Treat yourself to total health
Published Thursday November 27th, 2008
There are lots of things that fall under the umbrella of 'healthy habits' besides nutrition -- things like exercise, play, rest, fresh air as well as emotional, sexual, psycho-social and spiritual health.
All of these things can contribute to (or take away from) optimum health in our daily lives. Consider spiritual balance, for example, which can be achieved in many ways.
Some people achieve it through their religious beliefs and prayer. Others find it through connecting with nature or through meditation. Still others find it through various complementary modalities such as Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, Relexology and Reiki (pronounced ray-key). And, many find it through enjoying a mixture of the above. Whatever we choose to do, each one of us needs to find spiritual balance in our lives. Since I practice the gentle art of Reiki, I would like to share with you this week a little bit about what Reiki is and some of its many benefits.
Reiki is Japanese in origin and spiritual in nature. Simply put, Reiki translates to 'universal energy.' It refers to the universal field of invisible energy that surrounds us. It is not affiliated with any religion, which makes it accessible to everyone -- regardless of their cultural background or religious beliefs. The goal of Reiki is to help restore balance. It is practiced through using a series of hand positions which are placed lightly on the body. These gentle touches (along with some sacred symbols) channel the flow of energy (invisible to the naked eye, but sometimes tangible to the trained touch), restore balance, and create a sense of well-being.
Reiki is known as a 'healing' modality. However, in this context 'healing' can (and more frequently does) happen on levels besides the physical (e.g., emotional, spiritual, psycho-social). If it sounds a little subjective, it is -- because everyone will experience it differently. How often Reiki is needed by an individual depends on what problem(s) or issue(s) the person has. For some, that may be weekly or monthly (until the problem or issue abates). In palliative situations with people who are dying, daily sessions may be the most beneficial to help with relaxation and to quell anxiety. In all situations it can be a 'comfort care' measure at the very least and, at most, it can actually have quite profoundly positive effects on the person receiving it.
The good news is that we do not need to believe in it for it to work. Often, any healthy skepticism is quickly diminished once Reiki has been experienced for the first time. In fact, some of the most rewarding cases I've seen have involved people who were skeptical about Reiki at first! Furthermore, we no longer need to depend solely on anecdotal evidence (of which there is plenty) as a testimony to its efficacy. More and more research studies are being conducted on Reiki (and other complementary therapies) and many of these studies are not just merely observational in nature. More and more randomized controlled studies are being done, many of which are yielding some very interesting and convincing results.
Naturally, it is virtually impossible (at this time anyway) to actually measure 'Reiki' per se. We are, after all, talking about an invisible energy field. However, that said, it is completely possible to measure some of the physiological effects that Reiki has on the body. For example, one study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine found significant positive physiological changes (Wardell & Engebretson, 2001). In this study, the participants' systolic blood pressure dropped significantly as did their anxiety levels during Reiki sessions.
The other 'marked' improvement involved the immune system, which was measured by increased salivary IgA ( the antibody secreted in our saliva that protects us from infection). Another randomized study found that participants receiving Reiki had reduced heart rates and diastolic blood pressure compared with participants in the control group (who received 'sham' Reiki). There have also been studies showing pre and post operative pain reduction and reduced anxiety in women having hysterectomies. People with depression have also been helped according to Adina Goldman Shore's published doctoral research. And, according to Pamela Miles, cancer patients receiving Reiki experienced improved quality of life compared to those who just rested.
When it comes to complementary alternative medicine (CAM), of which Reiki is just one of many modalities, the medical world is just beginning to acknowledge and appreciate (and, in some cases, embrace) some of the benefits of these therapies. Indeed, some doctors actively encourage their patients to try some of the more gentle, non-invasive CAM practices like Reiki and Therapeutic Touch (which was developed by a nurse). Even skeptics can't fail to notice how their patients are reaping the benefits.
More and more physicians are getting trained in the art of these therapies themselves (e.g., Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiac surgeon, and Dr. Christianne Northrop -- author of many women's health related books -- to name just two).
CAM is becoming part of a new kind of medicine called 'integrative medicine.' Some medical schools have even started to teach this holistic approach. It is an approach where conventional medicine, traditional medicine, nutrition and CAM may all be utilized by the medical or naturopathic doctor. Ultimately, the goal is to use whatever approach will work in the best interest of the patient and their individual needs. In other words, it is 'patient and well-ness focused.'
It focuses not only on curing the disease, but also on giving patients the tools to guide them towards general well-being. It is also about teaching them how to maintain wellness through embracing healthy lifestyle practices.
As more research is done in the world of CAM, the time will come when the hard-evidence will speak for itself and people will no longer be able to deny the benefits of the complementary approaches to medicine.
Furthermore, the day is coming when integrative medicine will be the norm. This is something we can all get excited about. When 'health care' is truly about caring for our 'health' (rather than focusing on disease symptoms and management), each person will be treated'holistically.
In other words, instead of using a general 'protocol' to treat a specific disease, we will have our unique differences accounted for and treatment will be adjusted accordingly. This will automatically take into account the health of our psycho-social, emotional and spiritual selves at the time of treatment.
The integrative approach holds promise that these additional aspects of health will be honoured and acknowledged as being just as important to our recovery process as treating the physical symptoms. This will eventually herald in a healthier nation -- one that we can all look forward.
In the meantime, if you haven't tried it already, treat yourself to a Reiki session. In good health -- until next time.
n Healthy habits, written by Natural Nutritional Consultant (and Reiki) Practitioner Jane Claxton-Oldfield, who works out of The Pear Tree Naturopathic Clinic in Sackville, appears every second Thursday on Health Page. If you have a topic suggestion for a future column, please e-mail Jane at holistic@nbnet.nb.ca. Please note: nutritional information is not intended as a substitute for your medical or naturopathic doctor. For health concerns see your healthcare practitioner.
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