Healing Touch

​​What is Healing Touch?  Healing Touch is an eclectic combination of techniques for therapeutic intervention and is appropriate for use in the care of hospice patients. Healing touch is a gentle and non-invasive technique and has been shown to be useful in reducing pain, anxiety, depression and other symptoms related to care of the terminally ill. Healing touch has been known to promote relaxation as well as enhance the quality of life. Its effects may be experienced on physical, emotional and/or spiritual levels. 

Healing Touch does not require physical touch, the techniques can be used within a few inches of the body. The tools are the therapist's hands and their intent and the techniques can be applied through meditation or prayer. Under conditions of severe pain or when a patient experiences anxiety or fear of being physically touched, the techniques can still be applied effectively. In fact, one technique is designed specifically for anyone in transition and is particularly appropriate in the dying process. With this flexibility, Healing Touch is an ideal modality for hospice care. 

Application to Hospice Care: It is important to recognize the differences between healing and curing. Healing Touch provides several modalities within its comprehensive teaching program to assist in the dying process. The techniques of Healing Touch are designed to ease the disease condition and to help the patient come into balance energetically so they are able to heal themselves. Research shows that the minimal, most common response to receiving Healing Touch is the relaxation response. This response opens a pathway for the patient to experience less pain, a decreased need for pain medications, easier sleep, reduced anxiety and an quickened response to medications. Healing Touch is applicable to any of our patients, of any age, anywhere.  ​