Addiction treatment can look different for everyone, and reiki therapy can greatly supplement an existing recovery plan. Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan and has since become a popular natural healing method. But how does it work when it comes to addiction treatment?
Things to Know About Reiki
Reiki practice involves transferring universal energy from a practitioner’s palms to a patient. The term combines rei, which means soul or spirit, and ki, which means vital energy. Together, the word Reiki means “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign.”
It is believed that energy healing can target the energy fields surrounding your body, and professional Reiki practitioners believe that energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical or emotional pain.
Over time, these energy blocks can cause pain and illness, and Reiki therapy helps to remove these blocks and heal the body. A Reiki practitioner will tell you that when you get your energy moving again, you can expect to feel more relaxed, feel less pain, and decrease your illness symptoms.
Though coined in 1922 by Mikao Usui, Reiki has been around for thousands of years. Reiki therapy is also known as palm healing and hands-on healing.
The Benefits of Reiki Healing
People who are interested in Reiki therapy can enjoy various mental benefits. These can include the following:
- A calmer mind.
- Creativity boosts.
- Better memory.
- Improved personal awareness.
- Relief from traumatic experiences.
- Decreased depression and anxiety treatments.
These benefits are great on their own, but they’re especially helpful to someone who may be dealing with substance and alcohol abuse. An individual who can use Reiki therapy to deal with complex emotions and low self-esteem, for example, may find it easier to focus on their recovery plan.
There have even been people who have reported feeling more connected with themselves after a therapy session; this is crucial in developing the confidence it takes to break down barriers stopping you from fully experiencing your recovery.
What to Expect During a Reiki Therapy Session
Every Reiki session will be different, but there are some common things you can expect.
Reiki sessions will always take place in a quiet environment. The quiet helps the practitioner and the patient tap into their life force energies. In some instances, a practitioner may play soft, ambient music.
Reiki sessions vary in duration, with the average minimum being 20 minutes and the average maximum being 90 minutes. Some sessions may fall anywhere in between those times.
You can expect an interview or meeting with the reiki practitioner. This meeting will allow the practitioner to understand your needs for an effective and enjoyable session.
As the patient, you’ll want to wear comfortable clothes. Depending on the place, you’ll either sit in a chair or lie flat on a massage table.
At the start of the Reiki session, the practitioner may begin by lightly touching your head, face, and torso. All touching involved in a Reiki session is non-invasive and comfortable for you.
Here are some tips you can follow before the session begins to ensure a pleasant experience:
- Communicate your needs to the practitioner.
- If you’re unsure about being touched, ask the practitioner to tell you where they will place their hands so you know what to expect.
- Request specific music if it helps; just make sure it’s relaxing. Alternatively, if the practitioner will play music and you want silence, inform them.
- Use the restroom beforehand so you can enjoy your session without interruptions.
Knowing what to expect from a session and following some of these tips is the best way to ensure that your Reiki therapy goes smoothly. A successful Reiki session can go a long way in helping you stick to your recovery plan.
How to Use Reiki Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Reiki therapy in addiction treatment is often used as a complementary health approach to an existing plan.
Reiki therapy fills out a current treatment plan that may contain the following therapies:
- Holistic and medication-assisted detox.
- Dual diagnosis treatment.
- Inpatient rehab.
- IV amino acid therapy.
- Hyperbaric oxygen chambers.
- Individual and group therapy.
- CBT and DBT behavioral therapy.
- Other wellness activities like yoga.
It’s essential to recognize that Reiki therapy can not supplement a standard, medically-based approach for addiction recovery and mental health disorders.
However, when used in conjunction, Reiki can help an individual relax physically and mentally, allowing them to think clearly and approach their recovery in a different, more effective way.
Reiki Therapy and Withdrawal Symptoms
Reiki therapy can be helpful for people suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawals are part of the detoxification process, but if they get too bad, a relapse is a very real possibility.
Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms an individual may experience include the following:
- Bone and muscle aches
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cravings
- Extreme mood swings
- Shaking
- Sleep problems such as insomnia or hypersomnia
Because of Reiki’s calm nature, individuals undergoing the detoxification process may feel relaxed, safe, and at peace, making it easier to ignore withdrawal symptoms.
Feelings of anger, anxiety, and physical pain can cause someone to begin abusing again, but Reiki can help eliminate this possibility.
Get the Treatment You Need at Ardu Recovery Center
Addiction can be hard to fight; it takes the right plan, tools, and support system to get through it. Whether you’re going for a traditional substance abuse program or you want to implement Reiki therapy into your recovery process, get in touch with us at Ardu Recovery Center.
Our facilities in Provo, Utah, offer life-changing treatment options in a natural and encouraging environment. We offer a variety of detox programs and addiction treatment services to ensure we encompass everyone’s recovery preferences.
Seeking treatment is the first step in any recovery process, and we want to help make it easier for you. Call us at 801-512-0086 or fill out our consultation form today to get started on your journey to recovery.
