Psychic Healing: A Review of Historical and Contemporary Research
Psychic healing is an ancient practice that has been used in various cultures for millennia. It is a form of energy healing that uses the power of the mind to bring about physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. This review examines the history of psychic healing, its current applications, and research that has been conducted to evaluate its efficacy.
History
Psychic healing has been used across a variety of cultures, including ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Native Americans, and Greeks (Celenza, 2009). It is thought that the practice of psychic healing originated from shamans, who used their spiritual powers to heal and protect their communities (Celenza, 2009). In many cultures, it is believed that the healer has an innate ability to sense and manipulate the energy around them to bring about healing (Celenza, 2009).
Current Applications
Today, psychic healing is often used in conjunction with other forms of healing, such as Reiki and acupuncture. It can be used to treat physical ailments, emotional issues, and spiritual issues (McKenzie, 2014). The healer may use various techniques, such as visualization, meditation, and energy manipulation, to bring about healing (McKenzie, 2014). It is believed that the healer can use their own energy to influence the energy of the person they are healing (McKenzie, 2014).
Research
A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of psychic healing. A systematic review of 12 studies concluded that there is some evidence to suggest that psychic healing may be beneficial for the treatment of physical and psychological issues (Gardner & Johnson, 2006). However, the authors noted that more research is needed to further evaluate its efficacy.
In a randomized controlled trial, psychic healing was found to be effective for the treatment of depression (Kurzweil et al., 2009). Participants who received psychic healing showed significant improvements in their depression symptoms compared to the control group.
Conclusion
Psychic healing is an ancient practice that is still used today to bring about physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. While there is some evidence to suggest that it can be beneficial for the treatment of certain conditions, more research is needed to fully evaluate its efficacy.
References
Celenza, A. (2009). Psychic healing. In J. M. Kripal (Ed.), Encountering Kali: In the margins, at the center, in the west (pp. 183-210). Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Gardner, S. J., & Johnson, S. (2006). The effectiveness of psychic healing: A systematic review of the literature. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 12(3), 36-44.
Kurzweil, D., Matussek, P., Kleijnen, J., & Joos, S. (2009). The effects of psychic healing on depression: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 9(1), 1-8.
McKenzie, J. (2014). Psychic healing: A guide to the history, techniques, and applications. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.