Therapeutic Touch: Placebo Effect or Energetic Form of Communication

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to consider whether Therapeutic Touch, a meditative healing technique, is a placebo or whether it is a form of communication with energetic or electrical properties. Both claims have been proposed by the techniques adherents. Peirces theory of signs and Wilbers epistemologically-oriented, new world paradigm were used as a framework for analyzing the merits of each premise. Therapeutic Touch is evaluated in terms of six elements of communication: the source, destination, channel, message, code and context. Comparisons are supported by rational argument and research findings.