Krieger and Kunz Therapeutic TouchSM
Nurse Healers-Professional Associates International, Inc.
Purpose: Therapeutic Touch (TT), a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing practices, is an intentionally directed process of energy exchange during which the practitioner uses the hands as a focus for facilitating healing. The intervention is administered with the intent of enabling people to repattern their energy in the direction of health. Indications for use include, but are not limited to, reduction of pain and anxiety, promotion of relaxation, and facilitation of the body’s natural restorative processes. In addition, Therapeutic Touch can be used alone or with other healing modalities.
· Policy: Therapeutic Touch may be practiced by a practitioner who has successfully completed a minimum of a twelve (12) hour Basic (previously referred to as a Beginner) Level workshop addressing the cognitive and experiential aspects of Therapeutic Touch, given by a Qualified Therapeutic Touch Teacher. Regular practice is the keystone to acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and confidence in Therapeutic Touch. Therefore, Therapeutic Touch practitioners need to practice TT on a consistent basis for at least 1 year with the guidance and support of a mentor. During the mentorship year the mentoree/new practitioner is responsible for seeking out mentoring opportunities which include, but are not limited to, formal support/practice groups, or formalized local mentorship programs, or formalized long-distance mentorship programs. The health care professional can begin utilizing TT in a hospital/health care or other practice settings with support and guidance from any of the above mentoring opportunity formats. Once the mentorees/practitioners first year is completed, a further requirement is the completion of 14 contact hours for the Intermediate Level of Therapeutic Touch practice, taught by a Qualified Therapeutic Touch Teacher. The Intermediate class can be taken 6 months after the Basic class, and the Mentorship can begin at any time after the completion of Basic. The Mentorship doesn't need to be finished prior to taking Intermediate. Therapeutic Touch may be offered to any individual who the practitioner judges may benefit. Therapeutic Touch is an autonomous health care procedure performed within professional practice guidelines.
Considerations: Therapeutic Touch is a process that is always individualized and usually does not exceed 30 minutes. In general, neonates, children, pregnant women, people with psychiatric disorders, the elderly and/or debilitated are more sensitive to the interaction.
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Procedure |
Rationale & Additional Information |
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1. Explain the procedure and obtain verbal permission whenever possible. |
TT can be explained as a relaxation intervention that may relieve pain, decrease anxiety, and/or promote a sense of well being. |
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2. The practitioner centers by bringing one’s body, mind, and emotions to a quiet, focused state of consciousness. |
Centering is the essential aspect of TT and should be maintained throughout the procedure. Maintaining the centered state prevents the use of personal energy and emotional attachment to the outcome. |
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3. Make conscious intention to therapeutically assist individual. |
TT is a purposefully directed process. |
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4. Assess the condition of the energy field by becoming aware of differences in sensory cues in the palmar surfaces of the hands as well as other intuitive and sensory cues in the field. Hands are usually held about 2-4 inches away from the individual’s body and are moved in a head to feet direction. |
Baseline assessment of the energy field is necessary in order to intervene effectively during the TT intervention. |
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5. Use calm and rhythmic hand movements to clear areas of energy imbalance in the field (Formerly called unruffling). |
Repatterning and mobilizing the field facilitates symmetrical and rhythmical energy flow. |
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6. The hands are used as a focal point for directing or modulating energy as determined by the assessment. |
Assessment of the field provides a knowledgeable base for intervention. |
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7. Repeat prior phases as necessary. |
Phases are dynamic and integrated. |
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8. Reassess the condition of the energy field by becoming aware of differences in sensory cues in the palmar surfaces of the hands as well as other intuitive and sensory cues in the field. Hands are usually held about 2-4 inches away from the individual’s body and are moved in a head to feet direction. |
Continuing assessment of the energy field is necessary in order to intervene effectively during the TT intervention and to help determine when the treatment is finished. . |
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9. Give individual an opportunity to rest, evaluate response 10. Document the outcome(s). . |
Rest is useful for integrating the TT process TT is an interaction that can effect a change in the person’s condition |