Energy paths

The meridians are part of an energy circulation system that runs through the body, and Acupuncture is the use of needles placed on particular points along the meridians to balance energy disruptions and heal a great variety of ailments. Acupressure is a simplified form of this, where pressure is applied by the fingers instead of needles.

The chakras are a different energy system, from India, consisting of seven major energy vortexes situated along the center of the body from the bottom of the trunk to the top of the head.

The aura is an energetic projection around our body. Some healers can see it, and Kirilian photography reveals it.

"Chi" means energy, and is often referred to as the energy of the universe. There are techniques designed to help us become aware of our chi, increase it, and use it to heal ourselves and others.

There are modern energy techniques that make use of these systems. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) uses a simple tapping procedure on the end points of the meridians with startling results, TFH (Touch for Health) uses various corrections to balance the meridians, and Kinesiology (of which TFH is one branch) has procedures to balance both the meridians and the chakras.

Vibrational healing

Vibrational healing is based on the idea that different frequencies have specific effects on the body, and can heal certain diseases. This can be done using musical pitches or colors. Crystals are also thought to concentrate certain energies due to their organized structure, and the effects of Bach flower essences are considered to be more energetic in nature than due to their physical properties.

Radionics, first developed by Dr. Albert Abrams in the early 20th century, consisted of using machines to project energy frequencies that destroyed bacteria, viruses, and parasites and healed different ailments. Abrams and his successors (including Royal Rife and Antoine Priore) were invariably pursued as dangerous quacks and their machines destroyed. Today Dr. Hulda Clark proposes a simpler version along the same principles, called the zapper.

Magnets are also used as healing devices and are reputed to have a number of positive effects on the body.

Pure energy

Some methods use instruments no more complicated than the human hand. Reiki and Healing Touch are two examples of this, as well as traditional healers all over the world.