The many ways of energetic healing
If you have read any of our previous posts, you might have a general idea of what energetic healing is. You may also be completely new to this topic. It works with the body’s energy systems to achieve healing. Different practitioners like to approach it in unique ways to suit their clients. Before we dive into the different ways energetic healing can be used, let's meet this week’s podcast guest.
I spoke with Dr. Cailin O’Hara, who uses her knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine to facilitate energetic healing for her clients. Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient healing system with a variety of approaches to support whole body healing.
Using Traditional Chinese Medicine as a framework, Dr. Cailin can help her clients with their life journeys, as well as their emotional and physical challenges.
Dr. Cailin O'Hara, is a nationally board-certified Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, energy healer, intuitive, and transformative life and business coach. She operates both an in-person healing center and coaches clients internationally through her intuitively guided, energetically based methods.
At her healing center, she specializes in a unique and accelerated mind-body approach for healing the roots of anxiety, low-self worth, and physical health challenges. In transformative coaching, she takes her clients through deeply healing and quantum leaping processes to overcome difficult emotions, reconnect with who they really are, and build successful, purpose-driven businesses and careers.
“In every culture and in every medical tradition before ours, healing was accomplished by moving energy.”
- Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
My personal journey with energetic healing is quite extensive. I have tried many frameworks and have certified in different techniques. I find working and healing with energy fascinating and something interesting to explore further.
What is energetic healing?
You could think of the human body as an interconnected energy system. It is a network of energy pathways that surround and run through the body, making up our essence, or vital force. This energy system includes energy channels called meridians and energy centers, or wheels, called chakras. The body also contains various energy points that can be used for acupuncture or massage. You may have heard this energy being referred to as Qi, Ki, or prana, depending on the tradition.
If we take the analogy of the energy system further, we can extend this idea to our overall functioning or wellbeing. For example, if the system works well and there are no energy blockages, we feel healthy and strong. When problems occur in our energy circuits, such as energy speeding up, slowing down, or getting blocked, we can start feeling unwell.
The consequences of problems in our energy system could be mental and emotional. They could also manifest as physical ailments. In short, our energy system might affect every aspect of our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Often, we may experience low mood or trouble sleeping and concentrating. Or we may experience anxiety and chronic stress. Physical symptoms such as headaches, backaches, or digestive problems may surface.
The goal of energetic healing, and any energy work, is to bring the body’s energy system back into alignment. This could include clearing certain areas of stuck or blocked energy. It could also mean slowing down or speeding up energy at the wheels, or even reversing the way energy flows. Although there are several ways practitioners can work with energy, Dr. Cailin uses Traditional Chinese Medicine as a framework.
Energetic healing methods
The term “energetic healing” is often used to refer to aligning our body’s energy. The word “energy” can mean different things to different people. Sometimes we use it to refer to energy like electricity. In this blog post, we will use it to refer to the vital life force that flows through all living things. Energetic healing can include a range of methods that all address the body's energy flow, sometimes through touch, or through visualization and channeling.
Some more common methods you may recognize include Reiki, Qigong, biofield energy tuning or sound healing, acupuncture, certain types of yoga, quantum healing, and therapeutic touch like massage or reflexology. There are many more types of energetic healing. Each practitioner also adds their own perspectives and energy to what they offer, creating a unique space for each client.
There are also things we do on a daily basis that affect our energetic system. Our energy can be influenced by how we sleep at night. You may notice that when you are tired or suffer from insomnia or anxiety, you may feel sluggish, tired, and unfocused. Your energy system is affected and you may start to feel “off’. The same goes for what we eat. Our diet plays a huge role in how our energetic system functions. Proper and clean nutrition can have a positive impact on how we feel and function. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda work extensively with diet and nutrition, for example.
And finally, our daily exercise or movement routine can play a role. If we have a sedentary job and hardly ever move, our energetic system may feel the negative effects of that. In contrast, if we are active or walk regularly, we may feel healthier and more energetic.
Working with an energetic healing practitioner
Depending on what kind of issues you would like to address, an energetic healing practitioner can assist in different ways. You may be experiencing mental distress like low mood, anxiety, worry, or stress. Working with an energetic healing practitioner can help with your healing journey. The approach will depend on the practitioner.
Dr. Cailin uses Traditional Chinese Medicine, so her approach focuses on the tenets of that tradition and may include acupuncture. Other practitioners may offer energetic healing in conjunction with Ayurveda. You may also work with someone online, receiving Reiki or participating in Qigong or sound healing sessions.
Many professional practitioners can work on physical complaints as well. You may find that when your energy is in alignment, some of your physical ailments may be alleviated or disappear altogether. One of the advantages of working with a professional practitioner is the knowledge and guidance they offer. Practitioners like Dr. Cailin train for many years in their specialty and can offer support and advice for what you are experiencing. Please keep in mind that energy healing work is not a replacement for medical advice.
Take some time to find a practitioner that is right for you. You may need to explore different methods until you find something you align and resonate with. Some people prefer yoga, while others like something more gentle like Reiki. Throughout the pandemic, many practitioners moved their offerings online and there is a wide variety of services available worldwide. Energetic healing will work best when you feel comfortable with the practitioner and in tune with your chosen method.
The Takeaway
If you are new to energetic healing, it could be a gentle way to start your healing journey. Generally, energy healing work is non-invasive and very effective in aligning the body’s vital life force energy. Although acupuncture has proven extremely effective for me, it may not be your first choice if you do not like needles. It took me some time to work up to it.
There are many other choices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine without acupuncture, Ayurveda, Reiki, yoga, sound healing, quantum healing, Qi gong, and many more. With such a variety of methods available, you are likely to find something that resonates with you.
Outside of acupuncture and some hands-on practices, you can also work with practitioners online. From my own experience, online Reiki and sound healing has been just as effective as in-person sessions. This is beneficial if there is no practitioner in your area, you are unable to travel, or have mobility challenges.
One myth I come across often is that energetic healing is only for spiritual issues.
Many people are a bit skeptical and put energy healing into the woo woo realm. I would suggest you try it with an open mind and you may be surprised at the results. When the body’s energetic system is aligned and energy is flowing freely, you may experience a sense of overall well-being. And many emotional or physical complaints may resolve as the body finds its equilibrium again. You may also get some great advice about lifestyle and nutrition from a certified practitioner. These changes could help make a positive difference in your life and well-being.
So, if you have never done energetic healing before, this might be a good time to give it a try.
