Healing Touch
Healing Touch is a therapy that aids in clearing and balancing the body’s energy system that has become congested due to stress, illness, injury, grief, medical conditions, surgery or medical treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. The intended outcome of Healing Touch is to restore harmony and balance in the human energy system by creating an optimal environment to enable the body’s innate tendency for healing to occur.
Healing Touch was developed by Janet Mentgen, RN, BSN, in the late 1980s. Mentgen, who was an energetically sensitive nurse, recognized the importance of energy and the healing properties of touch through her work. In 1989, she formally created Healing Touch as an energy medicine program. The Healing Touch Program is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation, and has been peer-reviewed and is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association and the Canadian Holistic Nurses Association. Healing Touch has since been offered in hospitals and recommended by physicians for pre- and post-surgery to improve outcomes related to medical procedures.
Today, Healing Touch is not only offered in hospitals and approved for continuing education for registered nurses, but it is also a regular practice in mental health clinics, physicians’ offices, long term care facilities, and therapeutic massage practices.
Benefits of Healing Touch
Research on Healing Touch
Healing Touch is one of many energy-based modalities that is being increasingly studied. Many science disciplines are turning to the study of subtle energies in their quest to understand the phenomena of energy-based therapies. One can look to new literature within almost every discipline to find the shifting openness to the belief in subtle energies and its impact on our lives. The science of physics and psychoneuroimmunology are publishing increasingly sophisticated theories and research about energy.
To learn more, visit The Healing Touch Research webpage, which will introduce you to the purpose and types of research, the links between theory and research, considerations in being a good consumer of Healing Touch research, topics in HT research and how to access this research for your own information and use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Healing Touch differ from a massage?
The only way Healing Touch is similar to getting a massage is that you lie on a massage table for the treatment. You may also sit on a chair to receive a treatment. You stay fully clothed, and should wear comfortable clothing to be able to relax. You may be asked to remove your shoes. With a massage, muscles are manipulated and pressure is applied. With Healing Touch the practitioner uses very light, gentle touch and/or makes sweeping movements with his/her hands near the body.
What will I experience with a Healing Touch treatment?
Most clients experience a deep sense of calm and relaxation during a session. Towards the end of a session, you may experience the feelings of being nurtured, balanced, and energized. It is those feelings that can gently and significantly impact your health and life, longer term.
Is Healing Touch for everybody?
Healing Touch is beneficial to everyone, and it works as a complementary therapy to conventional medicine and other therapies.
How long does a session last?
Appointments can be scheduled for 60 or 90 minutes, depending on the clients needs.
How much does a session cost?
The initial Healing Touch session is $135.00 for 90 minutes. 60-minute sessions are $100.00.
Who is the Healing Touch Practitioner at Elements of Bodywork?
Our Healing Touch Certified Practitioner is Jenny Heddleson. Learn more about Jenny here.
Where can I find more information about Healing Touch and its research?
Visit the Healing Touch Program’s website for additional FAQ’s and information on the available research.
