Research conducted by Holly Woodruff, MSN, RN, maternal-child educator, Blessing Hospital, was recently published in The Nursing Voice, the newsletter of the American Nurses Association – Illinois.
As part of her Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Woodruff conducted research entitled, “Impact of Crystal Healing on Maternal Grief Following Perinatal or Newborn Loss.”
Crystal healing is an ancient alternative therapy based on the theory that different gemstones or crystals contain unique energy vibrations. With the cooperation of the Quincy-based SHARE support group of parents who have lost children, Woodruff supplied each woman in the group with two crystals to carry for a month. Comparing results of a survey the women took before and after receiving the crystals, Woodruff found each woman reported feeling more supported and closely connected to the other women after carrying the crystal for one month, characteristics that can lead to development of a healthy grieving pattern.
Woodruff is a nine year member of the Blessing Hospital nursing staff. She earned her Master and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She facilitates the SHARE infant and perinatal support group at Blessing Hospital and is a member of the Pi Pi Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
