TERRI LUNDQUIST
  • Mentoring
    • The Sacred Zoom
    • Soulful Live Gatherings
    • Women's Circles
  • Healing
    • Healing Services
    • What is shamanism
  • Retreats
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Store

Blog

The Science Behind Energy Healing: Bridging the Gap Between Spirituality and Science

5/12/2025

0 Comments

 
Picture
Energy healing has been practiced for centuries, originating in ancient cultures that understood the human body as more than just physical matter. Modalities like Reiki, shamanic healing, and Qi Gong focus on the flow of vital energy through and around the body, aiming to restore harmony and facilitate healing. But as these practices have gained modern popularity, many skeptics have asked, “Does energy healing really work?”

Fortunately, recent advances in science are beginning to create a bridge between spirituality and measurable, observable phenomena. While much is still not fully understood, studies and concepts from fields such as biofields, quantum physics, and the well-documented placebo effect offer intriguing insights into how energy healing might function.
​

Understanding the Energy Within and Around Us
At its core, energy healing works with the idea that the body has an energy field, often termed “life force energy,” “prana,” or “chi.” This energy flows through systems like the chakras and meridians and extends to a biofield that surrounds us.

The Concept of the Biofield
The term “biofield” has been recognized by institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It describes the electromagnetic energy emitted by living organisms that interacts with their surrounding environment. Studies conducted on biofields suggest that disruptions in this field can correlate with illness or imbalance, while restoring its flow often coincides with improved well-being.

For example, a 2013 study on therapeutic touch, a practice designed to harmonize the biofield, found that it reduced pain and anxiety levels in patients. Similarly, Reiki has been shown to influence heart rate and blood pressure, encouraging states of relaxation conducive to healing. If these seem a stretch to you, simply consider the healing power of a warm embrace from a beloved family member or friend at just the right moment.
While research is continually evolving, these findings suggest that the biofield might serve as a critical interface between physical health and energetic practices. As new scientific measurement tools are invented, I believe we will learn much more about our energy field and health.

Quantum Physics and the Role of Intention
Quantum physics, often described as the science of the very small, introduces concepts that parallel spiritual teachings. One fascinating phenomenon that I have been fascinated with is quantum entanglement, which demonstrates that two particles can become so interconnected that the state of one directly influences the other—even when separated by vast distances.

Energy healers often describe their work as creating intentional connections with others to support their energetic balance. The idea of entanglement may lend credibility to practices like distance Reiki, where practitioners send healing energy without being in the same physical space as their clients. While more research is needed to directly link quantum phenomena to human energy fields, the alignments between these ideas remain compelling.

The act of intention itself, which is central to all energy healing modalities, also intersects with scientific observation. Research has shown that human intention can affect matter at a micro level, such as changes in water crystal patterns during experiments involving emotions or focused thought. This suggests that our minds (as pure energy) have more influence on the world around us (also pure energy) than we might realize.

The Power of the Placebo Effect
One of the most widely accepted phenomena bridging science and energy healing is the placebo effect. While often dismissed as “just psychological,” the placebo effect demonstrates the undeniable connection between belief and healing. Numerous studies have confirmed that people who believe they are receiving a treatment—even a fake one, like a sugar pill or sham surgery—not only report feeling better but sometimes show genuine physiological improvement.

Energy healing amplifies this principle by combining belief, intention, and focused energy to create a deeply receptive state in the recipient. For example, Reiki sessions emphasize relaxation and trust, allowing clients to tap into their innate ability to heal. While some skeptics see the placebo effect as a limitation, many in the energy healing community view it as evidence that the mind-body connection is a potent tool for health.

Supporting Evidence from Studies on Energy Healing
  1. Reiki’s Impact on Pain and Stress
    Clinical studies continue to explore Reiki’s effectiveness in reducing pain and promoting relaxation. A 2015 study published in the journal Cancer demonstrated that patients undergoing cancer treatment experienced decreased fatigue, anxiety, and discomfort after Reiki sessions. This underscores how energy healing can complement traditional medicine by addressing emotional and energetic dimensions of health.

    Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26163604/

  2. Healing Touch for Trauma Recovery
    Healing Touch, another modality focusing on the biofield, has been studied for its effects on trauma recovery. One randomized controlled trial on military veterans showed a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms after a course of Healing Touch treatments. These results suggest that energy healing can play an essential role in addressing both physical and emotional imbalance.

    Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33346680/

  3. HeartMath and Coherence
    The HeartMath Institute has extensively researched the relationship between the heart’s electromagnetic field and emotional states. Their studies reveal that intentional practices like focusing on gratitude or compassion can influence the coherence of the heart’s rhythm, which in turn affects overall mental and physical well-being. This mirrors some concepts in energy healing, where practitioners aim to restore coherence and harmony in the body.

    Source: https://www.heartmath.org

How Science and Spirituality Coexist
Some argue that science and spirituality are opposing realms, but in truth, they complement one another. While science seeks to measure and explain, spirituality focuses on direct experience and connection. Energy healing exists at this intersection, combining ancient wisdom with modern curiosity.

It’s important to recognize that not everything in the healing process is currently measurable with existing tools. Just as emotions were once considered intangible but are now understood to have biological roots, energy healing may one day have a similar measurable scientific explanation. For now, its positive effects on mental, emotional, and physical well-being speak for themselves.

Integrating Energy Healing into Your Life
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, exploring energy healing allows you to tap into your body’s ability to restore balance. Working with a Reiki practitioner, attending a shamanic healing session, or practicing energy-based yoga like Kundalini can nurture your inner connection and provide noticeable benefits.

You can also try energy work at home! Techniques like mindful breathing, visualization, or surrounding yourself with specific colors and crystals can help you shift your energy, even without formal training. Healing is not just about the absence of illness but about feeling fully alive and aligned with your highest self.

Final Thoughts
Energy healing is more than a spiritual practice; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with the unseen, yet powerful, forces that shape our health and happiness. While science may not yet have all the answers, studies into biofields, quantum physics, and intention provide clues that support its effectiveness. By respecting both evidence-based inquiry and ancient wisdom, we can bridge the gap between spirituality and science, unlocking deeper levels of healing for all. I highly recommend the works of Gregg Braden, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Lynne McTaggart as good places to start when leaning into where science meets energy healing.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Terri Lundquist

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    August 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    November 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018

    Categories

    All
    Connecting
    Divine Feminine
    Energy Healing
    Living The Life You Want
    Personal Transformation
    Rituals
    Self Love
    Trauma And Transformation
    When Everything Falls Apart

    RSS Feed

Terri has incredible compassion, talents, and gifts. She is also quite humble about that... When you sit in circle with her, it's about finding your own gifts.
Picture
I'd love to stay in touch with you...
Follow me on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel.
​Copyright © 2025 Terri Lundquist
  • Mentoring
    • The Sacred Zoom
    • Soulful Live Gatherings
    • Women's Circles
  • Healing
    • Healing Services
    • What is shamanism
  • Retreats
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Store