane systematic review, first published in 2004, found “[t]here is no robust evidence that TT promotes healing of acute wounds” but in 2016 the authors retracted it after the validity of the reviewed studies were questioned.

What is therapeutic touch used for?

What is therapeutic touch? Therapeutic touch is based on ancient healing practices. The goal of the technique is to help people relax, relieve their pain, and help them heal faster. Therapeutic touch is thought to promote healing through restoring harmony to a person’s energy fields.

What are some appropriate uses of touch with clients on inpatient mental health units?

These forms of touch are intentionally and strategically used to enhance a sense of connection with the client and/or to sooth, greet, relax, quiet down or reassure the client.

Who benefits from therapeutic touch?

Therapeutic Touch can benefit people of all ages and all states of health or illness, as well as plants and animals. This therapy is generally very safe, but precautions need to be taken with pregnant women (since there is more than one energy field), and people with some forms of mental illness.

What is the first step in therapeutic touch?

Therapeutic touch involves three steps. The first step is called “centering.” In this phase, the therapeutic touch practitioner focuses or meditates on the intent to treat the person. The second step is “assessment.” In this step, the practitioner moves his or her hands over the person’s body.

What is the difference between healing touch and therapeutic touch?

In Healing Touch (HT) the practitioner does not actually have physical contact the patient but positions the hands above different parts of the body with the intention of facilitating healing. In contrast, in Therapeutic Touch (TT) the practitioner uses gentle touch.

Is therapeutic touch a placebo effect?

Coakley, “but I know it works.” However, some research, such as a study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, suggests that benefits of therapeutic touch are largely because of the placebo effect.

When should Therapeutic Touch be used?

Therapeutic Touch has been shown to promote relaxation; reduce anxiety; reduce pain; support the healing response; enhance symptom control; promote comfort in palliative care; and promotes relaxation and sleep (see bibliography attached for 2015 – 2019 publications as an example).

Can therapists touch clients?

There is also the risk of ethical complaints, so most psychologists refrain from touching clients under any circumstances. The ethics code of the American Psychological Association does not prohibit non-sexual touch, while sexual contact, of course, is forbidden.

Can a therapist hug a client?

If a therapist were to hug the patient on such an occasion, the risk is certainly less than it would be during a regular hugging “regimen.” Likewise, adverse inferences that others may draw should certainly be minimal. Touching in and of itself is not illegal.

What is the difference between therapeutic touch and healing touch?

Are there any scientific studies on therapeutic touch?

There have been more studies on Therapeutic Touch than other biofield energy therapies (Reiki, Healing Touch). There is a large enough body of evidence to conduct formalized analysis. Early Therapeutic Touch studies reported by Heidt indicate efficacy in muscle relaxation and stress and anxiety reduction.

Is there such thing as non-contact therapeutic touch?

Therapeutic touch (commonly shortened to “TT”), known by some as “non-contact therapeutic touch” (NCTT), is a pseudoscientific energy therapy which practitioners claim promotes healing and reduces pain and anxiety.

How does therapeutic touch help people with arthritis?

It may also speed wound healing and improve function in those with arthritis. In fact, studies show that therapeutic touch stimulates cell growth. Therapeutic touch also promotes relaxation.

Who is the person who receives therapeutic touch?

Ultimately, the person who receives therapeutic touch is the healer. The practitioner simply allows your body’s own healing mechanisms to come out. The role of the practitioner is to help this process. What should I expect on my first visit?