Healing is done by the channelling of healing energies through the healer to the patient by a combination of empathy and intent directing energy, usually through the hands in the presence of the patient or though prayer for absent healing, "absent healing it has to be said is every bit as effective as contact healing" because the energies and the intent are the same either way.
A Healer seeks to supplement the depleted energy of the recipient, dealing with stress at whatever level it exists and releasing the body's own natural healing abilities to deal with the problem in the most effective way.
Patients receiving healing tend to experience sensations of being relaxed and re-energised, its also quite common to feel a tingling sensation much like pins and needles or to feel hot/cold, all of these sensations are perfectly natural and not at all uncomfortable for the recipient.
Healing can be helpful for a wide range of physical and psychological conditions some times to a remarkable degree, apart from its value in aiding relaxation and thus helping to relieve pain healing is also notable for initiating improvements in all aspects of a persons well being.
Healing is in no way an alterative to orthodox medical treatment: but it is complementary to it. Healing can be of great benefit when a person is suffering with depression or simply feeling lost and alone for whatever reason, it can also be of great benefit when physical symptoms are brought about through stress. for it often leaves people with renewed faith in themselves and in the future and gives them an added zest for life.
Holistic healers are nothing more than a channel, (the energies come through us not from us) most healers readily accept the energies come from a much higher and greater source than ourselves and will pray to whom ever they believe in.