Reiki for Anxiety and Trauma

Reiki is a wonderful healing modality that works exceptionally well with anxiety and trauma. These challenging experiences can create havoc within your mind and body. I have successfully used Reiki with my clients countless times. Since this is such a common theme among my clients, I figure I can share my research and experience as a Reiki healer and the experiences often witnessed from my clients during their healing journeys. I will talk about:

• What occurs in our bodies to produce the stress response

• How relaxation produces feelings of safety and promotes healing in traumatized individuals.

Anxiety is a symptom of the stress response known as the fight or flight mode. It is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived threat or stressor. For example, harmful events, attacks, or threats to survival—even from those we love—trigger distress signals from our brains to our bodies. This initiates a reaction where people may feel increased heartbeats, tingling in their arms and legs, numbness, lack of focus, dizziness, panic, heaviness, increased breathing rate, indigestion, chronic immune inflammation, or even reproductive function disturbances (as the body prioritizes immediate survival over long-term activities like procreation).

So what exactly happens during fight or flight mode?

• Breathing rate increases to supply more oxygen to the bloodstream, enhancing overall alertness and physical performance.

• Changes in the cardiovascular system result from adrenaline increasing the heart rate and redirecting blood to the muscles and vital organs. This means non-essential systems such as the digestive, immune, and reproductive systems are constricted (unbalanced). Constantly experiencing this mode can cause digestive disorders, infertility, vulnerability to infection, brain fog, and sleep disorders as an attempt to save energy for fight or flight.

Reiki as a Relaxation Technique

Our bodies are truly incredible living machines that possess the ability to heal themselves. But! Only if we intentionally provide space to relax and detach from the fight and flight mode. Upon full relaxation, the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol will dial down, allowing healing to commence.

How does Reiki support individuals with anxiety and trauma?

Reiki can produce feelings of safety and promote healing. My clients often share their experiences, and what stands out is they were able to have a good sleep that felt like 2-3 hours equivalent, or any inflammation (discomforting parts of their body or organs) reduced further during Reiki treatment. This is because by providing a safe space for clients, they enter into a parasympathetic mode; meaning the body is no longer stressed and in a more balanced state. This state of being and our collaborative approach to healing also enables the divine to come in and intelligently guide my hands to chakra points needing attention. Oftentimes, a Reiki treatment begins to unblock rumination, release intense responses and anxiety and help clients distance themselves from any hurtful past emotional energies. 

Sounds amazing isn't it? A reminder, what works well for one person might not work well with another. When you come to me, you may have differing experiences but oftentimes the results are apparent the rest of the week. My approach to Reiki is collaborative as we discover what works best for you. Prayers and positive intentions are sent to my clients one day before their appointments. In my session, I will play music intuitively picked based on my meditative connection with my clients. At the end of the session, I ground my clients by placing my hands on their ankles, getting them ready for the world. I recommend several Reiki sessions for anyone suffering trauma or anxiety as it will support them in regaining control over their beliefs, values, diseases, and spirits.