The Ancient Healing Therapy of Reiki
Hello my friends!
Have you missed me? I cannot believe it's been since February that I published a blog! However, my absence from the blogosphere was amazingly a great lesson in "practicing what you preach". You see, I broke my arm this winter ending up with a cast almost up to my shoulder. Blogging time was limited as you can imagine. But as you read on you will see how my overall time was not limited at all!
Yet Another Journey Testimonial!
As many of you have come to learn, a personal health crisis led me to fully embrace holism. My journey further launched a passion to specialize in holistic nursing additionally serving as the catalyst to my practice Intrinsic Health Source. Over the past 18 months of building my practice, I have welcomed energized testimonials from clients validating the integration of holistic therapies within conventional healthcare practices. However, one of the most powerful testimonials would once again come from my own personal health challenge.
I love to start off a New Year with that feeling of a "clean slate" the notion that anything is possible. With that in mind, I was ready to begin 2010 with a bang! But I didn't mean to be so literal about the bang part! It was cold that Friday morning with just a light snow coating my driveway. The driveway was a little slippery, but I had navigated this path for nearly 24 years during our winters in Connecticut. No problem, right? Well, NOT in 2010! Before I knew it, I found myself on the ground. Crack is all I heard! I was hoping it was the sound of my keys being crunched in my hand. Yet, I knew that I broke my arm once I looked down.
Implementing self first aid, I slowly immobilized my arm, elevated it and applied ice. Screaming for my father to drive me to the hospital I began to give myself Reiki. As my dad drove to the ER I continued Reiki. As I waited at the hospital more Reiki. X-rays showed two fractures as the orthopedic doctor strongly recommended surgery. My first thought, was it absolutely necessary to have surgery? I discussed the option to go "conservative" with my doctor; hoping to avoid surgery. He felt that for a better prognosis and quicker recovery surgery was the best method. However he also said it was just his recommendation and honored my decision to attempt a more conservative treatment plan and cast the arm with close follow up.
I will spare you the day by day progress reports, but I am sure you can anticipate the final report. During my weeks in a cast, I had done Reiki on myself everyday, one to two times a day for about 45 minutes. I was convinced that my body was healthy enough to heal on it's own, given the opportunity to so. I ate well, took additional supplements to promote healing of the bone, rested and of course did Reiki. And although I did have days of much discomfort, generally my pain threshold was managable. I avoided using narcotics for pain, taking over the counter Motrin in the evening to provide a comfortable night sleep. When the cast was removed, bruising was almost non existent and swelling was minimal. The bone healed much better than anyone anticipated. And even though the xrays showed a slight "misalignment", my range of motion and functionality was NOT imparied nor was there any "deformities". Most importantly for me, I didn't have any surgical scars, metal pins, rods or plates implanted in my body.
Over the next several weeks I have continued my self healings of Reiki, in addition to my OT sessions and of course continued nutrition and plenty of rest. Within eight weeks from the onset of injury, I was out of my cast and doing well in therapy. I even took a trip to Italy....belissimo! During my physical therapy, I would be working out with several other patients with similar injuries. Most of them had surgery and when we discussed our situations, I was healing faster than many and I definitly had the least amount of pain. For me, I credit this to a holistic approach in my treatment plan. Specifically, it validates the benefit of Reiki helping to facilitate an accelerated healing process and decrease pain. When pain is minimized, the body is able to be in a state of relaxation and rest. Remember a body at rest has the ability to heal!
What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is based on the concept that there is a "universal (source) energy." Practitioners are trained to work with this source energy to help facilitate the body's natural healing potential.
Recognized as Energy Medicine by the National Institute of Health, the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has launched several clinical studies to investigate "scientifically" how Reiki might work and the possible impact to one's health. Yet anecdotal stories of this ancient healing method indicate positive outcomes.
The Reiki method of healing was founded in the 1900's in Japan. It is not a religion or a particular belief system. It is a method of holistic healing working with universal energy to foster positive health results. Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive holistic therapy meant to complement and not replace any medical care.
ENERGY AND HEALTH
Energy is the foundation of life. Everything is made of energy including the human body. Energy enters the body via chakra energy pathway centers. Chakras are powerful vortices pulling into the body free flowing energy. Health is free flowing energy in the body. Illness is the disruption of energy flow caused by energy blocks like chronic stress (physical, mental or emotional). Science now confirms the impact of chronic stress on the immune system, preventing it from fighting illness and disease affecting optimum wellness.
HOW DOES REIKI HEAL?
When body is in a state of balance or "homeostasis" it has the potential to heal itself naturally. The Reiki practioner acts as a facilitator using gentle hand placements on or above the body to infuse the body with Reiki or "universal source energy" to clear, align, and balance the chakra energy centers and the body's energy system. The practitioner does NOT heal, ratherfacilitiates the client's own innate healing potential. Reiki heals by:
Removing energy blocks
Clearing, balancing, and aligning the chakra energy centers
Promoting energy flow to the entire body
Energizing the immune system
Quieting the mind deepening relaxation
Calming the spirit increasing focus
THE BENEFITS OF REIKI
Non-invasive, economical, effective
Reduces stress and anxiety
Relieves pain
Promotes relaxation
Accelerates wound healing
Strengthens the immune system
Aids in the healing of virtually every known illness, disease and injury
Sharpens clarity and self-awareness, leading to personal transformation and freedom
Complements conventional medicine and other therapies
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A REIKI SESSION
Reiki sessions are non-invasive. A typical Reiki treatment takes about 45-60 minutes. The client remains fully clothed while the practitioner uses gentle hand placements on or above the body moving along the head, neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen, arms, hands, legs and feet. Clients usually recline on their backs on a massage table or may be seated in a chair. They may also have a long distant healing wherein they need not be present. among the experiences reported were the feelings of refreshement, calm, and relaxation.
REIKI IN PRACTICE
According to the National Institute of Health NCCAM website dated March 21, 2009:
More than 1.2 million adults had used an energy healing therapy, such as Reiki
People use Reiki for relaxation, stress reduction, and symptom relief, in efforts to improve overall health and well-being
Reiki has been used by people with anxiety, chronic pain, HIV?AIDS, and other health conditions, as well as by people recovering from surgery or experiencing side effects from cancer treatments.
Reiki has also been given to people who are dying (and to their families and caregivers) to help impart a sense of peace.
Are the changes and challenges of life causing you stress? Feeling tired or experiencing a health issue? Perhaps, your're on a quest for clarity, wisdom, and ultimate freedom. CONSIDER REIKI!
Posted by Jeannine Capria at Sunday, May 09. 2010 
Categories: Reiki and Energy Medicine, Holistic Health Therapies, Prevention and Wellness, Health Conditions
Categories: Reiki and Energy Medicine, Holistic Health Therapies, Prevention and Wellness, Health Conditions
I've done reiki for about 2 years. I do see a difference in my energy levels, but I think the biggest difference is in my mind/body connection. I feel more centered and more focused.
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