The Reiki Cafe 

Namaste,
Can anyone make any recommendations/opinions for treating anxiety? Like specific hand positions, symbols that work particularly well.
Many blessings,
Jo

Dear Jo,
I think it depends on the reason for the anxiety.
In a chair treatment, I like to place my hands on the shoulders, to get a feel for the energy of the person, then move to where it feels right. In a table treatment, it seems to work well starting on the head. If there is depression, be sure to treat the liver.
Namaste,
Feather

My experience is varied on this subject. Some people do not respond well to long sessions while others need very gentle energy sent. As you work put your impressions thru your senses. Let this guide you as you work. Pull back if the person tenses up, if need be. My daughter, during her worst periods of anxiety, loved receiving and would fall asleep. Beginning with distance work s also an avenue to take if the person is nervous about a session.

Hope this helps a bit,
Tracey

Dear Feather,
Interesting comments about treating the liver if there is depression. Could you explain why that is? thanks
peace,
Prosperity

Otoharo!

I am not following you. It has been my experience that treating anxiety is finding the source of the anxiety and releiving it. If a person has a huge splinter in his thumb, I would not give him reiki, I would remove the splinter.

finality

Reiki is 'wonderful' for the above,
I have worked on people that did not tell me they were depressed or had anxiety problems, who end up (sometimes crying) this is a great pressure 'valve release', 'TEARS'..others would drift off to sleep & wake up very relaxed...
we are not here to DX..we are not doctors, just go with you feelings, Reiki will never let you down!!!
we all have our diff: ways of doing things, you do what Reiki tells you is right..if they say they have come to you for Reiki, for the above, I will do a full body treatment...
luv to you....Wendy xxx

Dear Jo,
My suggestions:
Reiki, if nothing else, is a great way to provide relaxation & if that is all that appears to happen, that is a blessing for the anxiety prone! I stress "appears" because healing begins as an internal process & therefore we dont always get to see the results.
Ask your client what music promotes relaxation and what room temp is best for them, do they want a sheet or blanket, pillow, etc. Making them physically comfortable & providing a relaxing environment helps. If they do not have allergies or asthma, you might try a high grade essential oil of lavender simmered in the room before the client arrives. Having the room or area bathed in relaxation mode tailored to the individual will assist your client in relaxing. The practitioner should also be in a calm state themselves & if you are having a bad hair day this might be the day to reschedule if you do not have the time to prepare yourself ahead of the appointment.
Full body treatment helps to maintain balance & is appropriate for any issue. We will be drawn to those areas that need extra attention. I favor the individual approach rather than the formula approach to symbols & positions ( the client & practitioner working together are a team and create a unique connection)..listen & feel during Reiki and let that be your guide. It helps to understand what triggers anxiety in your client so you can avoid those behaviors or circumstances. What seems so normal & innocent to us can be quite alarming to another.( A person who is afraid of dogs might not want to gaze at that lovely picture of your giant Great Dane!)A general question such as " Is there anything that you would like to share that might make this a better experience for you, for example I have had clients that did not want to listen to music or to talk during Reiki".

peace & joy,
holobon

In oriental medicine, the liver is generally seen as key in depression.....it is also where anger is stored. It is the great detoxifier, and hence, detoxifies negative emotions along with all the other more "physical" toxins. A toxic liver can actually cause one to feel depressed.
Namaste,
Feather

Thank you everyone for your advice and suggestions. I gave my friend a chair session before I posted to the board. I was guided to especially work on her shoulder and stomach areas. She was delighted in how good she felt and asked for a full body session hence the reason for the post. She went through a 3 month sucession of events that led to the anxiety and says she only feels depressed when an attack occurs. She has faith that Reiki will help her and that makes me feel glad for her. She is on medications but is being weaned off because she doesn't feel like her self and wants to. Thanks again.
Many blessings,
Jo

Hello Jo.

As a former sufferer from a generalized anxiety state, I can vouch that Reiki has virtually eliminated the problem.

I found that full body treatments helped me considerably and, as holobon rightly said, if nothing else, induce a state of relaxation, which helps the healing process.

I also found that the practice of Reiki helped me enormously and, although the problem can still rear it's ugly head, I find that I can control it by self-Reiki.

Unfortunately, it seems that a general anxiety state has no specific cause which can be isolated and dealt with so the only option appears to be some form of relaxation therapy.

Keep it up, it is the best thing you can do for your friend.

Beannacht leat,

Brian.

Dear Feather,
Thank you for that information. It makes sense. Also depression is the natural progression and end result of not talking about hurts, usually from childhood or teenage years.
peace,
Prosperity

Also anxiety can be reduced by water intake and of course a reiki practice session helps for sure. thanks for letting me share.

Thanks for your input and encouragement Brian.

The organ/emotion correspondences of traditional Chinese medicine might work, but the particular correspondence depends on what you mean by "anxiety." The kidneys process fear. The heart processes agitation/restlessness. The "spleen" (pancreas) processes worry.

Bruce

Greetings!

It is true that anxiety can be caused by many things and addressing the root cause will be the quickest route. But when you don't know, all light energy is healing - and Reiki is light. The higher levels will reach a deeper healing.

My experiences with anxiety are: thyroid, adrenals, digestion, parasites, stressed mind, kidneys and bladder. Kidneys and bladder are strongly connected to depression. Also so many electromagnetic waves are causing these symptoms.