Modern Energy Healing
With energy healing having been present for thousands of years, and through many different cultures and traditions, there are many different methods of energy healing. Below is a list of the most well-known and well-practiced.
Please note that there are many other systems beyond those I have listed, and more are being developed each day. As such, this is not a complete list, and I haven't purposely excluded any because I don't think they are 'valid' - it is simply that I personally have not worked with them, or have the knowledge and experience to be able to guide you to them.
Please note that there are many other systems beyond those I have listed, and more are being developed each day. As such, this is not a complete list, and I haven't purposely excluded any because I don't think they are 'valid' - it is simply that I personally have not worked with them, or have the knowledge and experience to be able to guide you to them.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method of healing associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been practiced in China for over 2000 years, although its roots may go back even further. Over time, acupuncture evolved as practitioners observed patterns of health and disease, refined meridian charts, and documented effective points. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, acupuncture became more standardized and widely taught.
In the 20th century, acupuncture gained global attention. It became part of integrated healthcare in China and spread to the West.
Acupuncture is based on the idea that qi (vital energy) flows through the body through meridians—invisible channels that connect organs and systems. Illness or pain is thought to arise when this energy becomes blocked, stagnant, or imbalanced.
Acupuncturists insert fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points along these meridians to unblock and regulate qi, stimulate the body's natural healing response, and promote physical and emotional balance.
In the 20th century, acupuncture gained global attention. It became part of integrated healthcare in China and spread to the West.
Acupuncture is based on the idea that qi (vital energy) flows through the body through meridians—invisible channels that connect organs and systems. Illness or pain is thought to arise when this energy becomes blocked, stagnant, or imbalanced.
Acupuncturists insert fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points along these meridians to unblock and regulate qi, stimulate the body's natural healing response, and promote physical and emotional balance.
Angelic Healing
Angelic Healing, also known as Angel Healing, is a focused form of energy healing that involves connecting with angels, archangels, and divine light beings to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is rooted in the belief that angels are compassionate, non-denominational beings of pure love and light - and so you do not necessarily need to be a Christian to work with them.
Whilst there are more 'formal' ways of working with Angelic energies, such as Angel Reiki, there are many other ways you can incorporate Angels into your healing practice. You can call on a specific Angel or Archangel to help you heal from a certain ailment, or even call on them to aid with other healing practices such as chakra or aura cleansing.
Whilst there are more 'formal' ways of working with Angelic energies, such as Angel Reiki, there are many other ways you can incorporate Angels into your healing practice. You can call on a specific Angel or Archangel to help you heal from a certain ailment, or even call on them to aid with other healing practices such as chakra or aura cleansing.
Aura Healing
Aura Healing is a form of energy healing that focuses on the human aura—an invisible field of energy that surrounds and interpenetrates the physical body. It is believed that this field reflects a person's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual state. When the aura becomes imbalanced or disrupted, it can lead to fatigue, emotional distress, or illness. Aura healing aims to restore harmony and clear blockages within this energy field.
There are two main schools of thoughts when it comes to the aura; some believe it is a general energy field, a kaleidoscope of colours, and those colours will inform us of our current energetic state. Others believe that the aura is more structured, comprising of seven different layers that correspond to different aspects of a person's being.
Aura healing most often comprises of working with colour, and the colours which are present in our aura can bring insight into our current state, our strengths, and any weaknesses or blockages we may be facing. As such, colour therapy is often employed when working with, and healing, the aura.
There are two main schools of thoughts when it comes to the aura; some believe it is a general energy field, a kaleidoscope of colours, and those colours will inform us of our current energetic state. Others believe that the aura is more structured, comprising of seven different layers that correspond to different aspects of a person's being.
Aura healing most often comprises of working with colour, and the colours which are present in our aura can bring insight into our current state, our strengths, and any weaknesses or blockages we may be facing. As such, colour therapy is often employed when working with, and healing, the aura.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems, originating in India over 3,000 years ago. The word Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words “Ayur” (life) and “Veda” (knowledge or science) - together meaning “the science of life.”
Ayurveda views health as a state of balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, it aims to prevent illness and promote long-term well-being by harmonizing the individual’s unique constitution with nature.
Ayurveda is based on the belief that health depends on a delicate balance of three fundamental energies, or doshas, that govern body and mind: Vata (air and space): movement, breath, nervous system; Pitta (fire and water): metabolism, digestion, transformation; and Kapha (earth and water): stability, structure, lubrication.
Each person is thought to have a unique constitution (prakriti) made up of these doshas in different proportions. Imbalance in any dosha can lead to disease. Because of this, Ayurveda healing is usually very specific to the individual, rather than a 'one size fits all' practice.
Ayurveda views health as a state of balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, it aims to prevent illness and promote long-term well-being by harmonizing the individual’s unique constitution with nature.
Ayurveda is based on the belief that health depends on a delicate balance of three fundamental energies, or doshas, that govern body and mind: Vata (air and space): movement, breath, nervous system; Pitta (fire and water): metabolism, digestion, transformation; and Kapha (earth and water): stability, structure, lubrication.
Each person is thought to have a unique constitution (prakriti) made up of these doshas in different proportions. Imbalance in any dosha can lead to disease. Because of this, Ayurveda healing is usually very specific to the individual, rather than a 'one size fits all' practice.
Chakra Healing
Chakra Healing is a form of energy healing that focuses on balancing the chakras—spinning energy centres within the body that correspond to different physical, emotional, and spiritual functions. When these energy centres become blocked or imbalanced, it is believed to cause discomfort or illness. Chakra healing works to restore energetic flow and harmony throughout the system. The term chakra comes from Sanskrit, meaning “wheel” or “disk.”
In most modern chakra healing systems, there are seven primary chakras aligned along the spine, each associated with specific organs, emotions, colours, and frequencies; the root, the sacral, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, the third eye, and the crown chakras. In fact, there are many, many more of these energy centres both within and outside of the body, but it is the seven primary chakras which are often used in healing.
You can work directly with the chakras, using visualisation, crystal, and oils to help stimulate them. Or these can be used alongside other methods; some forms of Reiki incorporate the chakras, as does sound therapy.
In most modern chakra healing systems, there are seven primary chakras aligned along the spine, each associated with specific organs, emotions, colours, and frequencies; the root, the sacral, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, the third eye, and the crown chakras. In fact, there are many, many more of these energy centres both within and outside of the body, but it is the seven primary chakras which are often used in healing.
You can work directly with the chakras, using visualisation, crystal, and oils to help stimulate them. Or these can be used alongside other methods; some forms of Reiki incorporate the chakras, as does sound therapy.
Colour Therapy (Chromotherapy)
Colour Therapy, also known as Chromotherapy, is a holistic healing method that uses colours and light frequencies to restore balance to the body, mind, and spirit. It is based on the idea that different colours correspond to different energies, and that exposure to specific colours can influence mood, emotional state, and even physical health. Each colour has its own vibrational frequency that can affect the vibrational frequency of our own energy, and exposure to the appropriate colour can help bring the energy body back into alignment.
There are many different ways to work with colour, from visualisation, to immersing yourself in a specific colour (such as wearing it), carrying crystals of a specific colour, or even coloured light therapy. Specific colours are also used in chakra and aura healing to help heal and balance these energies.
There are many different ways to work with colour, from visualisation, to immersing yourself in a specific colour (such as wearing it), carrying crystals of a specific colour, or even coloured light therapy. Specific colours are also used in chakra and aura healing to help heal and balance these energies.
Crystal Healing
Crystal healing works with the belief that everything has a unique, vibrational frequency, including crystals. This energy can interact with our own subtle energy to help remove blockages and bring healing. Each crystal has its own properties, with some being especially beneficial in energy healing, and these can be employed in a number of different ways. You can carry a crytal with you, or place it on specific points on the body (such as the chakra points for example), create crystal grids, make crystal elixirs, and use them during meditation.
EFT Tapping
EFT was developed in the 1990s by Gary Craig, a Stanford-trained engineer and personal performance coach. It was inspired by the earlier work of Dr. Roger Callahan, a psychologist who developed Thought Field Therapy (TFT)—a technique that used tapping on acupressure points to help treat phobias and trauma. Gary Craig simplified and streamlined TFT into a more accessible, all-purpose technique that could be used by anyone, without clinical training.
EFT is based on the premise that emotional distress is linked to disruptions in the body's energy system, similar to concepts found in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Tapping on meridian points while focusing on a negative feeling or memory is believed to send calming signals to the brain and help “rewire” the body’s response to emotional triggers. There are several specific points that you tap on; these are placed at the eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, the chin, the collarbone, under the arm, and the top of the head, and the side of the hand.
EFT is based on the premise that emotional distress is linked to disruptions in the body's energy system, similar to concepts found in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Tapping on meridian points while focusing on a negative feeling or memory is believed to send calming signals to the brain and help “rewire” the body’s response to emotional triggers. There are several specific points that you tap on; these are placed at the eyebrow, side of the eye, under the eye, under the nose, the chin, the collarbone, under the arm, and the top of the head, and the side of the hand.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a healing practice based on the principle that specific points on the feet, hands, and ears correspond to different organs and systems in the body. By applying gentle pressure to these points, you can stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, and bring balance to the body’s energy systems. Modern reflexology as a formal practice was established in the early 20th century; in the 1910's Dr William Fitzgerald introduced 'zone therapy', dividing the body into 10 vertical zones and linking pressure points to corresponding organs. Then between the 1930's and 1940's, Eunice Ingham further developed this into what we know as reflexology today, creating detailed foot maps which are still used widely.
Similar to acupuncture, reflexology is based on the concept that energy (or “life force”) flows through the body along specific pathways. When this flow is blocked or imbalanced, it can contribute to physical, emotional, and energetic deficiencies. By using our thumb and fingers to apply pressure to specific points, we can release these blockages and promote healing.
Similar to acupuncture, reflexology is based on the concept that energy (or “life force”) flows through the body along specific pathways. When this flow is blocked or imbalanced, it can contribute to physical, emotional, and energetic deficiencies. By using our thumb and fingers to apply pressure to specific points, we can release these blockages and promote healing.
Reiki
Reiki involves the chaneling of universal life force energy through the hands, and into yourself or another, to facilitate healing. Reiki was developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui. After a profound spiritual experience during a meditation retreat in 1922, Usui gained what he described as the ability to channel this healing energy. This marked the beginning of the Usui Reiki System, one of the most practiced systems of Reiki to date.
During a Reiki session the practitioner will connect with your energy to identify blockages, and then channel healing energy into you to help remove these blockages. Reiki can either be performed in person, or long distance. If in person, there are several key hand placements that a practitioner may use, or they may use the chakra points, or instead be guided by their intuition as to where they should place their hands. Some Reiki practitioners also incorporate crystals into their practice to enhance the healing energies.
Usui Reiki has given rise to many different types of Reiki. Some of the more popular types include:
During a Reiki session the practitioner will connect with your energy to identify blockages, and then channel healing energy into you to help remove these blockages. Reiki can either be performed in person, or long distance. If in person, there are several key hand placements that a practitioner may use, or they may use the chakra points, or instead be guided by their intuition as to where they should place their hands. Some Reiki practitioners also incorporate crystals into their practice to enhance the healing energies.
Usui Reiki has given rise to many different types of Reiki. Some of the more popular types include:
- Angel Reiki: Calling upon the Angels and Archangels to deliver healing energy
- Celtic Reiki: Using the Ogham to facilitate healing (note: this practice is slightly controversial as it has no roots in traditional Irish practice)
- 13 Ascended Masters Reiki: Using the power of 13 specific 'ascended masters' to deliver healing energy
- Holy Fire Reiki: Introduced in recent years by the International Centre for Reiki Training
Sound Therapy
As with a couple of the other healing methodologies we have discussed, sound therapy works on the basis that everything is made of energy and our own, subtle energy vibrates at a specific frequency. The vibrations of certain pitches of sound can therefore influence our own energy and help break down blockages and promote healing. Sound has been used as a healing force across many different cultures and spiritual traditions for thousands of years; even chanting is considered a form of sound therapy.
As well as chanting, there are other ways in which sound is used to facilitate healing. This includes singing, using tuning forks, binaural beats, and singing bowls and gongs. You can attend a 'sound bath' session in which singing bowls and gongs are played to produce different notes, often associated with the chakras, to bring healing to, and empower our own subtle energy.
As well as chanting, there are other ways in which sound is used to facilitate healing. This includes singing, using tuning forks, binaural beats, and singing bowls and gongs. You can attend a 'sound bath' session in which singing bowls and gongs are played to produce different notes, often associated with the chakras, to bring healing to, and empower our own subtle energy.
Spirits/Animal Guides
In a similar way as to how some practitioners will work with Angelic energies to facilitate and promote healing, some will also work with spirits and animal guides. This can involve finding a spirit or animal associated with the particular healing energy you require, and calling upon them to aid in your healing.
