Reiki
By Milly Cain
I work in a Natural Health Centre where I have a well established
practice as a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner.
It has been my experience during the last ten years especially
that more and more people are willing to seek out a healing
technique that will help them to balance mind, body and
spirit.
A client was referred to me by a local GP practice. Mr.
W. was 65 years old at the time of referral. He had been
a Bank Manager for many years and had a very stressful job.
He was forced to retire when he was 56 years of age after
a period of poor health. He had suffered a variety of symptoms.
He was not digesting his food well and was always feeling
bloated and never hungry. He lost his appetite completely
and a Hernia was diagnosed.
When he came to me I was asked if I could help him with
relaxation after a painful bout of shingles.I assessed him
and took note of what seemed to me to be intense anxiety.
His breathing was very rapid and his colouring quite high.
He said he was permanently uncomfortable and could not lie
on his stomach. At this point I discussed treatment with
him. Usually people will expect to have some form of massage
with advice for nutritional or lifestyle changes as this
has been my main work for many years. In his case I felt
it was appropriate to offer Reiki. During his assessment
it became clear to me that he had very little experience
of any Complementary Medicine, least of all a healing art.
So I gave him a little pamphlet to read explaining the origins
of Reiki and describing a treatment and I prepared the treatment
space. I offered him the choice of treatment. After only
a few minutes he said he would like a Reiki treatment though
he didn't know why or if in fact it would help him. He displayed
a healthy scepticism!
I started with the usual hand positions placed on the head
and worked down the torso in sequence. After about ten minutes
I noticed that he had relaxed and was breathing much more
slowly and seemed to be drifting of to sleep. After 45 minutes
it was time to ask him if he would like to turn over and
lie on his front for the treatment of the back. He was not
happy about lying on his front but wanted to try. Within
5 minutes ,lying on his front , he once again had relaxed
and his breathing was calm.
When we finished the treatment, which lasted about 1 hour
and 15 minutes, he thanked me and said it was very relaxing
.No discussion ensued he was very matter of fact and said
he would be in touch. He telephoned me the next day and
said he felt 'rather good' and could he try ' this Reiki'
again.
I suggested he have a four day treatment I.e. a treatment
each day for four consecutive days. He agreed.
He called me about a month after these treatments to say
that he had been pain-free for the past month and was enjoying
his food for the first time in years! His blood pressure
had also stabilised.
My feeling is that Reiki helped to relieve the anxiety
which had been a feature of this mans life for so long that
it had begun to seriously affect his health.
His Doctor was delighted with his improvement and has supported
him to continue with his exploration of the Natural Health
approach.
He continues to come to the Natural Health Centre for what
he refers to as an M.O.T. Reiki treatment.
About the Author
Milly Cain, Reiki Practitioner and currently serving on
the Reiki Association Council.
I work in a Natural Health Centre where I have a well established
practice as a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner.
It has been my experience during the last ten years especially
that more and more people are willing to seek out a healing
technique that will help them to balance mind,body and spirit.
I can be contacted through The
Reiki Association.
Tel: 01584 891 197
Email: reikiassociation_admin@compuserve.com
Website: www.reikiassociation.org.uk
