Forms of healing

There is an observable growing interest in the process of healing. While most are familiar with what occurs when healing takes place, the questions of how it takes place, and by what means, remain difficult ones. Through increased understanding of the process it may be possible to increase its occurrence and effectiveness, and broaden its scope. Antecedents of contemporary healing activity are documented in the early history of the Christian church. However, the orthodoxy which arose in the church led to the suppression of much of the information relating to this, and also to the spread of orthodoxy and hierarchy as models for government and the professions. Within the contemporary health system, the medical model is the dominant one, although there is an increasingly important social model emerging alongside. There are signs also of increasing overlap between conventional medicine and complementary medicine, despite their differences in emphasis. Emerging also is a growing field of practice which bases itself on an energy model with diagnosis and treatment reflecting information and concepts which stem from theoretical and practical advances made this century, largely in the field of physics and biophysics. Adapting medical practice to the changed conceptualisation which this has produced, is a challenging prospect. The energy model has been employed widely by \New Age\" practitioners and there remains scope for further research to systematise the basis for much of this practice. Non-Western cultures have always provided the Shamanistic model of healing. It offers the possibility of wider incorporation of dance art and symbolism into practices which could enhance both individuals and communities in Western cultures. Some discussion is devoted to the issue of how contemporary healers see themselves and their work. Questionnaire responses and literature sources are used to examine aspects such as training and techniques and the extent to which healing work aims at achieving a situation of self-responsibility in patients or clients. The scientific backdrop against which developments in the practice of healing are occurring is also examined. Philosophical and conceptual shifts in the 1980's suggest there is what might be called a post-rationalist approach to problems emerging alongside continuing rationalist theory and technological change. A post-rationalist approach could involve working more within the existing social and natural systems to understand them better and to improve quality of life and to bring healing to people and situations. A shift from hierarchical to holographic perspectives may assist this process."