Touch
In Deepest Sense: A History of Touch by Constance Classen the book explains the historical use of touch as a means of healing in the middle ages. Religion and spiritual ideals were closely related to health practices during that time. For example, monasteries often functioned as medical centers. The book described many healing practices some of which were later disclaimed. However among these practices were methods that still carry relevance today."Surgeons were advised to have 'light hands', expeditious in operating, lest you cause the patient pain." While "Physicians, the 'medical masters' might prescribe tactile treatments ranging from cupping to massage to hot baths" (49).
Classen also spoke of different practices that relied on superstition or trickery. For example she referenced the German physician Franz Anton Mesmer "who postulated the existence of a universal magnetic fluid that can be felt not seen" and he worked to channel and manipulate this magnetism through the touch of his hands. This resembles eastern traditions of medicine such as Reiki that massage therapist Elizabeth Robinson described when she visited class the other week. Even though Classen discarded Mesmer as being a legitimate health practitioner, I would argue that he could have been on to something. In fact, there are healing practices today that are still used that science claims only work because of the placebo effect.
Elizabeth Robinson also shared insight into the use of touch as a healing practice in a modern context. I stumbled on this page that describes reflexology or jin shin jyutsu if you want to learn more.
http://soulspottv.com/blog/this-5-minute-exercise-you-can-do-with-just-your-hands-will-boost-energy-balance-emotions/
Classen also spoke of different practices that relied on superstition or trickery. For example she referenced the German physician Franz Anton Mesmer "who postulated the existence of a universal magnetic fluid that can be felt not seen" and he worked to channel and manipulate this magnetism through the touch of his hands. This resembles eastern traditions of medicine such as Reiki that massage therapist Elizabeth Robinson described when she visited class the other week. Even though Classen discarded Mesmer as being a legitimate health practitioner, I would argue that he could have been on to something. In fact, there are healing practices today that are still used that science claims only work because of the placebo effect.
Elizabeth Robinson also shared insight into the use of touch as a healing practice in a modern context. I stumbled on this page that describes reflexology or jin shin jyutsu if you want to learn more.
http://soulspottv.com/blog/this-5-minute-exercise-you-can-do-with-just-your-hands-will-boost-energy-balance-emotions/
Comments
Post a Comment