When the immune system doesn’t function properly, so-called autoimmune diseases arise. As you know the immune system protects the body from invaders such as bacteria and invaders. However, when it overreacts to the extent that it doesn’t differentiate between external materials and the body’s own tissues and joints, different types of autoimmune diseases could occur.
Even though research regarding the effectiveness of Reiki on the immune system is lacking, there are many reports of cases in which patients reporting a reduction in symptoms after undergoing Reiki sessions. In this article, we will touch on three autoimmune diseases and how Reiki could help people with each disease.
Before that, let’s see what Reiki is as a complementary therapy and how it works.
Contents
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a non-invasive therapy originating from Japan. It is a hands-on energy healing technique in which the practitioner places his hands either directly on or hovers above the patient’s body. The belief is that the human body is an energy field in which energy can stagnate due to physical injury or possibly emotional pain. When energy blocks, the illness will arise. Reiki in short tries to clear these blocks and restore functions.
If you want to know more in detail about Reiki and what to expect during a Reiki session, read this article.
Please note that Reiki doesn’t replace medical treatment.
Lupus
In lupus, the body’s immune system attacks the tissues and organs. It could cause inflammation affecting the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
Symptoms
Lupus signs and symptoms vary from case to case. While some people may experience the symptoms permanently, others may see the symptoms suddenly disappear for a while. There are also cases in which the symptoms get worse for a while and then improve. Anyway, the most common symptoms are :
- A butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
- Chest pain
- Dry eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Fingers and toes turning white or blue during stressful periods or when exposed to cold
- Skin lesions that appear or become worse with sun exposure
- Joint pains, stiffness, and swelling
- Headaches, confusion, and memory loss
How Can Lupus Patients Benefit from Reiki?
As mentioned before, Reiki can also be performed without the therapist touching the patient. This is very important for lupus patients as pain from lupus can be very intense and even touching the body or skin is simply too painful.
Reiki can help with:
- Physical pain including aching, swelling of the joints, muscle pain, cramping, and burning
- Skin rashes and itching
- Fatigue, depression, and anxiety which are common for lupus patients
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
In MS, the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. In general, it starts in 1 of these 2 following ways: with individual relapses (attacks or exacerbations) or with gradual progression. (more than 8 out of every 10 people with MS are diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting type and just over 1 in 10 people with the condition experience gradually worsening of their symptoms.
Symptoms
Just like lupus, MS symptoms vary widely from person to person. Depending on which type of MS the person has the symptoms can come and go or steadily worsen over time. Anyway, the most common symptoms are :
- Problems with thinking, learning, and planning
- Muscle stiffness and spasms
- Difficulty in walking
- Fatigue
- Vision problems, such as blurred vision
- Problems with balance and coordination
- Bladder control problems
- Numbness or tingling in different body parts
How Can MS Patients Benefit from Reiki?
Although little scientific research has been done about the effectiveness of Reiki on MS symptoms, there are many reports of people claiming improvement in their MS symptoms even after undergoing one Reiki session.
Some of the potential benefits that Reiki could offer for MS patients are :
- Improving immune function
- Helping with the pain
- Reducing anxiety
- Improving mood and reducing depression
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness transmitted to humans via the bite of blacklegged ticks. The bacterium causing the illness is known as Borrelia burgdorferi. According to a new study, this bacterium alters the immune system, causing it to attack the healthy cells in the human body.
Symptoms
Lyme disease causes a variety of symptoms including :
- Fever
- Chills
- Memory problems
- Nerve pain
- Heart participation
- Joint pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Circular red skin rash around the tick bite
How Could Reiki Help Improve Lyme Disease Symptoms?
Some of the Reiki benefits for people with Lyme disease may include :
- Better sleep quality
- Lower stress levels
- Reduced pain
- Improved mood
It is worth mentioning that Reiki doesn’t kill the Lyme disease bacteria, however, it may help improve its symptoms.
Looking for an Experienced Reiki Therapist that Has Helped Many Patients with Lupus, MS, or Lyme Disease in Los Angeles?
Yrma Wilson is a certified Reiki master practitioner with more than 31 years of experience that has helped hundreds of men, women, and children over her career.
Rates: 45 min session – $100
1hr 15 min – $130
If you feel that before attending the Reiki session, you need to know more or want to consult about your condition with Yrma, you can book a 15 min free consultation to discuss your concerns with her.
Resources :
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (n.d.). What is an immune-mediated disease?.
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Definition-of-MS/Immune-mediated-disease
Newman, T. (2017, September 6). Everything you need to know about reiki. Medical News Today.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308772#what-happens-in-a-reiki-session
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REIKI PROFESSIONALS. (n.d.). Reiki May Help Improve Symtomps of Lyme Disease.
https://iarp.org/reiki-for-lyme-disease-2/
MAYO CLINIC. (2021, January 27). Lupus Symptoms and Causes.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789
Earthbound Holistics. (2019, February 11). HOW HEALING CAN HELP LUPUS SUFFERERS.
https://earthbound-holistics.com/2019/02/11/reiki-benefits-for-lupus/
Jackson, K. (2020, April 24). Reiki: What Can This Energy Therapy Do for Multiple Sclerosis? EVERYDAY HEALTH.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/multiple-sclerosis/treatment/reiki-what-can-this-energy-therapy-multiple-sclerosis/
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REIKI PROFESSIONALS. (n.d.). Reiki for Multiple Sclerosis: How Can It Help?.
https://iarp.org/reiki-for-multiple-sclerosis-how-can-it-help/