As we get older, our bodies struggle with everyday tasks and life isn’t always as good as we’d like it to be. Aches and pains in joints and muscles, slow-healing cuts, and ugly bruises take away from the enjoyment of our older years to varying degrees. Although it doesn’t have to be that way. With regular Reiki treatments, these annoying discomforts can be reduced, minimized, and in many cases alleviated completely.

People all over the world, young and old, have benefited from Reiki in relieving stress, painful injuries, relieving the ravages of disease, and alleviating physical, emotional, and mental conditions. Unfortunately, not all older people are aware of how much Reiki can help them.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle and practical ancient therapy that connects us to the universal life force energy that science confirms surrounds all people and all other living things. A Reiki practitioner is not a healer per se, but is trained to channel this energy to those who need it through the use of their hands.

Most of the elderly people depend solely on traditional medicine. Reiki is not an alternative to this medication. It works with doctors and other health care providers as a complementary treatment. Reiki is loving, gentle and practical. It is specifically designed to reduce stress and remove energy blockages from the system. We are, after all, primarily energy and, like other systems, we sometimes ‘cover up’. Reiki calls this ‘energy block’, preventing the normal flow of energy in and out of our bodies.

Practical healing with Reiki

Increasingly, people of all ages are experiencing and benefiting from Reiki touch (or no touch, as Reiki is just as effective with the practitioner’s hands a few inches above the body as if they were placed directly on top of the body). Often it takes just one session to start to feel a difference. Even people who have undergone major surgery or chemotherapy often experience reduced recovery time and pain relief after Reiki therapy. Because Reiki is just as effective, people who are sensitive to the touch of others due to neurological or other disorders can also benefit from Reiki.

Reiki creates an atmosphere specifically designed to encourage relaxation through the use of soft music, lighting, and a comfortable environment. Older people find this especially attractive. Falling asleep during a session is quite normal and has no adverse effect on the result, in fact quite the opposite. If it helps to relax and accept the treatment, then by all means treat yourself to a nap.

Most older people who receive Reiki treatments often experience immediate relief from their symptoms. In others, it could take a few days to manifest. Just as medicine doesn’t work the same way for everyone, a small percentage of people indicate that they don’t see any change. However, many times, family and friends say they have noticed positive physical or mental differences.

Reiki works best when the person receiving the treatment believes in the benefits of energy healing. Understanding how Reiki works and believing in its healing power goes a long way towards accepting it and benefiting from the energy transfer that is channeled through the Reiki practitioner. Seniors can sometimes be skeptical about Reiki because it is a new age treatment rather than the traditional treatments they are used to. Because of this, a shorter session may be recommended to start with. This would be followed by further Reiki education through reading about how Reiki has helped others and then lead into a full treatment an hour later.

Reiki, Seniors and Daily Life

Most of the older people I know have stiff joints and muscles, aches and pains, poor circulation, and neurological disorders. Reiki can often soothe them and help older people enjoy their golden years a little more. Older people usually take Reiki quickly because it provides the relief they are looking for. It helps relieve pain and discomfort and gives them a better ability to use their joints and muscles without fear of pain… which in turn can help with situations as common as falls.

As I noted earlier, Reiki helps most people, especially the elderly, heal faster from surgery and injury. Do you remember when you were a kid and you got hurt? The first thing your mom did was put her hand on the injured area and she probably kissed it better too. That is Reiki!

Reiki treatment can also alleviate other common problems among older people: breathing problems, decreased energy levels and activity; Reiki can correct them and can usually bring about a generally rejuvenated mental capacity as well.

A common irritation for many seniors is dry, itchy skin. This can be due to several causes. Reiki can also help provide relief here.

Insomnia is another common complaint of older people that Reiki can treat. Reiki is so calming and relaxing that with a little training in Reiki self-healing, anyone who suffers from insomnia can learn how to get a good night’s sleep.

Too many seniors are unable to enjoy their retirement years due to health problems, whether physical, chronic ailments or mental conditions such as depression, memory loss and forgetfulness, Alzheimer’s or dementia. With Reiki care, older people have a much better chance to enjoy their lives more.

Dementia is a debilitating disease that robs people of their memories, and in advanced cases, they often don’t even recognize their own family. Sad! But very often, Reiki has the ability to reach these dementia sufferers through the gentle treatment of dementia.

A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) reported that Reiki has the ability to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which affect older people with dementia. In fact, Reiki is making such wonderful advances in the world of Western medicine that it is now available in the US through some 900 hospitals.

Reiki improves the quality of life of the elderly

Older people often have to constantly deal with memory loss, diminished ability to function normally; muscle, joint and chronic pain, disabilities, uncomfortable and embarrassing disorders such as incontinence or the ability to do things for themselves; continuous medical visits, morning and evening medications and so many other things that prevent you from enjoying what is supposed to be your happy retirement years. Thank goodness Reiki is available to help ease those pains and bring some relaxation and enjoyment to the lives of our seniors. Reiki can really make a difference by decreasing your level of pain, suffering and disease while increasing energy flow and in turn your ability to function better; bring enjoyment back to their lives and generally improve their health, safety and well-being.

Reiki as a pain reliever

In a research study conducted by the US government, it was concluded that Reiki can help reduce pain and the need for pain relievers in people undergoing a medical procedure.

Reiki as a complement to traditional medicine

Reiki is not a substitute for traditional medicine and medical care. It acts as a complementary therapy and works with doctors and other health care providers. It has been shown to have beneficial effects on patients, speeding up the healing process and returning the patient to full health faster. Sometimes Reiki even works when other types of treatment don’t.

Reiki and the main illnesses

Reiki is also proving helpful in relieving pain for people with major illnesses such as heart surgery and cancer. Chemotherapy patients often experience reduced pain levels when Reiki therapy is added to their normal recovery routine.

The benefits of Reiki therapy for people in general, especially the elderly, are being recognized throughout the medical profession. As noted above, Reiki therapy is now available in 900 hospitals in the US and is growing rapidly as more and more people begin to understand how valuable Reiki can be in the treatment of most illnesses and conditions. ailments. Because? Because Reiki has proven to be an excellent complement or adjunct to traditional medical treatment. Reiki works, and it can work for you!