Background

• The use of spiritual healing can be traced as far back as the New Testament of the Bible. In modern times, a number of therapeutic techniques involve spiritual aspects, and there is overlap between these different approaches. Individuals and organizations involved with spiritual healing may use many different approaches and styles.
• Some schools offer certification in healing, although official licensure is lacking in this area. In England, there are thousands of practitioners registered in numerous healing organizations. Organizations may require a minimum of 2 to 3 years of training for healers.
• Some of the therapies used in the United States that involve spiritual healing or mind/body medicine include distance healing, therapeutic touch, Ayurveda, prayer, pastoral counseling, supernatural healing sources, metaphysical healing and Reiki. These therapies may be grouped under the concept of holistic care.
• Spiritual healing is often practiced without charge, and many different approaches and durations have been used. Treatments may be given at healing centers, in the medical setting, in hospice programs, in the home, and from a distance. Spiritual healers may also work with patients over the Internet.

References

• Astin JA, Harkness E, Ernst E. The efficacy of "distant healing": a systematic review of randomized trials. Ann Intern Med 2000;132(11):903-910.
  View Abstract
• Astin JA, Stone J, Abrams DI, et al. The efficacy of distant healing for human immunodeficiency virus--results of a randomized trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2006 Nov-Dec;12(6):36-41.
  View Abstract
• Atwood KC. The efficacy of spiritual healing. Ann Intern Med 2001;134(12):1150.
  View Abstract
• Brown CK. Methodological problems of clinical research into spiritual healing: the healer's perspective. J Altern Complement Med 2000;6(2):171-176.
  View Abstract
• Crawford CC, Sparber AG, Jonas WB. A systematic review of the quality of research on hands-on and distance healing: clinical and laboratory studies. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 May-Jun;9(3 Suppl):A96-104. Review.
  View Abstract
• Ernst E. Complementary and alternative medicine for pain management in rheumatic disease. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2002 Jan;14(1):58-62. Review.
  View Abstract
• Everett W, Aberra F, Bisson G, et al. Spiritual healing as a therapy of chronic pain: a randomized, clinical trial. Pain 2002;96(1-2):219-220.
  View Abstract
• Gerard S, Smith BH, Simpson JA. A randomized controlled trial of spiritual healing in restricted neck movement. J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Aug;9(4):467-77.
  View Abstract
• Gundersen L. Faith and healing. Ann Intern Med 2000;132(2):169-172.
  View Abstract
• Jonas WB, Crawford CC. The healing presence: can it be reliably measured? J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Oct;10(5):751-6.
  View Abstract
• le Gallez P, Dimmock S, Bird HA. Spiritual healing as adjunct therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Nurs 2000;9(11):695-700.
  View Abstract
• Montazeri A, Sajadian A, Ebrahimi M, et al. Factors predicting the use of complementary and alternative therapies among cancer patients in Iran. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2007 Mar;16(2):144-9. Review.
  View Abstract
• Salib E, Youakim S. Spiritual healing in elderly psychiatric patients: a case-control study in an Egyptian psychiatric hospital. Aging Ment Health 2001;5(4):366-370.
  View Abstract
• Vuckovic NH, Gullion CM, Williams LA, et al. Feasibility and short-term outcomes of a shamanic treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Nov-Dec;13(6):18-29.
  View Abstract
• Walach H, Lewith G, Bosch H, et al. Spiritual healing as a therapy for chronic pain: a randomized, clinical trial. Pain 2002;96(3):403-405.
  View Abstract