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This book offers a new sense of empowerment for the intimate partners of people living with serious health problems. Collinge draws on cutting-edge scientific research along with his experience counseling couples facing serious illness to offer a range of insights, strategies, and techniques that caregivers can utilize to promote their partners’ physical and emotional well-being—while also promoting their own.
Topics include:
• The importance of self-care for the caring partner
• Ways of involving family and friends in a network of support
• Simple massage and touch techniques to bring comfort and reduce symptoms
• How open, affirmative communication can contribute to healing
• Basic energy-healing techniques to promote well-being
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
Part 1 Putting Yourself First
1 The Paradox of Caring 15
2 Care for Your Body 25
3 Stay Connected 28
4 Follow a Daily Spiritual Practice 32
5 Take Respite 37
Part 2 Building a Network of Support
6 How Connection Heals 41
7 Call a Tribal Gathering 49
8 Many Hands, Many Hearts 51
9 Hold a Healing Circle 53
10 Organize a Prayer Network 56
11 Attend (or Create) a Support Group with Other Couples 58
Part 3 Simple Uses of Massage and Touch
12 The First Medicine 63
13 Foot Massage 73
14 Hand Massage 75
15 Head and Face Massage 77
16 Back and Shoulders Massage 80
17 Acupressure for Symptom Relief 82
18 Stroking, Holding, and Snuggling 84
Part 4 Simple Energy Healing Practices
19 Energy, Intention, and Healing 89
20 Balancing Energy 100
21 Clearing the Field 102
22 Local Clearing 105
23 Chakra Connection 108
24 Zeroing In 112
25 Laying On of Hands 113
26 A Family Way 115
Part 5 Distant Healing
27 Never Beyond Reach 121
28 Transforming Suffering 134
29 Transpersonal Imagery: Relaxation and Peace 136
30 Transpersonal Imagery: Healing Processes 138
31 Transpersonal Imagery: Successful Surgery 142
32 Transpersonal Imagery: Effective Treatment 144
33 Prayer 146
Part 6 Affirmative Communication
34 Well-Chosen Words 151
35 Sharing Heart's Intentions 159
36 Coaffirmations 161
37 Appreciation 163
Part 7 Simple Gifts
38 Sleeping Separately 167
39 The Art of the Bath 170
40 Foot Bathing 173
41 Food for the Soul 175
42 The Art of Tea 181
43 Simple Pleasures 184
Epilogue 189
DVD Program: Touch, Caring and Cancer 191
Additional Resources 193
Notes197
Index 215
About the Author 227
Overview
New! Companion DVD now available. For information, click here.
This book offers a new sense of empowerment for the intimate partners of people living with serious health problems. Collinge draws on cutting-edge scientific research along with his experience counseling couples facing serious illness to offer a range of insights, strategies, and techniques that caregivers can utilize to promote their partners’ physical and emotional ...