How Reiki Can Help With Physical and Emotional Distress
by Gail-Elaine Tinker, M.S. Psychotherapist/ Reiki Master/ Life Coach
The only premise one needs to accept or experience the power of Reiki is an acceptance of an all-encompassing energy which sustains every living being and the cosmos; call it atomic, electric, neuro-chemical, spiritual energy, or God, as you wish. Just as pain and discomfort are non-discriminating, so is the practice of Reiki. It is a way of encountering this universal energy and using it for healing. It is a 100% natural, non-invasive technique which harnesses the recipient’s own healing faculties purely for beneficial purposes.
What it is: Reiki [ray-key] comes from early 20th century Japan, Mikao Usui was on a spiritual journey, which eventually led him to the practice of a healing art, which he deemed important to share, now known as Reiki. In the 1960s it became popular in America’s counterculture as a means of self-healing. Once considered very alternative, Reiki has made its way into Western medical practices, similar to acupuncture. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has scientifically studied Reiki’s impact on many health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. It is well established as a method for assisting cancer, chronic pain, burns… and in nursing homes, dying patients in hospice, even with animals/pets with pain. The effect of healing and stress reduction is a common experience of recipients, which can boost the immune system’s ability to cope with chronic conditions. Just feeling a care-taking touch is sometimes beneficial, beyond the healing energy Reiki provides.
Reiki practitioners develop a personal self-practice of Reiki, to raise their energetic levels before providing service to others. They follow their own personal spiritual practice, but add some simple life-guiding principles and professional ethics to enhance their lives and support their ability to give Reiki correctly. They are not guides, gurus, or counselors. They listen to the recipient’s needs and follow an important protocol of hand placements and slow movements in providing the healing, relaxing session. Reiki does not demand a spiritual commitment from a client; you can be any religion or have no religion, to gain benefit from Reiki. Anyone can learn to do it, although tradition in the practice involves training from a ‘master.’ This is where technique and ethics are imparted to the practitioner. Reiki is not an instantaneous cure for ailments, like ‘laying on of hands,’ but a cumulative practice to enhance the well-being of the recipient.
The use of Reiki for emotional distress is relatively recent. Used in combination with positive talk, the Reiki has a soothing effect on many individuals with depression, anxiety, stress, and some mental disorders. As a trained, experienced, Psychotherapist and Reiki practitioner, I use both sets of professional judgment and ethics when providing Reiki to those with mental distress. It is not psychotherapy, but an alternative to teach/experience relaxation and care. It can be a powerful assistant in cases of post-partum depression, insomnia, phobias, and somatic distress. My chronic pain clients are much relieved, whether emotionally or physically, after Reiki sessions, furthermore it does not exacerbate the pain.
What it does: Reiki relaxes, it heals, it helps the recipient to focus quietly in a positive manner during the session, it encompasses sanctuary, it provides safe, lightweight, therapeutic touch to those whom other means of touch might cause discomfort. It does not interfere with the use of any other therapies or medications. It does not contradict any spiritual practices of the individual, no matter what the faith. It is not ‘magic’ or ‘voodoo doctoring;’ like therapeutic massage, acupressure, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation, it facilitates the body’s own ability to heal.
There are many testimonials from those who found Reiki healing in the face of such conditions as Chronic Fatigue, Insomnia, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, PTSD, Parkinson’s, Autism, and other life-disturbing and uncomfortable conditions. Those who are recovering from illness or surgery find it helpful. Nowadays, many hold concerns for Western medicine treatments involving medications with side-effects and so they try Reiki as a means to avoid or minimize medication. [A doctor should be consulted if dis-continuing or avoiding medications.]
What it feels like: Reiki is a clothes-on practice, so with comfortable clothing, shoes off, a recipient reclines on a massage table (or sits in a massage chair, or regular chair, whatever is more comfortable) to receive the hand techniques on all sides of the body. People find this highly relaxing and often fall asleep or fall into a daydream type state. Nothing about Reiki should cause pain or distress. The session can last from 20 to 45 minutes, there is no ideal time, except receipt of all the hand positions. Ideally the space is warm, quiet and soft music may be played to enhance relaxation. I use music developed by professional music therapists which is composed to vibrationally enhance healing, in concert with the Reiki.
The practitioner should be welcoming and unhurried, as you are gently provided every comfort on the massage table, such a pillow, bolsters, and blankets if needed. The protocol begins with the head, where several gentle hand positions are provided around the head, face, and neck. The practice moves slowly down the body, attending to ‘energy centers’ and joints with the same gentle attitude. You may be encouraged to breathe deeply a few times, relax deeply, and focus on your own positive wellness, other than worries, resentments, or list making. You may talk during the session, if you desire – and always communicate any discomfort immediately. Once the practitioner arrives at the feet, giving gentle attention to the important energy which resides there, it is time to turn over and have the same treatment to your back. If the massage table has a ‘hole’ for your face, it is used to help your back and neck remain aligned, but if this causes you discomfort, you may place your head as you desire. The process is repeated from head to toe. You may be in such a relaxed state you might not be aware that the practitioner may bow to you, stretch her own arms in a self-cleansing manner, and wait quietly for you to come-back to awareness. When you do, you may need to stretch, have a drink of water; and most report the sense of having a longer nap and well-being. Afterward, if you wish to ‘verbally process’ the session experience momentarily, the practitioner should be accepting of this need. Payment and rescheduling occurs after this. Your practitioner should be minimally available in the ensuing time after treatment, by phone, email, or text, in case you have concerns. That is the customary Reiki experience, however, variations exist and accommodations to the client are acceptable.
Reiki does not necessarily bring a ‘magical,’ new presence into the recipient’s worldview, but is most effective as an enhancement, an empowering force, to the idea of self-healing, getting in touch with one’s own natural healing/relaxation forces. Many multi-talented people perform Reiki, such as doctors, nurses, massage therapists, psychotherapists, social workers, hospice workers, and religious persons, such a nuns, ministers, and lay-ministers. It is as wonderful antidote to run-of-the-mill life stress as it is to those with life-threatening illnesses and disturbing pain. It is accessible to you via practitioners and a master can teach you in a few sessions how to do it on yourself…. and eventually, others who need it.
If this article has not answered all of your questions regarding the therapeutic art of Reiki, please feel free to contact me via my website www.tinkerpsychotherapy.com. There are more articles there, and my email address. If you live in Eastern PA and would like to schedule a Reiki session for you or a loved one, it is possible via the website or gailelainetinker@yahoo.com. If you would like a lecture/demonstration or to schedule a group workshop to learn Reiki, I am available to schedule, no matter your location.
Gail-Elaine Tinker, M.S. is a Psychotherapist/ Life Coach/ Reiki Master in private practice in the Lehigh Valley, PA. She has a general practice of clinical psychology, but specializes in grief, trauma, addiction, chronic pain, and adult autism. She provides support groups for grief, pain, adult autism, and family caretakers. If you would like to contact her directly, you may do so during est business hours, at 610-216-4319.
