Channeling Positive Energy for Better Health
By Irene Lebbad, MSW, LCSW
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing art that has been practiced for over 2,500 years. It is considered a complementary therapy approach meant to support conventional medicine, not replace it.
The basis of Reiki involves the principle that everything in the universe consists of life force energy that flows around and through living beings. Reiki proposes that disruption to this energy may cause physical or emotional health problems. A Reiki practitioner who has been intensively trained in this healing art seeks to restore the balance of the energy flow to a person by using gentle hand movements over the patient’s clothed body to guide the flow of healthy energy to the recipient. This technique stimulates the body’s natural healing ability.
A typical Reiki session lasts about 30-60 minutes. During the session, the recipient can sit or lie down fully clothed. With the person’s consent, the practitioner gently places his or her hands on or just above the clothed person targeting the head along with the person’s main energy centers in the body. The focus is on healing through the spirit and mind-body connection rather than a cure or treatment of specific conditions or diseases. The technique of Reiki responds uniquely to each individual based on his or her own specific imbalances.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the Reiki belief system and that of the practitioner is that they don’t cause the healing, nor are they the source of the healing energy. They are simply acting as an open channel for energy – similar to the way a garden hose acts as a channel for water.
The Reiki practitioner also understands that energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury, sickness, or emotional pain. In time, these energy blocks can cause illness and discomfort. An energy medicine like Reiki aims to help the flow of positive energy and remove blockages. It is similar to acupuncture, except practitioners use their hands to clear the meridians. Improving the flow of energy around the body can enable relaxation, reduce stress, relieve pain, and reduce other symptoms of illness. It has been known to also relieve tension and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and elicit a feeling of calm and well-being.
Reiki holds an important place as an energy medicine practice in the same way as meditation is a spiritual practice. It involves a philosophy of mind-body-spirit unity and the energy connection of all living things. It helps us to live in the moment and honor those connections.
Here at The Center for Intrapersonal Wellness, Reiki Master Dr. Jennifer Miller is an integral part of our mind-body-spirit philosophy of healing. You can experience a Reiki session by contacting Dr. Miller at iamjennifermillernj@gmail.com or call 908-334-5044.
Irene C. Lebbad, MSW, LCSW
The Center for Intrapersonal Wellness, LLC
2 North Rd, Ste 3
Warren NJ 07059
