Energy Therapies: Overview
Also known by these names:
- Acupuncture/electroacupuncture
- Aura healing
- Energy healing
- Energy psychology
- Healing Touch
- Johrei
- Magnet therapy
- Polarity therapy
- Pulsed electromagnetic fields
- Quantum-touch
- Reconnective healing
- Reiki
- Therapeutic Touch® (TT)
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Key Points
- Energy therapies use many techniques, all with a goal of restoring the flow of human energy fields for relieving symptoms, restoring health and/or reducing the risk of disease.
- Our interest in these therapies lies in their usefulness in relieving symptoms, improving quality of life and potentially in life extension.
- Several of these therapies have been recommended in clinical practice guidelines, primarily for symptom management.
- Most energy therapies involve very little risk.
- Benefits of energy therapies vary from individual to individual.
- The mechanism of action of energy therapies is not understood, although many hypotheses have been advanced.
- No strong clinical trial evidence to date shows that these therapies have antitumor effects.
- Costs of these therapies are important to consider, as they are typically not reimbursed by insurance, although acupuncture and electroacupuncture may be reimbursed by some plans.
- Most of these therapies are best conducted by competent practitioners. Qigong may be practiced alone, but instruction from a competent practitioner is helpful.
- People can be trained to administer electroacupuncture at home.
- These therapies are most likely beneficial across a wide range of cancers, even though research to date may focus on only a few cancer types.
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Biofield energy therapies, also known as subtle energy therapies, rely for their efficacy on energies in and around the human body that we don't understand. For some readers, this may sound like hokum. For others, the reality of these energies is beyond question.
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If you have ever felt the radiant heat in the hands of a healer who is passing their hands above your body—but not touching you—it is hard not to believe in these energies. If you have ever experienced the healing power of Reiki, or Therapeutic Touch, or any of the other hands-on or hands-near therapies, it is hard not to credit these energies. And what are the relationships between these hands-on or hands-near therapies and the experience of remote healings—when friends or loved ones or practitioners send healing energy from far away? How do these energies relate to the healing power of prayer? How do these energies relate to the healing power of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture? How, for that matter, do these energies relate to the abilities of some practitioners to do remote intuitive diagnostics as well as to send healing energies? How do they relate to the experiments that show that some people can "see" scenes at a distance through "remote viewing"? Does the brain "contain" the mind or is the brain a radio receiver and transmitter through which transpersonal experiences of mind can be sent and received? How do these energies relate to out-of-body experiences—or to the possibility that the soul survives death?
Many theories have been advanced about these energies and their interconnections. I don't purport to know the answer. What I do know is that I—and millions of other people—have experienced the power and efficacy of subtle energy therapies. The beauty of this work is that you don't have to believe in these subtle energy therapies—or understand them—to begin to benefit from them. You can just try them. If you find benefit, then naturally you will be drawn into the question of how they work. Perhaps—just perhaps—they offer a window into the transcendent healing power of love.
Michael Lerner
Introduction
The National Cancer Institute defines energy therapy:
A form of complementary and alternative medicine based on the belief that a vital energy flows through the human body. The goal of energy therapy is to balance the energy flow in the patient. It is used to reduce stress and anxiety and promote well-being. Energy therapy is being studied in patients receiving cancer therapy, to find out if it can improve quality of life, boost the immune system, or reduce side effects. Also called energy healing.
According to the NCI’s Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (OCCAM):
Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. There are two types:
- Biofield therapies are intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body. The existence of such fields has not yet been scientifically proven. Examples:
- Qigong
- Reiki
- Therapeutic Touch®
- Electromagnetic-based therapies involve the unconventional use of electromagnetic fields, such as pulsed fields, magnetic fields, or alternating-current or direct-current fields. Examples:
- Pulsed electromagnetic fields
- Magnet therapy
Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture
Though acupuncture and electroacupuncture are often classified under the CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) categories of Alternative Medical Systems or Traditional Medical Systems, these therapies involve the balancing and manipulation of energy channels, and as such could be considered energy therapies as well. The evidence base for and uses of acupuncture/electroacupuncture are more developed than for other energy therapies. We provide information in a separate summary about acupuncture and electroacupuncture.
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Overview of Biofield Therapies
Biofield energy therapies include several techniques, with most energy medicine practitioners aiming to restore the flow of energy fields of the human body to relieve symptoms, restore health and reduce the risk of disease. We do not yet have a good understanding of how these therapies exert their effects.
Most energy medicine practitioners aim to restore the flow of energy fields of the human body to relieve symptoms, restore health and reduce the risk of disease.
Distinctions between Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch® and Reiki
A review article by Pamela Potter provides a table summarizing the distinctions between Therapeutic Touch®, Healing Touch and Reiki. It includes a description of each practice’s approach to teaching, course levels, mentoring, intentionality, technique, anecdotal benefit, efficacy and safety.
View the table in Potter's article, Energy therapies in advanced practice oncology: an evidence-informed practice approach.
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Practitioners of some therapies such as Therapeutic Touch® and Healing Touch use their hands near the patient, but don’t necessarily touch the patient. Blinded placebo-controlled trials have shown benefits for side effects and symptoms. These energy therapies may provide a valid therapy alternative for patients wishing to avoid physical touch.
Most of these energy therapies are administered to patients by practitioners, and the relationship between patient and practitioner may be an important part of the therapeutic effects. “The relationship with the energy therapists may alleviate stress, enhance relaxation and enable a sense of protection or feeling safe.” However, patients can learn to practice qigong on their own and may find benefit from a regular personal qigong practice. In Therapeutic Touch® (TT) training, practitioners are often encouraged to teach family members and caregivers simple TT techniques to provide for their loved one who is ill.
Certification
Two of the energy therapy techniques, Therapeutic Touch® and Healing Touch, have a background in nursing. Certification is available to practitioners who meet specific educational and practice criteria. Other biofield therapy practitioners may be unlicensed and/or unregulated. Qigong and Reiki practitioners are also trained, but in the style of Master (Sensei) training that is common in Asian martial arts lineages.
Energy Fields and Religion
Some healing practices associated with certain religious traditions—such as laying on of hands—are not included in this summary but can be found in the BCCT summary on Religious and Spiritual Approaches. Energy therapies on this page do not come from a religious source; they are useful within all religious traditions.
Evidence of Therapeutic Effects
Qigong or Tai Chi: What’s the Difference?
The follow summary draws from Tai Chi Society , the Qigong Institute and Livestrong.com:
The qi (also spelled chi) is “the life energy that flows through the body’s energy pathways.” Tai chi and qigong both cultivate the qi by combining movement, breathing and meditation. Tai chi is the most well-known and popular moving form of qigong. The practitioner uses visualization, breathing and body movement to guide the circulation of qi as it moves through and around the body. Other characteristics in common:
- The same fundamental principle (relaxation)
- The same fundamental method (slowness)
Read more Ways in which tai chi and qigong differ:
- Tai chi originated as a martial art, but qigong is a health practice with origins in Chinese culture and philosophy.
- Tai chi is a series of continuous, circular, slow, relaxed and smooth flowing movements called forms. Tai chi practice is centered on the forms, involving alignment, integration, coordination, connection, precision and unity. The qi manifests as a result of the form.
- The forms in qigong are not as intricate as those in tai chi and need not be executed as precisely. Qigong forms are free in movement and can be adapted to an individual’s manner of moving. Qigong can be carried out standing, sitting or lying down The core body may be still with only the extremities moving. The discipline of qigong is focused on cultivating the qi without need to study the forms.
- The forms in tai chi follow certain rules and involve intricate body mechanics. In tai chi, a series of forms are not repeated as in qigong; instead one form is followed by another, with each form an integral part of the next and making up a continuous flowing movement.
- Tai chi involves an advanced and elaborate choreography, unlike qigong. Tai chi forms generally take longer to learn and master than qigong’s.
- The qi is not easily cultivated early in tai chi practice, whereas qigong practice can generate tremendous qi in a much shorter time.
- The art of qigong can be a profound meditation going deep into consciousness. The moving meditation of tai chi is typically less intense.
- External qigong (that is, administered to a person by a qigong practitioner) is considered a biofield energy therapy. Tai chi is categorized as an exercise and movement therapy.
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Studying the effectiveness of these therapies is difficult because of the challenges in creating controls and placebo conditions. Funding research is also difficult.
Research findings to date have been mixed, and many studies have methodological weaknesses, prompting experts reviewing the evidence to conclude that the research is still sparse, needing larger trials with stronger research methods.
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Some limited trial evidence suggests that biofield therapies can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and give a sense of control and hope. Most patients report feeling relaxed and calm after an energy therapy session. Touch energy therapies seem to have a modest effect in relieving pain.
Preliminary lab (animal) studies suggest effects of enhanced immunity and decreased cancer cell activity and growth. Clinical (human) studies indicate that energy therapies may improve these functions:
- Mood
- Immune system function such as natural killer-cell activity
- Diurnal cortisol patterns
These therapies are most likely beneficial across a wide range of cancers, even though research to date may focus on only a few cancer types. Because these therapies generally involve very little risk and may improve quality of life, many practitioners are comfortable recommending them for patients. However, evidence to date does not support using energy therapies as stand-alone treatments for cancer.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
2009 evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology say that “Therapies based on a philosophy of bioenergy fields are safe and may provide some benefit for reducing stress and enhancing quality of life. There is limited evidence as to their efficacy for symptom management, including reducing pain and fatigue.” The guidelines give a strong recommendation for these therapies:
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- 1B (strong recommendation based on moderate-quality evidence) for reducing anxiety
- 1C (strong recommendation based on low- or very low-quality evidence) for pain, fatigue and other symptom management
The Society for Integrative Oncology 2017 clinical practice guidelines for patients with breast cancer recommends the following energy therapies and their uses based on evidence with at least moderate certainty that the net benefit is small (see Clinical Practice Guidelines and Standards of Care for a full description of grades):
These guidelines also state that as of spring 2017, there was insufficient evidence to form a clinical recommendation for using energy therapies for the following uses (although patients and practitioners report that these therapies are helpful):
Cautions
Biofield therapies are thought to be safe, although evidence of effectiveness and mechanisms of effect is limited.
Specific Biofield Therapies
Descriptions, research, cautions and information about finding practitioners for individual biofield therapies are summarized in separate pages:
- Acupuncture and Acupressure: therapies involving stimulation of one or more designated points on the body with needles (acupuncture), pressure (acupressure), or electricity (electroacupuncture, EA).
- Healing Touch: a heart-centered energy therapy that uses gentle, intentional touch that assists in balancing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
- Johrei: a biofield energy healing technique involving a non-touch transfer of life energy.
- Polarity Therapy: a therapy in which energy is conducted through hands-on touch with the goal of removing energy blocks and restoring smooth, free flow of energy.
- Qigong: an ancient Chinese practice consisting of a combination of movement, self-massage, meditation, and breathing.
- Reiki: a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.
- Tai Chi: the most well-known and popular moving form of qigong. The tai chi practitioner uses visualization, breathing and body movement to guide the circulation of qi as it moves through and around the body.
- Therapeutic Touch®: a holistic, evidence-based therapy that incorporates the intentional and compassionate use of universal energy to promote balance and well-being
Electromagnetically Based Therapies
A description and summary of evidence regarding electromagnetically based therapies is available on our Bioelectromagnetically Based Therapies page.
Written by Laura Pole, RN, MSN, OCNS, and Nancy Hepp, MS; most recent update on June 19, 2019. BCCT has not conducted an independent review of energy therapies research. This summary draws from several sources, including About Herbs, CAM-Cancer, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and other sources as noted.
- National Cancer Institute. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Viewed July 16, 2018.
- Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine. OCCAM Categories of CAM Therapies. National Cancer Institute. Viewed July 16, 2018.
- Potter PJ. Energy therapies in advanced practice oncology: an evidence-informed practice approach. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 2013 May-Jun; 4(3), 139–151.
- Post-White J, Kinney ME, Savik K et al. Therapeutic massage and Healing Touch improve symptoms in cancer. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2003; 2: 332– 44; Cook CA, Guerrerio JF, Slater VE. Healing Touch and quality of life in women receiving radiation treatment for cancer: a randomized controlled trial. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2004; 10: 34–41.
- Deng GE, Frenkel M et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009 Summer;7(3):85-120.
- Deng GE, Frenkel M et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009 Summer;7(3):85-120.
- Potter PJ. Energy therapies in advanced practice oncology: an evidence-informed practice approach. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 2013 May-Jun; 4(3), 139–151.
- Chia K. The difference between Tai Chi and Qigong. Tai Chi Society. October 23, 2011. Viewed January 15, 2018.
- The Qigong Institute. Differences Between Tai Chi and Qigong. Viewed January 15, 2018.
- Wayne J. Qi Gong Vs. Tai Chi. Livestrong.com. September 11, 2017. Viewed January 15, 2018.
- Lutgendorf SK, Mullen-Houser E, Deumic E. Energy Medicine in Cancer. Chapter 15. In Abrams DI, Weil AT. Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2014.
- Deng GE, Frenkel M et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009 Summer;7(3):85-120.
- Greenlee H, DuPont-Reyes MJ et al. Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2017 May 6;67(3):194-232.
- Deng GE, Frenkel M et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative oncology: complementary therapies and botanicals. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2009 Summer;7(3):85-120.
View All References
More Information
- Cancer Network: Energy Therapies
- National Cancer Institute: Topics in Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version (qigong and tai chi)
- Lutgendorf SK, Mullen-Houser E, Deumic E. Energy Medicine in Cancer. Chapter 15 in Abrams DI, Weil AT. Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2014.
- McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016.
- Potter PJ. Energy therapies in advanced practice oncology: an evidence-informed practice approach. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 2013 May-Jun; 4(3), 139–151.
- UK Cancer Research: Healing. A simple, general explanation for patients; helpful explanation about what to expect and how you might feel during the therapy session; includes spiritual healing
- Clinical Trials: Find a Study: enter a specific cancer or other condition in the Condition or Disease box, then enter your therapy of interest in the Other Terms box
- Dr. Cynthia Li: Brave New Medicine
- University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine: Integrative Pain Management Series
- Donald I. Abrams, MD, and Andrew T. Weil, MD: Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition
- Keith I. Block, MD: Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment
- CAM-Cancer Collaboration: CAM-Cancer
- Michael Lerner: Choices In Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer
- Ting Bao, MD: The Role of Integrative Therapy in Cancer Care
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