Chronic Pain: Getting Unstuck with Reiki
Before I had even heard of energy healing modalities like Reiki, I had a lot of physical and mental symptoms that seemed resistant to remedies that appeared to work well for other people. My most significant physical symptom was chronic pain in my back and neck. The pain would be reduced following yoga class, but it came right back within a few hours. I frequently felt anxiety and fatigue because of the overwhelming tension in my body, which barely responded to massages or heat. At one time, running had been a great way to help me feel better, but following a particularly stressful period of work and life, it somehow lost its power to make me feel good.
Numerous other things that I tried brought some relief, but it was incomplete and frustrating. It was a long and winding path that finally led me to Reiki and energy healing techniques, but I’ll skip to the punch line: my symptoms weren’t improving because past stress and fear had not only taken a toll on my physical body, they had built up a lot of energetic “junk” in my energy system. Things were stuck. It took the direct approach of Reiki energy healing to finally cleanse my system and get all the pieces of the healing puzzle to start falling into place.
What is Reiki?
You care for your physical body. You care for your mental health. What about your energy system? Reiki energy healing can make a difference.
Reiki (pronounced RAY-key) is a touch therapy that channels life force energy -known as qi in Chinese or ki in Japanese - to the receiver. Just as your physical body has a circulatory system that carries blood throughout the body, you have an energy system that takes in and circulates this vital life force energy.
Blocks in your energy system occur because of fear, trauma or injury. Mental, emotional and physical injuries and scars cause a corresponding disruption to the flow of qi. If those blocks aren’t removed and the flow of qi isn’t restored, then physical pain, illness, and mental and emotional distress may continue, even after the circumstances that caused them have passed. Restoring the flow of qi promotes relaxation and balance that can help the other aspects of your being recover and heal more effectively.
Reiki is a way of directly impacting the intake and flow of life force energy, although it is not the only one. For instance, the purpose of yoga (besides physical exercise) is to increase one’s qi, which is known as prana in Sanskrit. This is one of the reasons that yoga is a healing and therapeutic practice for many people. Acupuncture, while different than Reiki, works on a similar principle. If you think of the pathways of energy flowing in your body as rivers, acupuncture is like a way to dismantle those stuck places that are blocking the flow. Reiki, on the other hand, is more like sending a rush of water through and allowing it to flow wherever it is needed. It’s a little less precise, but the effect can be profound.
Reiki Makes the Good Better, Too
When I tell people my story about finding Reiki, I tend to focus on how the bad things got better. But even if you’re not dealing with injuries, illness or acute stress, you can benefit from Reiki. Athletes often report a shorter workout recovery time and that they feel stronger following Reiki sessions. You may have the sense that something is missing in your routine or sense of wellbeing but you're not sure where to look. You too, may feel you're stuck in some part of your healing and growth. The sense of relaxation and focus that most people experience through Reiki is good for every aspect of life, whether it's career, relationships, creativity, sleep quality, or just your general ability to feel good and enjoy what comes. Reiki energy healing complements self care practices and supports healing in the deepest sense.