Energy Healers Near Me: Finding Reiki, Healing Touch & More

What is Energy Healing?

Energy healing is a type of therapy that manipulates the subtle energy flow in the body to enhance overall health and wellbeing. It has origins in ancient healing practices that restore balance to facilitate the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Rather than focusing on specific body systems, organs or disease processes, energy healers approach health and healing holistically. The goal is to tap into the universal life force energy that exists within and surrounding the physical body to bring harmony between body, mind and spirit.

Concept Behind Energy Healing

Energy healing modalities are based on the concept that people have a subtle energy body that interpenetrates the physical body. This energy body has energy centers called chakras as well as meridians and nadis that act like the body's energy blood vessels.

Imbalances, blockages or disturbances anywhere in this complex energy system can eventually lead to emotional, mental or physical manifestations of disease and illness. Energy healers use various techniques to release stuck energy, open blockages, strengthen and balance the overall energy field.

Common Types of Energy Healing

An array of different energy healing techniques exists, some of the most popular include:

• Reiki: Uses light touch or hovering the hands over specific parts of the body to direct universal energy flow
• Reflexology: Stimulates reflex areas in the feet, hands or ears corresponding to organs or systems
• Acupuncture: Insertion of tiny needles along energy meridians to unblock chi (life force)
• Healing touch: Uses heart-centered energy and hand movements aim to bring harmony to mind, body, spirit
• Qi gong: Combination of movement, breathing techniques, meditation to enhance energy flow

Most types have the common goal of activating the body's natural ability to heal itself by removing any energetic disturbances or imbalances that may be causing dis-ease.

Benefits of Energy Healing

Though individual's experiences can vary widely, on average those who engage in energy healing as part of their wellness regimen may notice benefits like:

• Reduced feelings of pain
• Enhanced quality of sleep
• Decreased perceived stress
• Improved emotional state with lessened anxiety, anger or depression
• Increased sensation of relaxation and wellbeing
• Accelerated healing from surgery, injuries or illness
• Improved digestion and bowel regularity

Scientific studies validating many of these benefits of energy healing continue to emerge. But those who advocate for energy medicine don't need research or proof - their own positive experiences provide enough subjective evidence of this approach's potential to help people heal.

Who Can Benefit from Energy Healing

Because of energy healing's influence on the mind-body connection to reduce stress, improve mood and address many common health complaints, it can benefit:

• Anyone seeking an additional therapy alongside conventional medical care
• People with hard to treat chronic pain like fibromyalgia
• Those recovering from surgery, illness or traumatic injury
• Individuals dealing with emotional or psychological concerns
• Athletes looking to boost sports performance and recovery
• Women struggling with menstrual discomfort or fertility challenges

With little risk of side effects when working with an experienced practitioner, most people stand to benefit in some way from integrating these natural wellness therapies.

Finding an Energy Healer

Many types of practitioners can provide energy healing including:

• Reiki masters
• Acupuncturists
• Bodyworkers
• Chiropractors
• Shamans
• Crystal healers

Ask friends, family and other healthcare providers for referrals to reputable energy healers nearby. Be sure the practitioner holds proper training, credentialing and liability insurance for their modality.

What to Expect During the Initial Visit

The first appointment with the energy healer often includes:

• Health history overview: Discussion of your current and past medical concerns, treatments and goal for your energy healing sessions
• Explanation of techniques: Details on types of therapies, hand placements, body positioning depending on modality chosen
• Consent: Review of policies, written permission acknowledging the complementary nature of energy healing alongside medical care
• Assessment: Evaluation of your energetic field through methods like aura scanning or muscle testing
• Treatment: Gentle hands-on healing session with you lying down or seated depending on technique
• Discussion: Brief conversation about your experiences and any felt sensations during your treatment
• Aftercare advice: Guidance to support the effects of your session like increasing water intake, rest, grounding in nature

This overview gives you a glimpse into what to expect when you have an appointment with an energy healer. Discuss all your questions and concerns to determine if this complementary wellness approach seems right for your needs.

How Many Sessions Are Needed

Some people feelshifts in their energy, emotional state or pain levels after just one session while for others the changes are much more gradual over weeks or months. Most practitioners recommend:

• Acute needs: 1-6 weekly sessions
• Chronic issues: 6-12 weekly sessions then gradual reduction in frequency
• Maintenance: 1 session monthly, quarterly or as needed long-term

The duration and frequency of energy healing completely depends on each person's individual responses. Remain open and pay attention to your own direct experiences to determine what feels most supportive for your health.

Is Energy Healing Safe?

Energy-based therapy like Reiki, healing touch and acupuncture use non-invasive techniques that research confirms carries little risk. However, caution is still warranted for:

• People very sensitive to touch or unable to lie still
• Organ transplant recipients due to risk of organ rejection
• Pregnant women should only work with specially trained prenatal energy healers
• Those with pacemakers or medical devices as effects are unknown

Additionally, energy healing aims to support not replace standard medical care. Alert your healthcare team to the complementary treatments you use to allow optimal coordination of your care.

Regulation Around Safety and Practice

Currently, energy healing occupies a largely unregulated space with state laws varying widely. Most responsible healing professionals obtain some sort of certification or credentials through organizations like:

• Reiki International Reiki Alliance
• Healing Touch Professional Association
• National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Training standards continue evolving for many of these modalities to uphold ethical practice. But currently the onus remains largely on individual energy healers to ensure proper education, conduct themselves responsibly and openly communicate with clients.

Billing Energy Healing Sessions

Many holistic wellness techniques like Reiki do not neatly fit the conventional medical model. So, clients often pay completely out of pocket on a sliding scale for energy healing. Only some practitioner's services qualify for reimbursement through insurance plans like:

• Licensed acupuncturists under acupuncture benefits
• Select bodyworkers, nurses or massage therapists if covered provider in network

Confirm precise costs and potential insurance coverage ahead of your first visit to avoid surprise billing.

Combining Energy Healing with Medicine

Evidence shows energy therapies like healing touch and Reiki complement modern healthcare nicely rather than competing. Those dealing with health concerns benefit from an integrated plan that draws on both traditional medicine and holistic healing modalities.

Benefits of a Collaborative Approach

Partnering your medical team with alternative practitioners promotes:

• Attunement of treatments to your whole person needs
• Awareness of herb/supplement interactions by all members of your care team
• Ongoing communication about your progress, challenges and changing requirements
• Empowerment to take an active role guiding your own healing journey

Blending conventional medical treatments with complementary energy approaches enhances your chances of full recovery by addressing imbalance on every level - physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual.

Talking to Your Doctor About Energy Medicine

To foster integrated care, discuss your interest energy healing modalities like Reiki or healing touch with your healthcare providers. Highlight research on techniques you wish to explore. Invite collaborative dialogue on how best to incorporate holistic therapies to enhance any standard treatments.

Most doctors now recognize value in non-invasive complementary techniques that reduce side effects and speed healing. Approach the conversation openly to find common ground allowing you to benefit from the best of both medical models.

Does Insurance Cover Energy Healing?

At present, most energy and biofield therapies fall outside the realm of standard medical treatments covered by health insurance. So unless bundled into a larger bill by another medical provider, clients pay cash for sessions with energy healers.

Instances Where Insurance May Apply

In special cases, some energy-based treatments may have partial reimbursement such as:

• A hospital billing for a biofield practitioner visit during an inpatient stay
• A holistic clinic submitting claims for a licensed acupuncturists
• An outpatient rehab facility including therapeutic touch as part of programming
• A doctor's appointment using cranial electrotherapy stimulation

But typically, insurance excludes unproven complementary techniques that lack definitive mechanism and clinical evidence. So verify policy details rather than assuming coverage.

Flexible Payment Options from Energy Healing Practitioners

Though rarely reimbursed by insurance, most energy healers aim to make sessions financially accessible by offering:

• Income-based sliding fee scales
• Reduced cost treatments in training clinics performed by students gaining clinical hours
• Package deals to pre-purchase multiple discounted appointments
• Payment plans allowing installment payments for a series of treatments

Discussbudgetary constraints transparently at your initial visit to identify ways to access energy healing despite limited insurance coverage.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.