Pranic Healing

What is Pranic Healing?

Pranic healing is an energy healing system which aims to maintain overall health and well-being by directing life-force energy to specific parts of the body that need repairing.

The main principle of Pranic Healing is based on the Hindu philosophy, ‘prana’. Prana is the Sanskrit word for ‘life force’ and it relates to the invisible or ‘bio-energy’ that is all around us. You may have also heard of this energy being referred to as Qi, Ki or Chi (pronounced ‘chee’), which is used in Chinese and Japanese therapies such as acupuncture and Reiki. 

These energy-healing approaches are based on the belief that to keep our bodies healthy, we need to keep our energy in harmony and balance. If we experience physical or psychological symptoms like pain, disease, fatigue, stress or anxiety, for example, this is an indication that our prana is imbalanced or blocked. It is thought that the body can heal itself, but by directing prana to the affected areas, the healing process is sped up. This non-contact therapy is known as Pranic Healing. 

How does Pranic Healing work?

There are three stages to Pranic Healing: cleansing, energising and stabilising. It involves scanning the energy body, also known as the ‘aura,’ for any blockages or imbalances. If there are imbalances present in the energy field, these can go on to penetrate the physical body, which is when symptoms can present themselves. 

Following a consultation, the client sits or lies down in a relaxed position and the healer will begin the scan. Once any issues are detected, the healer will use simple cleansing and energising techniques to project revitalised energy towards the body. This process doesn’t involve medication or any other interventions.

No contact is made with the body as the focus is on repairing the energy field that surrounds it to prevent or help treat any physical issues within the body itself. Many healers go on to practice Pranic psychotherapy, which is the name given to the method that focuses on psychological symptoms.

What can be helped with Pranic Healing? 

Pranic Healing is thought to have helped with numerous ailments, including:

• chronic pain
• arthritis
• general aches and pains
• IBS and other gut-related issues
• anxiety
• stress
• grief
• trauma
• phobias

In her article, ‘What is Pranic Healing and how can it help me?’, holistic therapist Melissa Stonard notes that many physical symptoms are rooted in our emotions. Therefore, it’s often the case that Pranic Healers will begin by removing the negative emotional attachment - to pain, for example - before working on the physical presentation. By taking this holistic approach, the likelihood of seeing improvements in the condition increases.

Is Pranic Healing the same as Reiki? 

Both Pranic Healing and Reiki are energy healing systems, but there are some differences as to how this is carried out. 

• Pranic Healing is entirely non-touch, whereas Reiki can be hands-on or hands-off. 
• Pranic Healing involves a scan of the body’s aura to assess any blockages. Reiki relies on the practitioner's intuition.
• Pranic Healers take revitalised energy from direct sources such as the sun, air or ground around them. Reiki masters or level two practitioners, in contrast, receive ‘symbols’ and become attuned to the divine higher frequency. 

The main difference between Reiki and Pranic Healing is that Reiki looks to energise the aura with healing energy, whereas Pranic Healing will remove the negative energy, dispose of it and then replace it with fresh prana.

Both are great healing modalities and each has its strengths. To find out which approach may be more suitable for you, we’d recommend contacting a professional to discuss your options. You may also decide to try both methods to begin with to see which one your body responds best to.

Getting started with Pranic Healing 

As mentioned, Pranic Healing is a complementary therapy, meaning it should be used alongside other medical interventions. This means that Pranic Healers are not able to medically diagnose. Therefore, before getting started, it’s recommended to check with your healthcare professional that this would be suitable for you and can be used safely alongside your existing treatments.

Finding a professional

In the UK, there is no statutory professional regulation for healers. This means that anyone can call themselves a Pranic Healer. Most reputable healers, however, will voluntarily join a register or healing organisation, such as UK Healers or The Healing Trust. This allows them to certify that they are a qualified and experienced practitioner. These organisations outline a code of conduct and code of ethics that their members must abide by.

It’s recommended to check a practitioner's credentials by seeing if they are a member of these organisations and asking some of the following questions:

• Do you have proof of professional indemnity insurance? 
• How many years of training do you have (and proof)?
• How long have you been practising (and proof)? 

At Therapy Directory, our professionals have been verified so you can ensure you’re reaching out to a trusted practitioner.

How to prepare

Generally, there is little you will be required to do before a Pranic Healing session. However, many people may opt to have a salt bath beforehand. This can help the body to absorb more prana. Otherwise, taking a shower before your session is recommended. 

It’s also important to keep well-hydrated with water and avoid any drugs or alcohol. Most importantly, take this time for yourself. At least 30 minutes before your session, try to find space to keep calm and relax.

What happens after Pranic Healing? 

As Pranic Healing is non-invasive, it is generally considered to be a very safe methodology. Some people can experience the below effects following a session, but it’s thought that these are felt more strongly if you are new to Pranic Healing. With regular practice, these tend to dissipate over time:

• feeling more emotional or sensitive
• feeling more tired or extremely energised 
• a feeling of ‘lightness’ 
• headaches
• soreness or tightness in the muscles 

After your session, it is recommended to not wash for 12-24 hours to allow the energy to continue to absorb. Similarly, try to eat light meals and rest when you can in the days afterwards.

Whether you’ve experienced Pranic Healing before, or you’re just starting your journey, keep your heart and mind open to have the best chance of success possible.