Q. Dear Donna: If someone has lost the use of a limb due to a stroke, for example, and can't physically perform the three thumps or trace his or her meridians, can he or she benefit from visualizing these energy medicine techniques?
A. Absolutely! Visualization and mental intention definitely move energy. One of the first stroke patients I ever treated regained some muscle function after just a few days of imagining the energies crossing over from the healthy side of his body to the paralyzed side, and then again to the healthy side. While this kind of mental exercise is good for anyone, it can offer a secondary benefit to older people by helping to keep their minds sharp.