Searching for Healing Making Sense of the Many Paths to Wholeness

Aimed at the layperson wanting some understanding of the many forms of healing available, this survey taps the increasing interest in and practice of alternative therapies for illnesses that respond poorly to modern medicine.;The book describes how many of the main types of healing work and the cultures they operate from. It suggests that much is to be gained by fostering tolerance and understanding of different healing approaches.;This survey of healing methods and ideas begins by examining the underlying assumptions of modern scientific medicine, and recognizes that it has limitations as a result. The author goes on to explore the mysterious interaction of mind and body in healing, exemplified by the "placebo effect". A chapter also considers the approaches of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Diets, supplements and food intolerances are increasingly seen as having an important impact on health.;Several chapters explore what has become known as alternative medicine and healing, with their basis in metaphysical philosophies or religious systems. These include acupuncture, chiropractic, homoeopathy, aromatherapy, spiritualism and. The author also considers the impact of New Age spirituality on healing. As a Christian, the author naturally gives Christian approaches to healing an honoured place, but in no way suggests that other methods should be written off. Stephen Parsons is the author of "The Challenge of Christian Healing".