Wellness
Discovering Relief:
My glimpse into Reiki Healing
BY AMALITA BAUM
As a sufferer of chronic health issues, Amalita Baum has spent years trying to find a cure for her painful and often debilitating symptoms. Weary after countless visits to GPs and Specialists in Western Medicine with varying diagnoses but little relief, she turned to alternative therapies. We join her on her health journey as she shares her experiences with alternative medicine. First in the series, Amalita delves into the mystical world of Reiki - promising healing through the channeling of universal energy.
Originating in Japan, Reiki is a form of energy healing that revolves around the transfer of 'universal energy' from practitioner to patient, with the intention of promoting emotional and physical well-being. As someone who has always approached alternative therapies with a healthy dose of skepticism, I was initially a little wary. Could something so esoteric truly offer relief from the chronic pain that had plagued me for years?
Approaching my first Reiki session, I checked the lay of the land with the practitioner - How does a session usually go? Do I have to take my clothes off? (not a big fan honestly!) Was it like a massage? The practitioner immediately made me feel at ease with her responses - this is a completely non-intrusive therapy, hands gently and strategically placed to stimulate my body’s healing potential, fully clothed in a safe and calm environment. ‘Well, even if it doesn’t work, that sounds like a nice way to spend an hour!’ I thought. With doubts put at bay and a glimmer of hope, I stepped into the unknown ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.
I opted for 1 hour of Reiki Healing priced at 70€. As I lay down on the treatment table, enveloped in a sense of anticipation, the Reiki practitioner began the session. As she placed her hands on me I felt a rush of emotion difficult to express, my eyes welled with tears and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh, a huge sense of release washed over me. I began to feel a warmth radiating from her touch, a sensation that seemed to penetrate deep into the recesses of my body.
During the session, I experienced a profound sense of calm washing over me — a feeling that no matter what, everything was going to be okay. As a chronic health sufferer, anxiety is a constant and unwelcome companion, so that feeling of total serenity is something I rarely experience and almost wish I would bottle. With each passing moment it was as if the weight of my pain began to dissipate, replaced by ease and tranquility. As the session drew to a close, I felt a subtle yet undeniable shift in my physical state and above all a strong sense of lightness and relief.
In the days following my session I couldn't help but marvel at the profound impact it had on my well-being. I noticed right away a newfound sense of vigour and vitality - I felt more like my ‘old self’ than I had done in years. Although I found no miracle cure (nor was I expecting one), the improvement to my range of physical movement and pain level was remarkable and impossible to ignore.
Whilst skeptics may dismiss Reiki as mere quackery, my experience spoke volumes of its potential to offer relief to those in need. Though the science behind Reiki may remain shrouded in mystery, I found its ability to provide relief from chronic pain undeniable. As I continue on my healing journey, I am grateful for the opportunity to explore alternative therapies like Reiki—a beacon of hope in a sea of uncertainty. I’ve already booked my next session, hopeful more transformations for the better are to come.