Spirituality and Energy Medicine Author: Trieschmann RB Conference/Journal: Journal of Rehabilitation Date published: 2001 Other: Volume ID: 67 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 26 , Word Count: 164 The spiritual teachings of the great teachers and sages across the millennia are based upon some core principles which can be extremely helpful to individuals with major medical illness and physical disability to promote health, happiness, and improved physical function. These principles provide guidance for accessing expanded awareness and higher levels of consciousness. However, at the physical level these principals can serve as a means to understand the results achieved within the burgeoning field of energy medicine, representative techniques including but not limited to acupuncture, therapeutic touch, reiki, qi gong, tai chi. Rehabilitation professionals, as well as all health care professionals, have avoided introducing the topic of spirituality with patients and clients for fear of intruding into a person's religious beliefs. However, the distinction between religion and spirituality is provided herein in order to provide a rationale for the topic of spirituality to be introduced and utilized to enhance health and healing. Some specific applications of spiritual principals during the counseling process are provided.