Energy Balancing for Stress Relief and Self-Healing

Reiki is a form of alternative healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It is based on the idea that there is a universal life force energy that flows through all living things. The practice involves a Reiki practitioner using their hands to channel this energy into a person’s body to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

Key Concepts in Reiki:

1. Life Force Energy (Ki or Chi): Reiki is based on the belief that energy flows through the body and can affect health. If the energy is low or blocked, it can result in illness, while balanced energy supports well-being.
2. Hands-on Healing: The practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above the recipient’s body in specific positions, aiming to restore balance and unblock any energy flow issues. The recipient remains fully clothed during the session.
3. Healing: Reiki is thought to help reduce stress, promote relaxation, relieve pain, and improve emotional well-being. In fact, Reiki is offered at over 1,000 hospitals in the United States, including major cancer treatment centers and research hospitals.

Is Reiki Religious?

Reiki itself is not inherently religious. It was developed by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century, and its practice does not require belief in any particular religion. However, some aspects of Reiki may incorporate spiritual elements, especially in the way practitioners connect with energy and intentions for healing. The practice focuses more on energy healing and balance rather than religious rituals or doctrines.

That said, individuals from various religious backgrounds may incorporate Reiki into their personal practices, and some Reiki teachers may integrate spiritual or philosophical teachings from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Indigenous practices, or other traditions. However, Reiki is generally considered to be a secular healing practice rather than a religious system. While Reiki has spiritual elements and is often associated with concepts like energy and healing, it is not considered a religion. People from various faiths or no religious background may practice Reiki.

Energetic Kinesiology is a holistic healing technique that combines principles from kinesiology (the study of body movement) with energy self-healing practices. Energetic Kinesiology (EK) traces the movement of energy across the body’s structure and energy system to release blockages in energy. Using the wisdom of Chiropractic, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and other ancient traditions, EK presents an efficient and comprehensive means of balancing the body, mind, and spirit. It is based on the idea that the body has a system of energy pathways that can be used to assess and correct imbalances in physical, emotional, and mental health. Practitioners use muscle testing to access the body’s energy systems and identify areas where energy flow might be blocked or imbalanced. Energetic Kinesiology is a holistic practice aimed at identifying and addressing imbalances in the body’s energy system. It may be helpful for reducing stress, relieving pain, promoting emotional healing, and improving overall well-being. It’s a complementary modality and should be seen as a part of a broader approach to wellness, particularly for those looking for non-invasive ways to support their body’s natural healing processes. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider for any serious medical concerns.

Key Concepts in Energetic Kinesiology:

1. Muscle Testing: The primary tool in Energetic Kinesiology is muscle testing. The practitioner applies gentle pressure to specific muscles while the client resists. The response (whether the muscle remains strong or weak) can indicate areas of stress, blockage, or imbalance in the body’s energy system.
2. Energy Imbalances: The technique assumes that imbalances in the body’s energy can affect overall well-being. By identifying weak or overactive energy patterns, a practitioner can help correct these imbalances and restore harmony.
3. Holistic Approach: Energetic Kinesiology looks at the whole person—body, mind, and emotions—rather than just treating symptoms. The practitioner may also explore emotional blockages, past trauma, or stress that could be affecting the body’s energy flow.

What can Energetic Kinesiology do for you?

Energetic Kinesiology can offer a variety of potential benefits for your physical, emotional, and mental health. Here are some of the ways it may help:

1. Stress Reduction: It can help release emotional stress and tension by identifying and clearing energy blockages related to past traumas, fears, or negative emotions.
2. Pain Relief: The technique may be used to help reduce physical pain by restoring energy flow and promoting relaxation in the muscles and nervous system.
3. Emotional Healing: Energetic Kinesiology can support emotional healing by uncovering unconscious emotional patterns or traumas that may be contributing to current difficulties.
4. Improved Physical Health: By addressing energy imbalances, the practice may improve the body’s ability to heal itself, boost the immune system, and increase overall vitality.
5. Behavioral Shifts: Some practitioners use it to help change limiting beliefs or unhealthy patterns, such as negative self-talk, phobias, or unhealthy habits.
6. Balance and Clarity: It may help you feel more balanced, grounded, and clear-headed, supporting better decision-making and mental clarity.

How It Works:

• During a session, Dr. Farah will typically ask the you to hold certain positions or think about specific issues (physical, emotional, etc.), and then use muscle testing to assess the body’s response.
• Dr. Farah will use these responses to identify energy imbalances or blockages, and then work to clear them using various techniques, such as tapping, acupressure, or guided visualization.

Energetic Kinesiology has shown promise with helping people cope with traumatic events and learning difficulties. Read about Dr. Farah’s personal experience with EK that led her to an interest in helping others using this method.

“I was receiving a routine massage, and began to share my life’s concerns beyond the table to my massage therapist. I shared that I had been in a car accident and had suffered a concussion. I was having trouble remembering and concentrating and experienced dizzy spells, nausea, headaches, and double vision. I just felt “off” after the accident. Though I was managing, I would have to work twice as hard to produce at the same level as before.

This could not have come at a worse time for me. I was completing my doctoral studies and was three weeks away from the deadline to submit the first draft of my final paper. I had written hundreds of pages…if only I could put them together in a coherent fashion! My brain literally was muddled and the writer’s block was relentless.

My massage therapist suggested I see the EK practitioner at her practice. Considering I had never heard of EK, I was a bit reluctant but thought it certainly could not hurt…and I was desperate! I scheduled an appointment the next week.

The EK practitioner asked me about my concerns. I gave her a laundry list of issues, so she asked about my main priority. It was the writer’s block. So, I closed my eyes – peeking periodically out of one, because I was still kinda suspicious about this – as she worked. She walked around me, told me to lift my arm, waved her hands about, and muttered some words. I was beginning to think that maybe this was some “woo woo” stuff, but I decided to trust the process. In retrospect, I believe that my decision to trust was a turning point for my healing. I took my power over my healing back in that moment. I let down my guard and during the remainder of the session, I felt some tingling and some warm sensations and an overall sense of calm.

As the session rounded to a close, she asked how I felt and offered me some water. Honestly, I did not feel much difference in that moment, though I did feel relaxed. She told me to sit there for a moment so I wouldn’t get dizzy jumping off the table too fast. As I sat there a bit longer, I felt energy moving around in my body, almost like water. I also felt a bit light-headed. I slowly got off the table and as I was bidding her adieu, I got the sudden urge to use the restroom. Not to be graphic here, but I mean really USE the restroom! After a major purge, I went home groggy and drained. I slept for nearly an ENTIRE day!

When I awakened from that deep, restorative slumber, I felt more mental clarity than I had felt in a long time. I opened my laptop and feverishly began to edit and rewrite portions of my doctoral submission. The writer’s block was miraculously…gone! I could not believe that something I struggled with for MONTHS was alleviated by EK. I completed and submitted my first draft, on time thanks to EK!”

Will everyone have this experience with EK? No, but you will have YOUR unique experience based on what your body, mind, and spirit call for. Though not as widely known as Reiki and a younger practice than the ancient systems, it uses modern and ancient wisdom to facilitate positive outcomes.