Tips for Reiki Practitioners working with the elderly

The elderly are often challenged with loneliness as well as physical illnesses.
To be able to share Reiki with an elderly friend or relative is both rewarding and beneficial.
Reiki is being used in Nursing homes and in respite care units worldwide.

The reported benefits include better sleeping routines, a calming effect and noticeable mood improvements.
Some nursing homes have in house nurses giving Reiki treatments, while others have structured volunteer Reiki programmes.

It is amazing how even a few minutes of Reiki can improve a person’s day.
In my nursing career I observed that old people love having their hands gently held.
They also find a gentle rotating motion on the central back comforting. This may be because it reminds them of a soothing feeling they got when their mothers rubbed their backs as babies.

I suggest that if you are sharing Reiki with an elderly friend that you start by gently holding one of their hands. Place one of your hands under theirs and the other one gently on top. If the person has arthritis or sensitive hands you could beam in the energy instead. When finished with one hand, move to the other one. You can even be chatting to the person while doing this, as conversation is welcomed by people who do not have much social interaction.

Other Reiki hand positions you could use are to gently cradle the head ( 3rd position you learnt at your Reiki 1 courses). You could then move gently to the shoulders as stiffness can be common in old age.

The elderly often have stomach challenges and if you can comfortably apply Reiki to this area, it is usually appreciated. As the solar plexus area also holds on to anxiety and fear, the Reiki energy when applied here can have a calming effect.

To conclude you could gently rub the persons back in two or three clockwise motions before resting your hand to give Reiki here.
It is wonderful to get feedback from staff members about any benefits noticed
following Reiki treatments.http://www.thehealingpages.com/

If you wish to become part of a Reiki volunteer programme, you will need to have completed your Reiki Practitioner level of Reiki training. There may also be some supervised Reiki training involved in the relevant organisation or hospital involved.
You will be required to have relevant malpractice insurance, and you may also be required to have a basic course in Anatomy and Physiology.

The rewards of sharing Reiki with our elderly friends are many. This natural healing energy therapy means so much to those who are so often marginalised.

For more information on Reiki healing and Reiki training in Ireland visit:
www.thehealingpages.com

Imagine having a renewed sense of energy on waking every morning.
Would you like to be more relaxed in how you think?
How about having the energy you need to enjoy your children and balance
a busy work life and your family. If you would like a life more in the flow,
then a Reiki course might be the answer for you.

About Reiki

Reiki is a form of natural healing. It is a gentle energy therapy which everyone can benefit from. The two ways to experience Reiki are to have a reiki treatment or to learn how to do Reiki for yourself by attending a Reiki 1 Course.

What is involved in having a Reiki treatment?

A Reiki treatment is a very relaxing experience. It takes one hour.
You remain fully clothed, only removing your shoes if you wish to for comfort.
During the Reiki treatment, you lie down on a comfortable massage table,
unless you are unable to get on to the table. A Reiki chair treatment is given in such situations.

Reiki practitioners may ask you to remove heavy jewellery before the treatment.
Reiki is non manipulative. The practitioner uses a sequence of Reiki positions on or over the body.
The Reiki energy is then absorbed by the client, going to where it is needed.
Sensations felt during Reiki treatments can include heat, tingling or a cool sensation.
Most clients drift into a deep state of relaxation and many clients fall asleep.

The Benefit of attending a Reiki 1 Course

A Reiki 1 class is very beneficial because you learn how to administer Reiki to yourself.
At Reiki 1 courses you are shown how to do a self Reiki treatment, so that you can use Reiki on an ongoing basis at home. Imagine being able to experience deep relaxation every day. The beauty of Reiki is that it is easy to learn and easy to give to oneself. You could even give yourself some Reiki on a bus or train on your way to work. Every time you use Reiki, you empower your energy reserves and also help to reduce your stress levels. Most Reiki 1 classes are held over two days.

Hospitals recognise the many benefits of Reiki

Reiki is gaining increasing respect within conventional medicine.
Not only are highly respected hospitals offering reiki treatments to their patients, they are also now analyzing the benefits of reiki treatments and submitting them for review.

New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Campus conducted one of the first studies ever performed to determine the effectiveness of Reiki treatments on the autonomic nervous system. This “blind, random study” included a Reiki treatment group, a “sham” treatment group and a “control” group. The testing began with all participants at “baseline” autonomic nervous systems levels. The results within the Reiki treatment group showed a lowering of these levels including heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. These positive results led the team to recommend further, larger studies to look at the biological effects of Reiki treatment.

Reiki Training in Ireland

Reiki in Ireland has grown in popularity in the last ten years.
Reiki courses and Reiki classes in Dublin, are held on an ongoing basis.
As Reiki is unregulated, ensure you research your Reiki teacher before signing up for your Reiki class.
Angela Gorman a former nurse is a Reiki teacher who has been teaching Reiki in Dublin since 1996.

For more information on Reiki and on her Reiki courses visit: www.thehealingpages.com