Where the term comes from
"The Bars" started as the name of the points, not the session
When Gary Douglas introduced the practice in 1990 under what later became Access Consciousness, "The Bars" referred specifically to the 32 points on the head, not the session as a whole. Over time, the name of the points became the informal name for the entire process — much like "Xerox" became shorthand for photocopying. Practitioners still say they're "running the bars" on someone, meaning they're performing the full touch sequence across all 32 points.
"Bars healing" is a further step of informal shorthand, dropping "Access" entirely and adding "healing" to describe what the process claims to do. It's the kind of phrase you'd find in casual conversation or a search bar more than in official Access Consciousness materials, which generally use "Access Bars" as the formal name.
Because the terminology has drifted, people searching "bars healing" are almost always looking for the same thing as people searching "Access Bars": a session where a trained practitioner lightly touches the 32 points while you rest fully clothed, with the stated goal of releasing stored thoughts and emotional charge.
Understanding the naming history doesn't change what the practice does or doesn't accomplish, but it does clear up any confusion about whether "bars healing" is a separate or related practice — it isn't. It's the same thing, described more casually.
Skim first
Key takeaways
The shortest useful version of this page.
"Bars healing" is informal shorthand for Access Bars.
"The Bars" originally named the 32 head points introduced in 1990.
"Running the Bars" describes performing a session.
The terminology comes from the Access Consciousness system.
The name doesn't change the current evidence status of the underlying claims.
Access Bars terminology, explained
Bars healing / Access Bars / Running the Bars
Different names and phrases used for the same light-touch head-point practice from the Access Consciousness system.
"The Bars" is the foundational, most widely known process within the broader Access Consciousness system.
The naming reflects the organization's own branding and history. It does not, on its own, provide evidence for the claimed mechanism — that's a separate question addressed by looking at independent research.
How the terminology developed
- Gary Douglas introduces "The Bars" as the first process of what would become Access Consciousness.This established the core technique and the name later used for the entire practice.
- Dr. Dain Heer joins as co-creator, and the wider Access Consciousness system expands.The Bars became one process among many, but remained the entry point most people encounter first.
- Informal shorthand like "bars healing" and "running the bars" spreads through practitioner networks and word of mouth.These informal terms now show up as common search phrases distinct from the official "Access Bars" branding.
Reality check
Common misunderstandings
- Myth
"Bars healing" is a different, newer practice than Access Bars.
RealityIt's the same practice, described with more casual or search-friendly language.
- Myth
Dropping "Access" from the name means it's unaffiliated with Access Consciousness.
RealityIt still refers to the same Access Consciousness technique, just phrased informally.
What to remember
"Bars healing" and "Access Bars" refer to the same light-touch head-point practice.
"The Bars" originally named the 32 points, introduced in 1990.
"Running the Bars" is the common phrase for performing a session.
The terminology comes from the Access Consciousness organization.
Naming history doesn't change the current evidence status of the practice's claims.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
What is bars healing?
An informal name for Access Bars, a light-touch wellness session involving 32 points on the head.
Is it different from Access Bars?
No, it's the same practice described more casually.
Who created the Bars?
Gary Douglas introduced the technique in 1990 as the foundation of Access Consciousness.
What does "running the bars" mean?
It refers to performing a full session, moving through all 32 points.
Sources
Global Access Bars. garymdouglas.com. Accessed 2026-07-17
Official source describing the 1990 origin of "The Bars" and the terminology used within the organization.
Access Consciousness. Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-07-17
Independent background on the founding history and naming of the practice.
