TheThe ReikiReiki TimesTimes Volume 22 Issue Q3 2018 Can Reiki Help Lower Blood Pressure? Reiki for Generalized Anxiety Disorder About Reiki Hand Positions Canada Reiki: Alternative God or No God, Therapies on the You Still Got Reiki Rise by Reiki and Religion Series Patient Demand International Series TheThe ReikiReiki TimesTimes Volume 22, Issue Q3, 2018 Inside this Issue… Can Reiki Help Lower Blood Pressure? By IARP Reiki for Generalized Anxiety Disorder By IARP About Reiki Hand Positions Client Waiting Room Resource By IARP Canada Reiki: Alternative Therapies on the Rise by Patient Demand International Series The Reiki Times™ is the official publication of By IARP IARP: International Association of Reiki Profes- sionals® Published by: International Association of Reiki God or No God, You Still Got Reiki Professionals LLC, 20 Trafalgar Sq., Ste. #405, Reiki and Religion Series Nashua, NH 03063 USA By IARP Web: https://iarp.org and https://iarpreiki.org © 2018. 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By IARP High blood pressure, which may also be referred to as "hypertension," affects millions of people all over the world. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that nearly one in four people around the world over the age of 18 are currently living with this condition. Many different treatments are used to deal with this condition, including medications, dietary changes and exercise. However, some patients have also found that they can improve their symptoms by adding Reiki treatments to their therapeutic regimen. How High Blood Pressure Affects You High blood pressure occurs when the pressure exerted by your blood flow is too strong, causing damage to the walls of your blood vessels. Some of the symptoms of high blood pressure include headaches, nosebleeds and shortness of breath, but many people with this condition don't have any symptoms until their blood pressure reaches a dangerous level. When blood pressure gets extremely high or high blood pressure remains untreated for a long period of time, a number of complications may result. Some of the possible complications of high blood pressure include memory problems, heart failure, heart attack, stroke and aneurysm. Some people may also experience problems with their eyes and/or kidneys because of this condition. Blood pressure is usually treated with medications, including diuretics and beta blockers. People with high blood pressure are also encouraged to watch their sodium intake, maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. In addition, most physicians instruct patients with high blood pressure to avoid stress as much as they can. 1 Can Reiki Help Lower Blood Pressure?, The Reiki Times Vol. 22, Issue Q3, 2018 What Can Reiki Do for People with Hypertension? Reiki is a Japanese therapy that focuses on the natural flow of spiritual energy within each individual. The idea behind this therapy is that blockages or disruptions in energy pathways within the body may be related to some of our medical problems, including stress and high blood pressure. If these pathways are strengthened and/or unblocked, energy can flow freely and the body's natural balance will be restored. Several of the effects of Reiki may be beneficial to people who suffer from high blood pressure. Specifically, Reiki may be able to: Induce feelings of relaxation. - Being stressed, anxious or nervous can raise blood pressure. Participating in Reiki sessions may help people to relax, thus lowering their blood pressure indirectly. Lead to better sleep. - Poor sleep habits have been connected to high blood pressure. Reiki may potentially improve sleep habits and the quality of sleep, which may also lower blood pressure and/or reduce the likelihood of complications related to high blood pressure. Reduce sensations of pain. - Pain causes people to feel stressed, which raises blood pressure. Reiki treatments may help reduce people's perceptions of pain, which prevents blood pressure increases related to pain sensation. Improve the mood. - Another possible effect of Reiki treatment is elevation of mood and potential improvement of symptoms of depression. When people with high blood pressure are feeling better about life and about themselves, they are more likely to be proactive in making lifestyle changes and following doctors' recommendations with regard to the management of high blood pressure. Reiki is non-invasive and requires no painful manipulation or pressure. Instead, the practitioner simply places his or her hands above the patient in a specific position. Alternatively, the practitioner may touch the patient lightly during treatment. Relevant Research 2 Can Reiki Help Lower Blood Pressure?, The Reiki Times Vol. 22, Issue Q3, 2018 Reiki's potential benefits for people with high blood pressure are well supported by recent research. Some of the studies that have explored the relationship between Reiki and blood pressure are detailed below. Changes to the Autonomic Nervous System During Reiki A study conducted by researchers at South Glasgow University Hospital investigated the effect of Reiki treatments on the autonomic nervous systems of a group of healthy participants. The study found that Reiki treatments decreased both heart rate and diastolic blood pressure significantly. Biochemical and Physiological Changes Related to Reiki Another study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Houston Health Science Center found that a 30 minute Reiki treatment produced lower perceptions of anxiety and lower systolic blood pressure. The study also found that Reiki treatment increased salivary IgA levels and skin temperature. Effect of Reiki on Blood Hypertension A third study completed in Brazil further solidifies the evidence that Reiki can lower blood pressure. In this study, a total of 66 participants were divided into three groups: one group that received Reiki treatment, one group that received a placebo and one group that acted as a control. Although all three groups experienced a drop in blood pressure, the effect was greatest among the people in the group that received Reiki treatments. Finding a Reiki Practitioner Near You Based on the scientific evidence and the positive reports from people who have undergone Reiki treatment, the potential of Reiki to benefit people with high blood pressure is clear. If you are interested in beginning Reiki treatments or if you would like to learn more, you can find a Reiki Practitioner in your area, anywhere in the world, at the IARP web site https://iarp.org Sources: http://www.who.int/gho/ncd/risk_factors/blood_pressure_prevalence/en/, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15674004, http:// 3 Can Reiki Help Lower Blood Pressure?, The Reiki Times Vol. 22, Issue Q3, 2018 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11251731, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood- pressure/basics/complications/con-20019580 This article appeared in The Reiki Times, Vol. 22, Issue Q3, the magazine of IARP: International Association of Reiki Professionals. © 2018. International Association of Reiki Professionals LLC. All Rights Reserved. Visit https://iarp.org for additional articles and information. 4 Reiki for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, The Reiki Times Vol. 22, Issue Q3, 2018 The Reiki Times https://iarp.org Reiki for Generalized Anxiety Disorder By IARP Generalized anxiety disorder is a potentially debilitating condition that affects millions of people all across the United States. In fact, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, generalized anxiety disorder currently affects 3.1 percent of the U.S. population. Treatments for generalized anxiety disorder vary but often include medication and psychotherapy. Some people struggling with this condition have also added Reiki to their treatment plan in hopes of improving symptoms further. Facts about Generalized Anxiety Disorder People with generalized anxiety disorder deal with excessive and unrealistic worry about everyday issues, including their family, health or financial situation. This worry is persistent and difficult to control. In many cases, people with this condition feel a sense of impending doom even when there is no reason to believe that something bad will happen. For most people, this disorder appears gradually over time. It is more common in women than in men and tends to peak after childhood.