Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
~ Buddhist proverb    ​

I hurt myself doing something unusual for me—exercising! I own one piece of exercise equipment called, for some reason, a Roman Chair. It’s designed to help keep the lower back strong. But I don’t push myself, believe me. I try to do 15 -20 hyperextensions a day. Afterwards I stand, grasp the handlebars, lean over, and do push-ups.

But things went wrong this morning. I foolishly prodded myself past my usual comfort level of 16 pushups and forced myself to do 20. No biggie, right? What are 4 more? Well, I immediately felt something rip painfully from my neck down my shoulder and into my upper arm. Not wanting to be a weenie, though, I shook it off and continued with my day. Unfortunately, the pain increased.

You know that feeling when something hurts so much you feel nauseous and can’t find a comfortable place to put your body? That was me. I tried icing the entire area, and took a couple of aspirin. No help. I needed Bio-Touch!

Lucky for me, my husband, Howard, was happy to reciprocate for all the times I’d used Bio-Touch to help his various aches and pains over the years. I gingerly sat on the couch, and he sat next to me, following the instructions in the Bio-Touch training manual to the letter. A few times I had to remind him to use a lighter touch—like a butterfly—but he was successful in finding the specific points and doing the sweeping motions necessary to address shoulder problems.

When he was done 10 minutes later, I felt less pain and had more mobility in my neck, arm, and shoulder! I could actually put my shirt back on without his help! (Shirt was off because Bio-Touch is skin to skin contact.) I continued to ice the area off and on over the next five hours.

Then Howard gave me another quick Bio-Touch session. The relief it brought me put a smile on both of our faces. After all, today is the 4th of July, and I wanted to be able to enjoy our family time and cook-out. And I could! How apropos for me to be free from that awful pain on this day that epitomizes freedom!
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Do I still feel some residual pain in my shoulder? Yes. But it is pain I can live with—pain that sure didn’t interfere with my appetite when I hit the dinner table tonight! 
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“If I can do Bio-Touch anybody can,” Howard remarked, eyeing me as we were eating. “Wow, honey, you going for a second piece of that cherry pie?”

Why do they call it ‘alternative medicine’ when it is the ‘original medicine’ that humans have been using for thousands of years?
~ Author Unknown

Hot off the presses! In its recently released cost survey on alternative medicine, The National Center for Health Statistics reported that almost 60 million Americans – nearly 20% of the US population – spent over $30 billion on alternative and complementary medicines and procedures in 2012. Further, almost half the money – nearly $15 billion – was spent visiting practitioners like acupuncturists, naturopaths, mind-body experts, massage therapists and energy healing specialists.  
 
Amazingly, most of this $15 billion was spent out-of-pocket, meaning ‘not covered by health insurance.’ So what?  Richard Nahim, an epidemiologist with the National Institutes of Health and the lead author of the report, says it best, “The cost data tells you how much people value these approaches. When people say they’re willing to pay out of pocket for alternative treatment, they really must value and believe in it.”

Bio-Touch, which some believe first existed in ancient Egypt, fits neatly within this group of complementary procedures, that is, procedures used together with conventional medical protocols. However – and this is huge – one of the beauties of Bio-Touch is that it is within easy reach of everyone’s budget! If you live in or near Tucson, there is no cost to receive Bio-Touch sessions, as they are always given on a donation-only basis at the Tucson Center. And if you live elsewhere, you can learn and practice Bio-Touch for the cost of a one-year membership in the Bio-Touch organization – just $18 – because your membership includes the entire downloadable training manual. And with this manual, you can learn and use Bio-Touch for life to support good health for those you love and care for. And they can do the same for you.

Feeling aches, pain, or stress? Have a medical condition that requires treatment? Or, do you just want to maintain your good health? Think Bio-Touch, the low cost (and possibly lowest cost) complementary protocol. You could spend a lot, but why? Instead, spend a little and enjoy enormous benefits from this amazing touch-healing technique!   

Recently I read a fascinating article that explained how people who volunteer regularly feel good inside— something that researchers call a “helpers high.” There seems to be an actual physical sensation that occurs when people help others; they experience greater energy and strength, less anxiety and depression and increased feelings of self-worth. People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains, feel calmer, stronger and more energetic after helping others. Volunteering makes us happier, healthier, and may even lengthen our lives. Children who volunteer are more likely to grow up to be adults who volunteer. And in a wonderfully positive circle, communities with lots of volunteers are more stable and better places to live, which in turn further boosts volunteerism.

Interestingly, the benefits of volunteering seem to be linked to a person’s degree of commitment. Some studies found the benefits increased up to the point where a person had volunteered 100 or more hours during a year. Consistency seems to be key—the more consistently one volunteers, the better their physical and psychological benefits.

Almost seven years ago when I first walked into the Bio-Touch Center in Tucson to take a class, I was amazed to learn that the Bio-Touch organization offered sessions for donations only, and was made up entirely of volunteers, having long recognized and embraced the immense value to both parties (the practitioners and the recipients) of “being of service” to others.

The Bio-Touch Center volunteers are deeply appreciated by so many people inside and outside the organization, and I can attest to the job being the most gratifying volunteer work I’ve ever done in my life. I’ve volunteered at my children’s schools, for cancer and lung disease organizations, religious organizations, etc, and although I felt pretty good about the work I did at those places, it paled in comparison to the incredible transformation I felt when I became “of service” to others by sharing the loving touch of Bio-Touch. 

People who have read my book “Bio-Touch: Healing With The Power In Our Fingertips” know that one of the hardest concepts for me to appreciate, despite its importance to the Bio-Touch philosophy, was self-awareness. It made sense to me on an intellectual level, but until I was willing to really embrace its significance, I struggled to see its value in my life.

So what is self-awareness and why is it so important? Self-awareness is taking note of ourselves. When we turn our awareness toward ourselves, we can take a good look at what’s working for us and what isn’t. This can help plant the seeds of change into our subconscious minds, so we can become motivated to do things differently.

The incentive for breaking bad habits, for example, happens when we become aware of the detrimental effects those habits have on us and our future, and realize we won’t be able to have what we want if we don’t stop doing the negative behaviors.
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Being present with our bodies and minds can put us on alert. It can bring us important information, such as noticing a shiver down our spine or a gut feeling warning us of an impending threat from a stranger, for example.

Self-awareness is also an important tool of inner renewal— a journey of self discovery helping us understand who we are, how we think, what we feel and how we react to situations. It’s a way we can become intentionally and non-judgmentally aware of our thoughts and actions in the present moment. When we’re in that present moment, for however briefly, we are no longer caught up in the past or worrying about the future.

As I spent more and more time sharing Bio-Touch with others, it became easier for me to turn my attention inward, thereby learning more about myself than ever before. But like most things of value, self-awareness is not a quick-fix solution. It’s a process centered on reconnecting with ourselves (something lost to our fast-paced living) and our place in the interconnected universe.
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So, how do I feel about self-awareness now? I absolutely relish how it allows me to witness my “state of being” and course-correct whenever necessary!

What is it about the power of the written word that can draw throngs of people—over 100,000 in a single weekend—to a book fair in Tucson, Arizona? What is it in the magical promise of words that can excite readers to loyally follow their favorite authors, expediting their books’ trajectory paths to best-seller status almost overnight?

Worldwide membership in book clubs has been cultivated by celebrities like Oprah, bookstores, libraries, community centers, etc. A conservative estimate puts the number of book clubs in the United States at well over 100, 000. In the United Kingdom, book clubs are estimated to number 50,000. There are even online book clubs with chapters in the US and many other countries around the world. That’s a lot of people reading and discussing a lot of books.

Why? I think it’s because readers of all ages yearn to be inspired, fulfilled, challenged, comforted, entertained, and educated. It doesn’t matter what their personal circumstances are. They are human. They share the human condition, feeling the fear and pain that everyone experiences sometimes. But they can escape, for a while, into a different world through the power of words—a tapestry an author has woven.

I, too, love to lose myself in a good book. But I know something that is even more helpful and comforting than escaping into the written word. And that is learning and sharing Bio-Touch. This unique touch-healing technique effectively addresses the pain and fear inherent in the human condition, simply by using human fingertips to lightly touch specific points on the body. Bio-Touch uses this power of touch to bring down pain levels (and the accompanying fear), stress, inflammation, and symptoms of disease. Studies have shown that after a session, people feel relaxed and cared for. That’s why we say Bio-Touch is a gift to humanity—because it’s our birthright to be healthy, happy, and loved.

​So, just like the power of the written word, the power of Bio-Touch can help people glimpse that nugget of truth for which, as Joseph Conrad quoted above, they had forgotten to ask.

Valentine’s Day is just one of many days that I feel grateful for loving and being loved by my husband, Howard. Sharing gestures and/or words of love with spouses, significant others, relatives, and friends helps us feel good physically and mentally—connected to and cared for by other human beings.  

But Howard has another love besides me. He loves the outdoors—walking, hiking and biking are three of his favorite pastimes. And he always comes home from his outings with a story or two to share with me. Earlier this week he told me about his conversation with Clark, a man he met on a hiking trail at the point where the trail splits in two directions. The new acquaintances talked a bit, and then discussed which option to choose—one trail headed east before looping back west, and the other trail headed south before rejoining the same west-bound trail.

Soon the men made their choices and walked their separate ways—Howard heading east and Clark heading south. Who knows? Maybe their paths will cross on the trails again, someday. But either way, Clark gave Howard an interesting nugget of information.
Clark told my husband that he hikes because he heard that walking helps stave off Alzheimer’s disease. Howard said that Clark appeared to be older than him, maybe in his 70s, and in good shape.

Well, Clark’s comment got me to thinking: Is there a connection between Alzheimer’s and walking? And if so, is my husband’s love of walking and hiking (and even biking) not only a source of enjoyment for him, but also a way for him to reduce the potential for Alzheimer’s?

I turned to my favorite tool when I have a question – Google Search. I entered “Alzheimer’s and Walking” into the search window, hit enter, and the first item returned was an article titled “Walking May Cut Alzheimer’s Risk.” Eureka! Published in 2010, this article summarized a research study that links walking with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Cyrus Raji, PhD and a radiologist at the University of Pittsburgh, together with his colleagues, analyzed the relationship between walking and brain structure in 426 people—299 cognitively healthy adults, 83 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 44 adults with Alzheimer’s. Their research led the team to conclude that walking 6 miles a week (an average of ¾ of a mile a day) instead of being sedentary was associated with a 50% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk over 13 years for cognitively normal adults, and slowed the brain degeneration and memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s among people who already have MCI. 

While there are no known cures for Alzheimer’s, research has shown that there are many factors that might help prevent Alzheimer’s, including diet and lifestyle. The latter would encompass a wide range of activities—exercise, which would include my husband’s three favorites, as well as aerobics, sports, and many others; intellectual activities, such as completing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, playing board games, or reading; and regular social interaction.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of exercise—overheating and sweating have never appealed to me— but I do love to read, work crossword puzzles, and socialize with friends and family. So I’m hopeful that those activities will help reduce my risk of Alzheimer’s.

But I have another tool in my personal healthcare toolkit: Bio-Touch. As I’ve written in past blogs, research shows that by using a light-touch on points on the body that correspond with specific health conditions, Bio-Touch significantly reduces stress and pain levels, and alleviates symptoms of disease. And it’s an effective adjunct to traditional medical protocols as part of an integrative approach to healthcare. The Bio-Touch website lists over 50 health conditions that can be positively addressed with Bio-Touch, including Alzheimer’s and dementia. For symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, light touch is recommended on points of the head, neck, back and chest, which seems to enhance the body’s own healing ability.

I’m so happy that Howard enjoys the social and physical aspects of hiking, which may prevent Alzheimer’s in his future. But just to be on the safe side, I’m also going to use Bio-Touch on my husband, and show him how to use it on me. It’s a loving touch to share with another for the benefit of both. And to paraphrase Bob DeMarco’s quote, there is no substitute for the love of Bio-Touch! 

Do you know about TED? No, not the foul-mouthed teddy bear with the former Marky Mark as his sidekick! TED is a nonprofit organization hosting conferences dedicated to Technology, Entertainment and Design. Its tagline is “Ideas worth spreading.” Can’t make it to a conference? Not a problem! Just log onto www.ted.com to view any of the more than 2,100 video presentations from past conferences.

And that is what I recently did.

Looking through the category “most popular talks of all time,” I found a presentation by Shawn Achor, psychologist, CEO of Good Think, Inc. and author of two books on happiness. The title of the presentation is “The Happy Secret to Better Work.”  ‘Well,’ I thought, ‘who wouldn’t want to know this?’ and so I watched the video presentation, which runs about 12 minutes, and has been viewed more than 12 million times since it was filmed in May 2011.  (Click here to watch the video.)

The crux of Shawn’s message is that the traditional formula for finding happiness—if I work harder, I will be more successful, and if I’m more successful, I will be happier—is “scientifically backwards.”  Why? Because with each success, our human tendency is to set a higher goal—“good” leads to a need for “better” and “better” leads to a need for “better yet.” This is often a never-ending cycle, so, as Shawn says, “… if happiness follows success, our brain never gets there.”

What Shawn recommends, instead, is that we raise our level of “positivity in the present,” which he refers to as the “happiness advantage.” If our brain (that is, our outlook) is positive, we will perform better because our intelligence, creativity, productivity, and energy levels will rise. And so by becoming positive in the present, we increase our chances of success.

So, Shawn Achor (and others, by the way) suggests that happiness is the road to success. Makes sense. Well, what about Voltaire, who observed that happiness is the road to good health?

I Googled “connecting happiness and health,” and as you might have guessed, there are literally millions of entries (8.8 million+) on this topic. I’d like to share a few with you:

•  “Want to feel better and improve your health? Start by focusing on the things that bring you happiness. Scientific evidence suggests that positive emotions can help make life longer and healthier. Lowering stress levels over a period of years with a positive outlook and relaxation techniques could reduce your risk of heart problems.” (The Happiness-Health Connection, Harvard Health Publications, 2012)
• “Happy people recover more quickly from surgery, cope better with pain, have lower blood pressure, and have longer life expectancy than unhappy people. Studies also show that happy people may have stronger immune systems—they’re less likely to get colds and flu viruses. And when they do, their symptoms tend to be mild.” (Happiness and Your Health, ShareCare.com)
• “A review of more than 160 studies of human and animal subjects has found clear and compelling evidence that—all else being equal—happy people tend to live longer and experience better health than their unhappy peers.” (Happiness Improves Health and Lengthens Life, ScienceDaily.com, 2011)

Shawn Achor concluded his presentation by saying that small changes in our behavior ripple outward, and create lasting positive change, and with these positive changes, we will be happier and more successful. To this, I would add, “and healthier.” 

All of this is embodied in Bio-Touch, that simple and unique technique that connects people to one another, lowers stress, and helps people feel cared for. After a session Bio-Touch recipients are breathing more deeply and their pain is reduced, which promotes their being happier and healthier.  And this just happens to be our goal at Bio-Touch: to help everyone achieve their birthright—to be happier, healthier and loved! 

Who remembers the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)” by The Hillside Singers? This popular song first aired in 1971 as an advertising jingle for Coca Cola (“I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke”), and subsequently was re-recorded as a single by both The Hillside Singers and The New Seekers (sans the reference to Coca Cola), reaching #5 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart in 1972.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the International Foundation for Bio-Magnetics, the nonprofit organization through which Bio-Touch is taught, I’m reminded of this song when I think about the Foundation’s Vision:

        “To encourage all people to take responsibility for their own healthcare, empower them to assist others, and create a community of people worldwide dedicated to service, self awareness, and recognizing the equality of all humanity—thus forming a chain which shall go on indefinitely.”

In other words, a world in perfect harmony! Kudos to Paul Bucky and the others who crafted this Vision.

So, how can you and I help Bio-Touch achieve such a Vision?

The process—which is well under way—starts with a personal commitment to embrace Bio-Touch as part of our integrative approach to healthcare. And then, like the pebble tossed into the ocean, each of us sets the ripple effect in motion by inspiring and teaching others—our family, friends, associates, and acquaintances—to do the same.

These small, individual acts can have an enormous impact. Consider this simple example—if six people who embrace Bio-Touch each inspire and teach six people to do the same, and this happen just six times, we will have a Bio-Touch community of almost 280 thousand people! A seventh time? Almost 1.7 million people. Yes, the pebble cast into the ocean can become a tsunami of positive change—a “community of people worldwide dedicated to service, self awareness, and recognizing the equality of all humanity—thus forming a chain which shall go on indefinitely.”

Bio-Touch is a loving touch, and it is meant to be shared. With a new year upon us, please join with me in resolving to inspire and help others to embrace Bio-Touch. Together, we will create a Bio-Touch community of people worldwide “in perfect harmony.” 

Happy New Year to all!

Recently my husband, Howard, experienced severe pain on the side of his neck—something he attributed to sleeping on the wrong pillow, or maybe just sleeping wrong on his pillow. But since he enjoys taking long bike rides and hiking for miles on mountain trails, I suspected he overdid it with one of those activities. Either way, over the course of the next week, the pain kept him on the sidelines. It traveled down to his shoulders and up to the other side of his neck. He described its intensity as being an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. The throbbing eventually subsided and disappeared, and his range of motion was restored fairly quickly, thanks— in part— to Bio-Touch.

Although I don’t enjoy seeing my dear husband in pain, I can’t help but smile whenever he asks me for a Bio-Touch session, because it wasn’t long ago that he was very skeptical of its healing benefits. Back then if he suffered a minor injury, I’d offer him a session, but he’d mutter “no thanks” while wearing an expression of “no way.” Then he’d grab the bottle of ibuprofen, down a couple of pills, and gingerly hold a hot or cold pack to wherever he was hurting.

But over time, Howard has opened himself up to Bio-Touch, and it has proven to him how well it helps reduce aches and swelling, and relieves many other discomforts as well. And he now appreciates its place alongside traditional medicine.

The Bio-Touch technique includes sets of points specifically designed to address conditions of the neck and shoulder regions of the body. What’s more, there were three studies done by doctors that showed that Bio-Touch brings down pain levels. So it makes good sense to use Bio-Touch in conjunction with mainstream medicine in order to achieve the best outcome possible.

Howard still grabs that bottle of ibuprofen and applies his ice pack or hot compress when something hurts. But now he knows that when he also receives Bio-Touch sessions, his body relaxes, his pain and swelling decrease, and he’s back to feeling good again faster than ever before. And the next thing I know, he’s smiling again, heading out the door for a long ride on his bike or a 6 mile hike.

Whether it comes from a friend, loved one, new acquaintance, or someone I’ve known forever, I get a warm, gushy feeling when that person shows their appreciation for something I’ve done. Their gratitude and feedback are great motivators for me to keep up the good work.

Feedback can take many forms—a simple thank you, a hug, kiss, pat on the back, or handshake. And sometimes, feedback comes in the form of a written note.

Bio-Touch has received many such notes—testimonials, to be specific—over the years. Some are posted on its website, while many more are kept in a thick three-ring binder at the Center in Tucson. I had flipped through that binder once or twice, but had never actually sat down to read the testimonials. And so it wasn’t until I interviewed Paul Bucky for my book, Bio-Touch: HEALING WITH THE POWER IN OUR FINGERTIPS, that I heard about a particularly incredible testimonial in that notebook, written by a man named Curtis more than 20 years ago. And after reading it, I was so moved by Curtis’ story and his poignant words, that I included his entire testimonial in my book.

Curtis was a 74 year old man who suffered from a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which causes blindness. Half the men in his family went blind, slowly and steadily, every other generation. Curtis wrote, “Needless to say, I’ve been blind…totally blind…for about five or six years.”

Curtis explained that he learned about Bio-Touch from “a fishing buddy” who was a “brittle diabetic…in very bad shape,” whose condition improved after receiving Bio-Touch sessions. Although a self-described skeptic, Curtis was impressed with what Bio-Touch did for his friend. “I acquiesced to being treated. The first thing I noticed from the treatment was being lightly touched in a very methodic way. After the treatment the practitioners were very nice and warm.”

So, Curtis continued having Bio-Touch sessions. “For a blind man to see again is virtually unheard of, except under the hands of the Almighty,” he noted. But in time, Curtis was truly able to see! Of that he wrote, “I began to think…goodness I can see the light by the window…a glow of light, and I got quite excited.”  And then Curtis went on to see more things, such as trees, sunsets, and his own face in the mirror. “There I looked in the mirror and saw the ugliest old man I had ever seen!”

While his vision was fuzzy, and the images he saw were fleeting, he was extremely grateful to be able to see after being in the darkness for so long. His gratitude was palpable in his moving tribute to Bio-Touch and those who helped him, “What I’m writing this for is the miracle of Bio-Touch.”
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Curtis’ appreciation for what Bio-Touch and its practitioners did for him is the best kind of feedback. It encourages all of us who are associated with Bio-Touch to continue sharing it and teaching it, helping more and more people all over the world. To paraphrase Kenneth Koch, Curtis’ testimonial was a powerful affirmation review by someone who understood the work of Bio-Touch.

Today I gave a Bio-Touch session to my suffering mother. Six years ago I learned this touch-healing technique because I craved to have some measure of control in situations where loved ones were suffering. You see, I didn’t know about Bio-Touch when my daughter had viral meningitis and the doctor-prescribed pain medications weren’t relieving her terrible headaches. I was helpless to do anything for her then; I could only be frustrated and frightened until she recovered on her own.

Mom is 95 years old, and up until recently has been fairly healthy. Unfortunately, though, over the past months she’s become frail and exceedingly thin, despite eating well. Congestive heart failure has caused her feet to swell and her breathing to be more labored. So she was placed on oxygen and in hospice care a few weeks back.

Then three days ago, she fell and broke her shoulder. The doctors at the hospital could only do so much—she isn’t a good candidate for surgery or the rehabilitation that would follow. So her shoulder and arm were wrapped for stability, she was prescribed pain-killers, and sent home—confined to bed. If Mom stays still, the pain isn’t too bad. But when she moves, she gasps and moans, quickly reminded of her broken shoulder. 

It’s hard to see her in pain, especially at her age and in her weakened state. So it was a relief for me to be able to sit next to her bed, reach over, and lightly touch her today. Bio-Touch is touching as lightly as a butterfly, so I didn’t have to jostle her or apply any pressure. Within a few minutes my fingers (which she complained at first were too cold against her skin) warmed, and Mom started to relax. I touched the specific points on her body that bring down stress levels and anxiety, and she breathed more deeply. I touched around her arms and her bruised and broken shoulder, and then on her legs and feet, and finally on her head and neck. She smiled as her eyes closed. Then she fell asleep, the smile still in place.

I was smiling too. Bio-Touch is an incredible gift for both of us. It gives me something productive to do, helping alleviate Mom’s stress, pain, and inflammation. It gives her relief and comfort, wrapped in a loving touch that reminds her that she’s cared for, and not alone. And for that, I’m grateful beyond words.

Google the phrase “life is a journey,” and you could spend years reading the 480 million results from this search. Lots of quotes (for example, the all too familiar “life’s a journey, not a destination” or “life’s a journey…enjoy the ride”), blogs, videos, memes, and much more.

The quote most apropos to my six years as a certified practitioner is, “On the journey of life, it’s okay to stop and ask for directions.” While not a daily mantra, I found I needed guidance from time to time from my mentor, Paul Bucky. Here is an example that I share in greater detail in my book.

Conquering Fear

During my first year as a practitioner at the Bio-Touch Center, I had a new recipient, Jake. Jake was a nice-looking, thirty-something year old man. I explained the process and after he filled out the paperwork, I read that he was seeking help with psoriasis, a skin condition. Thinking nothing of it, I asked him to remove his shirt while I left the room to wash my hands, as practitioners do before a Bio-Touch session.

My heart dropped to my stomach when I re-entered the room—there were angry, scaly, red patches all over his chest, abdomen, and back! I had never seen, let alone touched, anyone with such a severe skin condition. I remembered hearing about psoriasis in television commercials, but having to touch a recipient with that condition using my bare fingers caused my mind to go blank. I couldn’t remember if it was contagious or not. (It is not.)

I remembered hearing in class that our comfort as practitioners was as important as our recipients’ comfort, but I knew that didn’t absolve me from working on Jake. My heart told me that if I truly wanted to help people, this was part of the deal. So, I faked a smile and did my best, trying to touch the least crusty “safer” areas on his body.

After the session, Jake met me at the front desk and made an appointment for the following week. What was I going to do? I didn’t relish the idea of having to touch his skin again. Then I was filled with guilt and self-doubt. Did I have the capacity to “love thy neighbor as thyself,” a guiding principle of Bio-Touch?

I forced myself to talk with Paul about this, although I was embarrassed to admit my true feelings. I worried that he’d have less respect for my commitment to help people feel better.

“Ah, a test for Debra!” Paul exclaimed. “You’re really being challenged here.” He explained that practitioners never had to do something they weren’t comfortable with, and never had to touch someone if their condition was contagious. In fact, it was sensible to ask a recipient if their condition was contagious. And then he said, “Now, as far as not wanting to touch Jake again—even knowing he’s not contagious—there’s only one way to think about it. It’s just another challenge on your personal journey— through Bio-Touch—to conquer your pre-conceived judgments and fears. Once you accept your challenges with love, they’ll disappear.”

I wanted to believe him. And even though I still had trepidations about Jake’s next appointment, I took Paul’s advice and opened my heart to Jake and the challenges presented to me. Well, thank goodness, when Jake returned for his next appointment, he said he was less stressed out, and his skin was so improved, I could touch him with ease.

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.”
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This quote from author Paulo Coelho perfectly captures my growth as a certified practitioner. I’ve had many heartwarming experiences—and a few harrowing challenges—along my journey’s path, but I’ve learned and grown from each, and know that I will continue to do so.  

I’m sure many of you have heard of Dr. Andrew Weil, who is universally recognized as an expert in health and wellness—medical doctor, teacher, and author on holistic health. Dr. Weil was at the forefront of the field of integrative medicine when he founded the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona (ACIM) in 1994. Highly regarded as a leader in transforming health care, ACIM offers a program where medical students can take elective courses to learn about complementary healing techniques, including Bio-Touch. Paul Bucky (co-founder of Bio-Touch), other practitioners, and I have given Bio-Touch sessions to medical students in this program. It was so gratifying to see their enthusiasm as they embraced Bio-Touch as part of their education and training in integrative medicine.
 
So, what is integrative medicine (IM), and how does Bio-Touch fit in?
 
Simply stated, integrative medicine (also known as integrative care) is a collaborative approach to health care, between patient and practitioner, that incorporates the full range of medical therapies—traditional (mainstream) medicine AND complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Guiding principles to IM include:

• A commitment to the philosophy and practice that medicine should address the body, mind and spirit of the patient—treating the whole person, not just the disease. 
• Use therapies that are supported by evidence.
• Use natural and less invasive procedures whenever possible.
• Promote healthy behaviors, the prevention of illness, and effective self-care.

 
The field of CAM includes many different therapies—acupuncture, acupressure, massage, herbal medicines, and touch healing, to name a few. These therapies are used to promote, maintain, and restore physical, emotional, mental, energetic, and spiritual health.
 
It is probably no coincidence that Dr. Well founded ACIM on the heels of a major study, in 1993, that found that one in three Americans were using some form of CAM, and often without the knowledge of their primary care practitioners.  In 2007, the National Health Interview Survey found that 38% of U.S. adults and 12% of children use some form of CAM, including various touch-based healing therapies. So, CAM basically became mainstream in the U.S., and with its broad acceptance, medical schools added courses on these “nontraditional therapies.” There has been significant growth in integrative medicine centers across the U.S. 
 
Bio-Touch fits within the definition of complementary and alternative medicine—but does it fit within the framework of integrative medicine? It certainly does.

• Bio-Touch is a technique encouraged to be used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, traditional medicine.
• Bio-Touch is supported by evidence—three separate research projects demonstrated that Bio-Touch significantly reduces stress and pain levels, and alleviates symptoms of disease. One researcher, Dr. Kenna Stephenson, said, “Bio-Touch is a low tech, low cost solution for many families in my practice.”
• Bio-Touch is non-invasive—practitioners use the first two fingers of each hand to lightly touch precise points on the body. 
• Bio-Touch is based on the body’s natural healing ability, much like energy therapy and other well-accepted healing techniques.
• And, Bio-Touch is used to support good health—mind, body, and spirit—through all stages of life.

 
Near the end of chapter 11 of my book, Paul Bucky talks about another integrative care program that Bio-Touch participates in—Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK), which is a non-profit organization that serves families whose children have special medical needs. In her endorsement of my book Shay Beider, the Founder and Executive Director of ITK, said “Bio-Touch has been an integral part of our healing retreats for families with children with special medical needs. It serves as a powerful tool for remembering that healing is in our own hands and that simple, loving touch can be transformative.”
 
A report on integrative medicine by the Bravewell Collaborative concluded, “The adoption of the practices and principles of integrative medicine will transform health care, improve the health care system, reduce costs, and produce a much healthier nation.” 
 
I’m so thankful that Bio-Touch is an integral part of this important movement.