What is energy medicine and what are common modalities?

• A. Practices that ignore biofields; modalities include standard physical therapy; evidence is uniform.
• B. A form of religious ritual with no health implications.
• C. Practices that work with biofields or subtle energy; modalities include Reiki, therapeutic touch, and Qigong-based energy work; evidence varies; ensure safety and patient consent.
• D. A dietary supplement regimen.

Answer: (C)

Energy medicine centers on working with biofields or subtle energy that some people believe surrounds and runs through the body. It includes modalities like Reiki, therapeutic touch, and Qigong-based energy work, which use hands-on or energy-focused techniques aimed at balancing energy patterns to support well-being. Evidence for these practices varies by modality and condition, so safety, informed consent, and clear communication with a healthcare provider are important when considering them. The other descriptions don’t fit energy medicine: one implies it ignores biofields and sticks to conventional physical therapy with uniform evidence, which isn’t how energy-based approaches are defined; another portrays it as a religious ritual with no health implications, which overlooks the health-focused goals many people pursue; and a dietary supplement view misses the energy-focused techniques involved.