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Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Energy Therapies

Overview

What is energy therapy?

Energy therapy is based on the belief that a vital energy or life force flows through and around the human body. This vital energy is known by multiple names--such as "qi" in traditional Chinese medicine or "prana" in Ayurvedic medicine. Illnesses are due to blocks or imbalances in the energy flow. Therefore, the goal of energy therapy is to balance and harmonize the energy flow in the body to promote health and well-being. Balancing may be achieved by outside force (as with a Reiki practitioner) or inner force (as with the individual practice of qigong). Energy therapy may focus on emotional wellness in addition to physical wellness. 

Various methods of complementary medicine are rooted in energy therapy, including:

  • Polarity therapy
  • Phototherapy and chromotherapy
  • Electrotherapy
  • Magnet therapy
  • Healing touch
  • Reiki
  • Chakra therapy
  • Yoga
  • Qigong

Energy and Polarity Therapy

Phototherapy

Chakra Therapy and Yoga

Magnet Therapy