As we get older, our bodies struggle with everyday chores and life is not always as good as we would like it to be. Aches and pains in our joints and muscles, slow-healing cuts and ugly bruises detract in varying degrees from enjoyment of our senior years. It doesn’t have to be that way though. With regular Reiki treatments, these annoying, bothersome discomforts can be reduced, minimized and in many cases alleviated altogether.
People all around the world, young and old, have benefited from Reiki in the relief of stress, painful injuries, easing of the ravages of diseases as well as physical, emotional and mental conditions. Unfortunately, not all seniors are aware of how much Reiki can help them.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a gentle, hands-on ancient therapy that connects us to the universal life force energy that science confirms surrounds every person and every other living thing. A Reiki practitioner is not a healer per se, but is trained to be able to channel this energy to those in need through the use of his or her hands.
Most seniors rely solely on traditional medicine. Reiki is not an alternative to this medicine. It works with doctors and other healthcare providers as a supplementary treatment. Reiki is loving, gentle and hands-on. It is specifically designed to reduce stress and remove energy blockages from one’s system. We are, after all, mostly energy and like other systems, sometimes we ‘bung up’. Reiki calls that ‘energy blockage’, preventing the normal flow of energy into and out of our bodies.
Hands-on Healing with Reiki
More and more, people of all ages are experiencing and benefiting from the Reiki touch (or non-touch as Reiki is just as effective with the practitioner’s hands a few inches above the body as placed directly on it). It often takes as little as one session to begin to feel the difference. Even people who have undergone major surgery or chemotherapy, often experience a shortening of recovery time and easing of pain after Reiki therapy. Because Reiki is just as effective hands-off, people who are sensitive to the touch by others due to neurological or other disorders, can also benefit from Reiki.
Reiki creates an atmosphere specifically designed to encourage relaxation through the use of soft music, lighting and a comfortable environment. Seniors especially find this appealing. Falling asleep during a session is quite normal and has no adverse effect on the outcome, in fact, quite the opposite. If it helps to relax and accept the treatment, then by all means, enjoy some nap time.
Most seniors who receive Reiki treatments, often experience an immediate relief of their symptoms. In others, it could take a few days to manifest. Just as medicine does not work the same way for everyone, a small percentage of people indicate that they see no change. However, many times, family and friends say that they have noticed positive physical or mental differences.
Reiki works best when the individual having the treatment believes in the benefits of energy healing. Understanding how Reiki works and believing in its healing power, goes a long way towards accepting it and benefiting from the transfer of energy being channeled through the Reiki practitioner. Seniors can sometimes be skeptical about Reiki because it is a new-age treatment rather than the traditional ones they are used to. Because of this, a shorter session might be recommended to begin with. This would be followed up with further Reiki education through reading how Reiki has helped others and then leading to a full one-hour treatment later.
Reiki, Seniors and Everyday Life
Most seniors I know have stiffness in their joints and muscles, aches, pains, circulation problems and neurological disorders. Reiki can often relieve these and help seniors to enjoy their golden years a little more. Senior-aged folks generally take to Reiki quickly because it provides the relief they are looking for. It helps to ease their pain and discomfort and give them better ability to use their joints and muscles without fear of pain… which in turn can help with such common occurrences as falls.
As I noted above, Reiki helps most people, especially seniors, to heal faster from surgery and injury. Remember when you were a child and got hurt? The first thing your mom did was she put her hand on the hurt area and she probably kissed it better as well. That is Reiki!
Reiki treatment can also ease other problems common among senior citizens: respiratory problems, decreased energy and activity levels; Reiki can correct these and can usually also bring generally rejuvenated mental ability.
A common irritation for many seniors is dry, itchy skin. This can be from a number of causes. Reiki can help to provide relief here, too.
Insomnia is another common senior complaint that Reiki can deal with. Reiki is so soothing and relaxing that with some training in Reiki self-healing, anyone suffering from insomnia can be shown how to get a good night’s sleep every night.
Too many seniors are not able to enjoy their retirement years because of health problems whether physical, chronic ailments or mental conditions including depression, loss of memory and forgetfulness, Alzheimer’s or dementia. With Reiki care, seniors have a much better chance of increased enjoyment of their lives.
Dementia is a debilitating disease that robs people of their memories and in advanced cases they often do not even recognize their own family. Sad! But quite often, Reiki has the capability to reach these dementia sufferers through its gentle treatment.
A study by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) reported that Reiki has the ability to reduce stress, anxiety and depression – all of which affect seniors with dementia. In fact, Reiki is making such wonderful inroads in the world of Western medicine that it is now available in the USA through some 900 hospitals.
Reiki Improves the Quality of Life for Seniors
Seniors often have to deal constantly with loss of memory, lessened ability to function normally; muscle aches, joint and chronic pain, disabilities, uncomfortable and embarrassing disorders such as incontinence or the ability to do things for themselves; continual medical visits, morning and evening medications and so many other things that deter from the enjoyment of what is supposed to be their happy retirement years. Thank goodness that Reiki is available to help ease those pains and bring some relaxation and enjoyment to the lives of our senior citizens. Reiki really can make a difference by decreasing their level of pain, suffering and sicknesses while increasing the flow of energy and in turn their ability to function better; bring enjoyment back into their lives and generally improve their health, safety, and well being.
Reiki as a Pain Reliever
In a US government conducted research study, it was concluded that Reiki may help to reduce pain and the need for painkillers in people about to undergo a medical procedure.
Reiki as a Supplement to Traditional Medicine
Reiki does not replace traditional medicine and doctors’ care. It acts as a supplementary therapy and works with doctors and other healthcare providers. It has been shown to have beneficial effects on patients, speed up the healing process and return the patient to full health faster. At times, Reiki even works when other types of treatment do not.
Reiki and Major Diseases
Reiki is also proving to be helpful in providing pain relief to people with major diseases such as heart surgery and cancer. Chemotherapy patients often experience reduced pain levels when adding Reiki therapy in addition to their normal recovery routine.
The benefits of Reiki therapy to people in general, especially seniors, is being recognized throughout the medical profession. As noted above, Reiki therapy is now available in 900 hospitals in the USA and growing quickly as more and more people begin to understand how valuable Reiki can be in treating most diseases and ailments. Why? Because Reiki has proven itself to be an excellent adjunct or supplement to traditional medical treatment. Reiki works – and it can work for you!
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