How Reiki Can Improve Your Health

Every day, I have at least one client ask me what Reiki is.  When I explain, I'm often met with skepticism or flat out disbelief.  My response to that is usually, "Let me incorporate some Reiki into your massage so you can experience the benefits."  Most people are open to the experience, and so the healing begins.  If you happen to be one of those people (like myself) that need to do some research before trying all these new therapies, then read further for an explanation on how Reiki works and how it can improve your health.

Reiki is an ancient Japanese method of healing which uses energy to bring balance and well-being to the recipient.  Since it helps bring healing to any physical or mental ailment, it is often used as a complimentary therapy in hospitals.  It is extremely versatile because it can be used on babies, adults and the elderly.  Additionally, it's peace-inducing qualities make it extremely beneficial in hospice work.  

It's hands-on, non-manipulative technique also makes it extremely versatile.  Traditionally, there are roughly 27 hand placements the practitioner uses on the recipient.  Half of those are used while the client is face-up and the other half are used while lying face-down.  It's gentle, relaxing, and most people usually fall asleep. 

Here are some common ways Reiki can heal on both the physical and the emotional level:

The Physical Level

• Helps strengthen the immune system by helping reduce stress levels
• Aids in improving sleep quality so the body can heal more efficiently
• Helps relieve pain from headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, arthritis and nerve conditions
• Reduce recovery time from minor and major surgeries
• Has been shown to reduce side effects from medications, including radiation and chemotherapy in cancer treatments
• Relieves PMS and menopausal symptoms

The Emotional Level

• Helps facilitate mental clarity and mental sharpness
• Heals emotional pain from old wounds
• Helps work through dysfunctional situations; can allow the person to find peaceful perspective
• Heals depression, sadness, fear and anger
• Deepens personal relationships due to opening heart energy

Other Uses for Reiki

• Healing for pets
• Plants and gardens
• Cooking and preparing food

The benefits of regular Reiki treatments are immeasurable and a lot of the time, immediate.  At the end of a treatment, most people claim they feel more grounded, peaceful and relaxed.  Some people even have an emotional release, as pain from old wounds comes to the surface for healing.  This is a good thing!  Each person's experience of Reiki will be different, but one thing is for sure:  Healing will happen, even if it's subtle.  

*It should be noted that clearance from a psychologist or psychiatrist should be attained before embarking upon any Reiki session for any patient with more severe psychological illnesses.

Keep Your New Year's Resolutions With the Help of Massage

The turn of the year always brings renewed passion, vows, hope and promise to improve some area of life.  Perhaps you may be thinking of starting that new gluten-free diet, or becoming a member of your local yoga studio, or taking that photography class you've been meaning to take.  Maybe you want to be more organized, bring more peace into your life and just slow down.  

Whatever your New Year's Resolution may be, consider this:  Regular massage therapy sessions can help you keep your resolutions.  Yep.  I said it.  Bold?  You betcha.  But it bears repeating:  Regularly scheduled massage therapy sessions can help you keep those resolutions.  But how?

Let's face it:  Life can be stressful, especially if you are trying to balance the demands of a family, a career and keeping yourself healthy.  The effects of stress on the body can be harsh.  In our society, most people are under chronic states of stress and may not even realize it.  Over time, this state of chronic stress can break the body down.  This state can eventually lead to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure and heart disease.  

When our bodies are in a state of stress, the endocrine system works overtime, constantly outputting stress hormones, such as cortisol.  This constant output of stress hormones gradually breaks down the endocrine system, which leaves our bodies susceptible to these chronic illnesses.  Another culprit of such a breakdown is excessive caffeine consumption, poor diet and not enough exercise.  

With this constant strive for balance, we often unconsciously tip the scales further out of balance by our poor habits.  Is it any wonder why we can't seem to get past February in our self-improvement endeavors?  

This is where massage therapy comes into play.  Research has shown that with regular massage therapy sessions, chronic stress levels are reduced.  Not only does massage give help increase circulation and give you more energy, it also helps reduce stress and pain from chronic illnesses and/or injuries.  With more energy and less pain, you are more likely to keep focused on your resolutions.  

If one of your resolutions happens to be creating a more peaceful household, massage therapy is a strong ally.  Massage therapy is also crucial in helping those in a constant state of stress create healthier households.  Whether you are a parent raising children or taking care of elderly parents, if you are relaxed and more peaceful, these tasks can go more smoothly.  Additionally, you can bring more peace and calm to those in your household.  It's a win-win situation for everyone!