Reiki Can Help Stress Regardless of Belief

Reiki can help stress, regardless of belief

Senior Lookout
Anne Springer

Published: December 17, 2008 05:35 am

Reiki is a Japanese complementary therapy that was developed in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui of Japan. Considered a spiritual practice, it has also been touted as a healing modality, although clinical trials completed in 2008 have not supported the hypothesis that it can heal or improve any condition.

Practitioners claim that all of us have a life force that flows through pathways (charkas, meridians, and nadis) and around us (aura). This life force can be disrupted, and causes our organs and tissues to suffer. Presumably, when the flow is resumed, and positive energy replaces the negative, we can be healed. Even those who are not convinced that this is so, claim that Reiki is a wonderful stress reducer.

Whichever you believe, healing modality or quackery, at least Reiki is unlikely to do anyone any harm, and may be worth the effort to limit all those stress hormones circulating in our bodies.

Anyone can learn Reiki, and it is not difficult. Locally, Reiki sessions and classes are offered at Dream Time Wellness at the Manchester Healing Arts Center in Manchester. Owner Karen Pischke, RN, BSN, CH, RMT, does not limit her services just to people. Dream Time Wellness will help members of other species as well, including dogs, cats, and even horses. The number is 978-283-4258.

Beginning in January, Judy Armelin, RMT, will be offering Reiki sessions in Gloucester. She can be reached at 978-270-6026.

Those interested in Reiki as a profession may be interested in the "Wellness and the Healing Arts" certificate program at North Shore Community College. Included within the program are Reiki 1 and 2 (traditional Usui method), as well as other courses such as Understanding Nutrition, Herbal Pharmacology, and Yoga.

For those who work or spend time "over the bridge" and wish to attend classes a bit further south, Reiki classes are also held at the Lifestyle Management Institute, located at Beverly Hospital's Danvers Medical and Day Surgery Center, 480 Maple St., Danvers. Those interested can call 978-304-8415 for fees or class availability.

People can debate whether Reiki techniques work to heal anything or not, but in today's hectic world, anything that lets us take a few moments to ourselves for relaxation and self care is probably worth it.

Anne Springer is the public relations director of SeniorCare, Inc.