HOLISTIC METHODS The role of faith in healing

If a person believes healing is on the way, does that alter the outcome of remedies?
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Many people who are unfamiliar with holistic healing methods believe that you must be of a certain religious faith, or have faith in the method itself in order to heal.
For instance, some people think that because Reiki historically comes from a Buddhist background, it would not be suitable if you are Christian. Others believe that healing comes from a particular person, or may have faith that a certain medical doctor can heal them. What is the role, then, that faith plays in our ability to heal?
Reiki practitioners believe that they are simply a channel for healing energy to flow, which comes from a divine source, and is not connected to any religion.
Bailey of Youngstown, a practitioner of Reiki, massotherapy, yoga and meditation, believes that through her faith, "I become a clearer channel for universal energy to work through me."
She also believes that the more conscious the individuals are that she works with, the more effective alternative therapies will be. Her clients come from all religious backgrounds. Bailey is a former Roman Catholic, who now follows the Tibetan Buddhist faith.
Animal healing
But if faith were a factor, would animals be healed from Reiki? Karuna Reiki Master Edward Coyle of Cuyahoga Falls relates a story about his sister-in-law's Yorkshire terrier puppy, Tinkerbelle: "She had broken her leg, so I did Reiki on it for about 45-60 minutes the first day. She settled down and slept. By the next day she was better, so I again gave her Reiki for another 45-60 minutes. By the third day, she was able to walk and play like a normal puppy."
Reiki is not the only therapy that practitioners use on animals. Dr. Luke Lukasko of Newton Falls Animal Hospital combines holistic healing with traditional medicine for his patients. Some of the alternative modalities he practices are cranio-sacral therapy, acupuncture, and NAET for natural allergy relief. He also recommends Rescue Remedy, a Bach Flower blend for calming nervous pets.
Yet Bach Flowers are truly metaphysical, homeopathics that contain only an essence of the original substance and contain no actual drug or herb. So why do they work for animals? Are animals somehow influenced by our beliefs? Or is faith simply not necessary?
Ability comes from within
Lori Dennis, a home-school mom from Alliance, says she searched various religious traditions and Western medical routes, but ultimately believes that her ability to heal came from following her gut feelings, and that her connection to spirit came through books, people and Reiki.
She believes everything she needs to know about healing is from within, but she just had to find it, "a bit like Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz' -- I always had what it takes to go home."
Diane Austin, a business owner from Edinburg, believes "our ability to heal comes from a higher power, but only if we acknowledge it, accept it, and use it."
Jean Macdonald, a doctor of naturology and business consultant from Littleton, Colo., believes "both the client and practitioner must be open to any possible healings."
And there are often times when "healing" does not necessarily mean getting well. Reiki is often used in hospice care to assist people in making transition. In many cases, the patient will pass peacefully, and the family is able to accept the passing with less grief.
Mary Clark, a nurse from Akron whose religious background is pagan, points out, "whatever the recipient believes, regardless of their faith, plays a role in the healing process." This can work both ways, because if clients believe they will not heal, oftentimes they won't.
So how does this relate to traditional medicine and the effectiveness of drugs that have been through years of scientific research and testing, drugs that are supposed to have a certain chemical effect on our bodies?
Effects of placebos
Research at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute has shown that 30 percent to 60 percent of patients showed improvement from symptoms of illnesses ranging from arthritis to depression when given a placebo, or "sugar pill." In cases of depression, those who responded favorably to a placebo also showed actual changes in their brain function.
We may not have answers yet, but we are beginning to ask tough questions concerning our health and our rightful path toward healing.
XLaughing Crow is a practitioner of holistic healing. She may be reached at laughingcrow@neo.rr.com