FAQs

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What is Therapeutic Touch®?
Who is Using Therapeutic Touch?
What Happens During a Session?
How Can I Help?
What Credentials Do You Look for in a Practitioner?
Where Does the Therapeutic Touch Session Take Place?
Length of Session?
What Does it Cost?
Will it Interfere with Your Medications?
Why Consider Therapeutic Touch?
Who Can Benefit from Thearapeutic Touch?
How Can I Find Out More Information?

What is Therapeutic Touch®?

Therapeutic Touch is a safe, evidence-based holistic practice that facilitates the body's own healing process by incorporating the intentional and compassionate use of universal energy to promote balance and well-being.

One of the premises of Therapeutic Touch is that we are all made of energy and energy extends beyond one's skin, like heat radiates from a fire. If our energy is running smoothly, we will feel better mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Who is Using Therapeutic Touch?

Therapeutic Touch is currently taught at many colleges and universities around the world. It is used in a variety of settings including hospitals and many organizations. Among others nurses, doctors, hospice workers, AIDS caregivers, veterinarians, addiction workers, paramedics, midwives, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists use Therapeutic Touch in their practices.

Is Therapeutic Touch Accepted in the Health Care Field?

Therapeutic Touch is accepted, as evidenced by policies and procedures, in an increasing number of healthcare institutions worldwide and as an intervention in a number of Canadian hospitals, residential care homes, hospices, and clinics. In BC and other provinces, once trained in Therapeutic Touch it is considered part of a nurse's scope of practice.

The College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia has approved Therapeutic Touch Level 1 for 8 PE/A1 CEUs for Cycle 10 of CMTBC's Quality Assurance Program. Other disciplines also credit Therapeutic Touch courses towards their continuing education requirements.

What Happens During a Session?

The practitioner moves his/her hands approximately 2-3 inches above your body sensing the differences in your energy. He/she then directs and rebalances your energy with his/her hands. She reassesses and notes any energy change throughout the session. If a practitioner feels it would be beneficial to touch you, she asks permission to do so.

How Can I Help?

During the session, relax and let your mind be quiet. After the session be quiet for 10-20 minutes to allow your rebalanced energy patterns to take hold.

What Credentials Do You Look For in a Practitioner?

In B.C. Therapeutic Touch Practitioners must have completed Therapeutic Touch Level 3 in order to charge for Therapeutic Touch sessions. In choosing a Therapeutic Touch Practitioner you may want to know how many years of experience they have, their level of training, whether they have been credentialled as a Therapeutic Touch Recognized Practitioner (TTRP) or if they have taken the Langara College Therapeutic Touch Practitioner Certificate Program. 

Where Does the Therapeutic Touch Session Take Place?

The session can be done in a practitioner's office or most locations. Ideally, the session is done with the person sitting on a stool or a chair or lying down. The session can also be done while the person is standing or even walking. You will remain fully clothed during the session.

Length of Session?

The average session takes 20 - 30 minutes. However, other factors such as age and the individual's overall state of health need to be considered.

What Does It Cost?

Session prices are set by individual practitioners. Sessions range up to $70.00 or more. Sessions have been covered by some Extended Health Plans, the Worker's Compensation Board, and the Insurance Corporation of BC.

Will It Interfere With Your Medications?

Therapeutic Touch does not interfere with any medications or treatments you may be taking. Research has shown it may even decrease the need for pain medications.

Why Consider Therapeutic Touch?

Therapeutic Touch is a safe, gentle, non-invasive type of energy work which facilitates the body's own healing process. Research has shown that Therapeutic Touch is effective in:

  • Promoting relaxation
  • Decreasing anxiety
  • Accelerating healing
  • Minimizing or eliminating migraine headaches
  • Promoting feelings of calmness, peace, well-being, and balance.

Therapeutic Touch is one of the most highly researched complimentary therapies. See the research page for more information.

Who Can Benefit From Therapeutic Touch?

  • Infants
  • Children
  • Youth
  • Adults
  • Expectant mothers
  • Seniors
  • Plants
  • Pets and other animals
  • Individuals with physical, mental, or behavioral difficulties
  • Those with minor ailments
  • Those who desire relief from symptoms of chronic or serious illness
  • Those who desire a decrease in pain
  • Those seeking health maintenance and balance

How Can I Learn Therapeutic Touch?

Therapeutic Touch is taught in many colleges and universities around the world. It is also taught through Continuing Education, hospices and other health care organizations, and special interest groups. Langara College in Vancouver now offers a very comprehensive Therapeutic Touch Practitioner Certificate Program. For information on this program you can look at their website at: http://langara.ca/continuing-studies/programs-and-courses/programs/therapeutic-touch/index.html.

How Can I Find Out More Information?

Dolores Krieger and Dora Kunz have written several books on Therapeutic Touch and the human energy field. Many can be found or requested from your local library. A couple of books are:

Kreiger, D. (1993). Accepting your power to heal: The personal practice of Therapeutic Touch. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Bear & Company.

Kunz, D. with Krieger, D. (2004). The Spiritual Dimension of Therapeutic Touch. Rochester, Vermont: Bear & Company.

For a description of Theraputic Touch research check out The Ontario Therapeutic Touch Network Research page. Links to this and other networks can be found on the Links page. 

For further information you can also contact Cheryl Larden at [email protected]  

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