The spelling of "Therapeutic Touch" may seem straightforward, but it contains a pronunciation challenge. The word "therapeutic" is easy, with stress on the third syllable "pyu". However, "touch" has two possible ways to pronounce it. It can be pronounced with a voiced dental fricative "ð" or unvoiced dental fricative "θ". People have different accents and may choose either one of these. The IPA phonetic transcription for "therapeutic touch" is /θɛrəˈpjuːtɪk tʌtʃ/.
Therapeutic Touch is a complementary therapy that involves the use of energy healing techniques to promote healing and relaxation. It is a non-invasive therapeutic approach that involves the directed placement of hands on or near the body to balance and harmonize the recipient's energy field.
Based on the concept that every person has an energy field surrounding their body, therapeutic touch aims to detect and correct any imbalances or blockages in this field. Practitioners believe that by sensing and manipulating this energy, they can facilitate the body's natural healing process.
During a therapeutic touch session, the practitioner typically begins by assessing the recipient's energy field using their hands. They may experience sensations such as heat, cold, tingling, or vibration, which can guide them in identifying areas of imbalance. The practitioner then uses gentle touch or sweeping motions to redirect the flow of energy and restore balance.
Therapeutic touch has been used to alleviate a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological conditions. It is commonly employed to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, promote relaxation and well-being, and support the body's natural healing abilities. It is considered safe and can be used in conjunction with other medical or holistic treatments.
Although therapeutic touch is grounded in the belief that we are surrounded by and influenced by energy, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy is limited. Critics argue that any reported benefits may be attributed to a placebo effect or the natural healing process. Nevertheless, many individuals continue to find therapeutic touch beneficial as a complementary therapy.
The word therapeutic comes from the Greek word therapeia, meaning healing. It is derived from the verb therapeuein, which means to cure or to treat. The word touch has English roots and refers to the act of contacting or making physical contact with someone or something.
When combined, therapeutic touch refers to a healing technique in which a practitioner uses their hands to assess and balance the energy field of another person. The term was first used in the 1970s by Dolores Krieger, a nurse and professor at New York University. The technique gained popularity in the field of alternative medicine and became known as therapeutic touch.