You can benefit from alternative holistic techniques like Reiki during treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). According to the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, “Reiki is a safe and gentle ‘complementary’ therapy that activates the parasympathetic nervous system to heal body and mind.” Villa Oasis San Diego uses Reiki and other complementary therapies to ensure residents feel relaxed and focused on their recovery.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese holistic form of healing that provides physical, emotional, and spiritual relief. According to the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Reiki is a complementary health approach in which practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above a person, with the goal of directing energy to help facilitate the person’s own healing response.”
Many people use Reiki and other relaxing techniques to feel less anxious or depressed. The idea that energy within the body affects mental health has been around for thousands of years. Most people who use Reiki report the following:
- Improved mood
- Better sleep
- Less anxiety
- Increased sense of well-being
- Less severe symptoms of SUD and mental health disorders
Reiki stimulates the body’s natural healing responses and positively manipulates your energy. You do not have to believe in energy, spirituality, or religion to benefit from Reiki. However, individuals with a greater belief in the reality of spiritual forces and internal energy systems often have the best results.
What to Expect During a Reiki Session
Everyone reacts differently to Reiki. However, most people feel deeply relaxed, happy, and on the edge of everyday consciousness. You can experience the health benefits even if you have no prior experience with Reiki or other energy-healing methods.
Reiki takes place in a quiet, comfortable space where you can fully relax your mind and body. During a session, you can expect the following:
- A brief explanation of what will happen and the possible effects
- The option of soft music playing in the background
- A comfortable surface to lay or sit on
- Very light touches to specific areas of the head, shoulders, neck, and other noninvasive regions of the body
Reiki is cumulative, which means that even if you do not notice much of an effect on your first session, the change will become more apparent over time. You will notice a significant positive shift in how you feel after each session.
Reiki Improves Mental Health
Complimentary therapies like Reiki can positively affect mental health. The technique most effectively treats muscle tension and negative moods related to everyday stressors.
According to Frontiers in Psychology, “Reiki assists in reducing clinically relevant stress and may reduce normal levels of stress.” In addition, the research showed that “Reiki significantly reduced the symptoms of depression in chronically ill patients.” Most people report that it has an effect similar to mindfulness-based exercises like meditation.
Benefits of Reiki During Treatment
Villa Oasis San Diego personalizes treatment plans to ensure the best possible results for every resident. You can rely on us to help identify and treat underlying trauma-related issues.
Reiki is a perfect tool for providing personalized care without feeling invasive or uncomfortable. In addition to lowering stress, depression, and anxiety, Reiki also does the following:
- Reduces fatigue and improves sleep
- Encourages physical recovery
- Improves mood
- Provides noticeable pain relief
- Promotes a more positive state of mind
Rehabilitation involves developing essential life skills to help you overcome challenges related to your recovery. Reiki is an excellent way to improve your ability to cope with stress.
In addition, during treatment for SUD, you can increase the effectiveness of traditional therapeutic methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) using Reiki. The techniques used during sessions will also strengthen your mind-body connection.
Holistic Healing and Long-Term Recovery
Many people continue to use alternative holistic techniques like Reiki during aftercare and long-term recovery as a form of self-care. The accumulative nature of Reiki means that the positive effects often last for a week or more. You can use that increased positivity to overcome challenges related to recovery.
The transition into aftercare can feel destabilizing for some people. Reiki allows you to refocus your thoughts and return your emotions to baseline. Some additional benefits of using Reiki during long-term recovery include:
- Continued reduced depression and anxiety
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved quality of life
Villa Oasis San Diego uses Reiki and other holistic techniques to help residents feel comfortable during rehabilitation. According to the previously mentioned article in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, “It was found that Reiki was more effective than placebo, music, or meditation for inducing physical relaxation.”
Loosening up your muscles and reducing tension can help you feel better about yourself and less worried. Physical relaxation increases mental focus and energy. Your overall health improves when you feel spiritually, physically, and emotionally stable.
Stress is one of the most common causes of relapse in individuals recovering from substance misuse. Reiki and other alternative holistic techniques provide essential stress relief. You can use these spiritual methods of healing even if you personally do not believe in the power of energy manipulation.
The relaxing tactile nature of Reiki will release tension from your body and improve your stress tolerance. Many people continue to use Reiki after completing treatment as a tool for maintaining a healthy self-care routine.
Villa Oasis San Diego offers all our residents Reiki and other alternative holistic options. You can take advantage of Reiki to improve your mood and increase positivity. To learn more, call us today at (619) 373-9792.
