Hidden in the Hand Summary and Analysis

The use of hands in healing is a consistent practice common to Feldenkrais and others. "Hands-on" therapy is used in many cultures and hearkens back to primate grooming and supports the notion that humans need to be touched. Generally, modern doctors use some type of tool to touch and heal their patient. Ironically, use of hands or manual dexterity does not distinguish proficient from mediocre surgical performance as well as analysis and perceptual organization does. Most critical facility is use of the brain, "not the hands."

Magic and its connection with charismatic persuasion is one of medicine's oldest links. The magician, whether of white or black magic, knows his success depends on belief of his subjects and his ability to distract subjects from what he is doing to create an illusion. Similarly, physicians encourage or...