This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Robbie,
I have to say I wonder OFTEN how you are doing. If I wait a bit, there you are- doing just "fine".
Allie,
I also wondered about you. I think you hadn't posted in a while, but you were there yesterday. I hope you are doing okay.
Now I know I am "nobody", but I have read your posts enough to care if you are okay. I am sure I'm not the only one.
There are many others of you who I think about often. Again, I know I'm not the only one. We are in this together.

Terry

robbie,

We do tend to worry about each other, including you, but Dom is different because he is much worse than the rest of us.

His attitude is always missed because even though he is bed bound, he still makes it a point to look up as much info as possible pointing to treatments and his posts frequently are new research topics and usually informative and right on target.

I have PM'd you at times, in case you have forgotten, and do not always pick on you.

Dom tends to be humorous, whereas you tend to be a grump butt.

Thinking of you now,

gwa

Hello Punchy

I go for Reiki 2-3 times a week,when i have the $.

I would say "Go for ot"
-it doesn't hurt
-it can be hands touching you or not.
-I go for an hour each time

-I've had 4 neat things happen since i started in December. they may be small to family or others but since ms has been around 18yrs "it's a big deal" i will not give into this disease...and i believe reiki halps some.
I find if i go twice a week i sleep solid,which was different after insomnia.
i stopped ms meds yrs ago,try to eat better haha
"well if they can't guarentee meds r 100% work "don't want them. "my hand tremors began when i started copaxone, neuro said "no reson for truth there but i think a lot of us think our neuro isan @#&!>>.

write me if u want Sandra sbrraniff@cogeco.ca

Robbie, I think Terry's right: I'm sure we all think about each other often. Maybe it's just that I was posting a lot, and then stopped for a few weeks so it looked like I had mysteriously "disappeared".
By the way, you're much too late with the, "F * * * Dom": someone upstairs has well and truly done that already!

Hi there

I echo all of you in that I think of you often - the folks in this forum are like 'family' to me - we are all related (maybe reluctantly!) because of our shared experience with this rotten disease.
Terry - thanks for your concern - I am just getting over an 'exacerbation' - not a relapse, as it was just a worsening of existing symptoms, rather than the appearance of new ones.
The physical issues were of concern, but I think it hit me really bad emotionally as it is my first 'spike' (as opposed to slow decline) in just over a year on Avonex - it was in late Jan 2007 that my edss suddenly went from 3 or 3.5 to a 5.5, and I had managed to get a little better, suddenly I am knocked on my ass - feeling a bit too down to post & didn't want to infect anyone else with my fear!
Seem stable again, saw my neuro for some iv steroids and my neuro-psych for some counselling and practical help on the emotional side, so I am back in the game!
Before anyone scolds me for not posting sooner, not only could I not type, but I am so aware of folks like Dom & Robbie (and many others I am sure) who have it so much worse that I hate to whine
Keeping a positive attitude is hard for all of us and I guess mine just took a bit of a dip!

As for alternative therapies, I haven't tried Reiki but probably will. Accupuncture works well for my for assisstance with muscle spasms, and massage is really great. Reflexology made me feel nice and relaxed - no concrete improvement but a sense of well-being, which I think is helpful. I tried a Chiropracter, but unfortunately, the c-spine manipulation worsened my L'Hermittes so much that my rt arm became totally paralysed every time I bent my neck...Bad! Homeopathy can be good too - I am the kind of person who believes in western medicine (science), but am happy to combine it with anything that makes you feel better and doesn't do any harm...Typical fence-sitter, but logical, I think.

Cheers

Hello all,

I hope you don't mind a newbie butting into this conversation but I am a Reiki Practitioner and have a niece with MS. I came to this forum from a Reiki forum where this site was mentioned.

I used to work on my niece but she lost interest and has stuck pretty much to the allopathic treatment protocols. I wish she would let me help her, my feeling is that anything that will help lower stress levels is good for the body and soul. Reiki will definitely do that and can sometimes do much more for many problems we face.

Here is a short informational hand out I have written on Reiki for those who have questions about it.

Reiki is Not personal energy. It is Universal Life Force and is all around us all the time.

Hope this clears up some of the questions about the practice.

telulah


What is Reiki

According to the National Institutes of Health Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Reiki falls under the category of biofield medicine. At this time biofields can’t be measured by current technology, that however doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

Reiki is a system of energy healing developed in Japan by Mikao Usui. It employs elements derived from Japanese Shinto and Esoteric Buddhism, as well as Chinese and Japanese medicine and energy practices. It is a subtle energy therapy generally facilitated by light touch, which balances the energy field (biofield) and strengthens the body's ability to heal itself.

Reiki began as a secular system of enlightenment, which heals on many levels. Since it's introduction to the West it has become a healing system that can lead to enlightenment. It allows a person to facilitate healing in themselves and others by laying on of hands or by distance through a connection to Universal Life Energy. Reiki is not a religion and there is no belief system attached to its practice. Becoming a Reiki practitioner requires neither conversion to any religion, nor that any religious or spiritual beliefs be adopted. It has been used by practitioners of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and many other religions. There are clergy of many faiths who practice Reiki and see no conflict in doing so.

The word Reiki is a combination of two Japanese kanji. It is commonly taught that they mean universal energy. According to Kenkyusha’s New School Japanese/English Dictionary 1968, Rei means spiritual (also spirit or soul). Ki (chi) is generally understood to mean infinite and unlimited energy, the essence that gives vitality to form. Usui did not call his system Reiki but 'Usui Teate' (Usui Hand Healing /Touch). The word 'Reiki' during Usui's time meant (loosely translated) 'atmosphere of the Divine'. One of the Masters trained by Hayashi, a Mr. Tatsumi, believed that Usui related Reiki to the concept of spirituality.

Reiki is a system of accessing Universal Life Energy, not the energy itself. If you haven't been attuned to the system you're not doing Reiki although you may well be channeling ULE. Usui Reiki incorporates some of the practices of Kei Ko (the Japanese version of Qi Gong) such as breathing exercises and meditation to increase the ability to move Chi. These are not necessary to the ability to 'transmit' the Reiki energy but they augment the practice. Anyone may become a Reiki practitioner, it requires no special abilities.

Energy circulates through the body along established channels called meridians. These energy channels have been mapped and can be physically felt. Meridians are closely associated with the nerve pathways of the autonomic nervous system, which is linked to all parts of the body. Acupuncture, Shiatsu massage, and other healing modalities such as Chinese Medicine and Reflexology, use specific points on these meridians for treating imbalance and illness. Health/healing is maintained/achieved when the proper flow of energy is moving along the meridians, stimulating blood flow and the associated tissues and organs. Reiki balances, and stimulates these channels of energy, promoting the regulation of internal organs and bodily functions thereby affecting the entire body. There are practices which teach the practitioner to utilize the Chi (or energy) of their own body for health and well being. In some advanced practices they also teach using this Chi for others. Reiki is different from these in that it does not utilize this more 'personal' Chi but allows the practitioner to access 'universal' Chi, thereby not depleting but actually increasing their own Chi in the process. There are also disciplines that access this 'universal' Chi. Reiki differs from these in that it does not take years of study and discipline to become proficient in using it for healing.

A growing number of people are turning to alternative methods to supplement conventional medicine. Therapies based in energy medicine are gaining popularity, and are increasingly being incorporated into clinical and hospital settings. Many nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals utilize some form of therapeutic touch and the practice is growing, as is anecdotal evidence of the effects of these practices on healing.

A Reiki practitioner does not diagnose or medically treat any condition, physical or emotional. Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment but is a compliment to it. Reiki has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, speed the healing of wounds and breaks, and to be effective in managing pain. It is at the very least a complimentary practice to both allopathic and naturopathic medicine. Reiki is a holistic practice in the sense that it goes to the cause and effects the whole being, physical, emotional, and spiritual. It promotes a sense of well being and relieves tension, allowing you to more easily deal with the stresses of everyday living

Reiki accelerates the healing process of the body, mind, and spirit. It encourages balance and well being in the practitioner and the recipient. The Reiki energy works at the cause of the imbalance and heals from the 'inside out'. It does not necessarily 'cure' the illness but facilitates 'removal' of the cause. It is not a passive system but requires that the recipient be actively involved in the process of clearing the root cause of the imbalance to be effective in healing. If you have a stomach ulcer brought on by too much stress, you will need to address the causes of the stress and make some life changes in order to heal. Reiki will relieve the pain and the tension. It will promote healing of the tissue and help you recognize ways of resolving the situation. It will facilitate balance, but you must be an active participant in your recovery by acting on your behalf.

The ability to transmit the Reiki energy is awakened in a student by a Reiki teacher in a process called an attunement. An attunement is an energetic transmission from one person to another and is a simple process that may vary slightly from teacher to teacher. They are ideally given in an atmosphere free of distraction and with reverence. Attunements should be considered permanent and the practice should not be taken lightly. After this is done the intention of channeling the energy will cause the energy to flow and you are able to administer a Reiki treatment.

A Reiki treatment, just as an attunement, is ideally given in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere free of distractions. Sometimes this is not possible. However, a treatment under less than ideal circumstances is still effective. Normally the client is fully clothed, lying or sitting comfortably and the practitioner rests their hands on, or just above, the client's body allowing the energy to flow.

The energy is pulled through the practitioner, by the recipient, according to the needs of the recipient. You cannot 'channel' more energy than is needed or more than they are able to absorb. Most practitioners will feel their hands become warm or even hot when the energy is flowing and cool down after the treatment. The recipient will generally feel something similar, though they may feel your hands as cold when you experience them as hot or vice versa. What they feel has no relation to what you feel. There will be times when you feel nothing and they will report a variety of experiences, so don't let your past experiences or expectations interfere with the session.

Reiki is a process of discovery and a lifetime of learning.



Choosing a practitioner

Ultimately choosing a practitioner, like choosing a counselor, is a subjective experience. You have to feel comfortable with them as a person and have confidence in their ability both as a practitioner and as a professional who will maintain the highest level of respect for you and the process. In choosing a Reiki practitioner, use the same guidelines that you would for any other modality that interested you.

Speak to the practitioner. Ask about their experience and philosophy of Reiki. How long have they been practicing? (This may or may not have a bearing on how qualified or gifted they are as a practitioner.) Have they continued to educate themselves? (Do they expand their knowledge base by reading/studying related material?) Do they incorporate other practices into their Reiki practice such as crystals, guides, ascended masters etc.? Are you comfortable with these practices? Ask questions. No reputable practitioner is going to try to evade your questions or become confrontational because you are asking them.

Don't fall for the hard sell. As with anything else a reputable practitioner is not going to force you into a decision that you are not comfortable with and they are not going to disappear overnight. They are also not going to insist or infer that another practitioner might not be more appropriate for you.

Find out if they will be available for follow up in case you have questions or problems.

Trust yourself. If you have doubts, in spite of how good someone else felt about this practitioner or if you are not comfortable with them for any reason, look until you find a practitioner that you are comfortable with.



What to expect from a Reiki Session

Generally a deep felling of relaxation can be expected, with an overall sense of well being.

There is no standard for expectations, however there are sensations that are frequently reported. You may or may not have any of the following experiences:

∑ Heat or cold from the practitioner's hands.

∑ Tingling sensation or slight spasms in the area being treated.

∑ Visualization of color.

∑ A full range of emotional responses such as joy, fear, anger, love etc.
These can be fleeting or they may be more profound.

∑ A dreamlike state, you may even fall asleep.

I have been a practicing Reiki Master for eight years and I would be happy to do a distant attunement and send materials/manuals in PDF format (all free of charge) to anyone on this board or a family member who would work with you.

If anyone is interested or would like more information please contact me through the board.

telulah

Hi Telulah,
Welcome to the ThisIsMS forum. Thanks for posting the information about Reiki. It may be helpful for some of our members. You are welcome to participate in the discussions here at ThisIsMS but please be respectful of our
Rules of the Board which state...

NO advertising is allowed on the message boards, period. If you like a product, you can tell us about it. But if you gain financially from selling said product, your posts will be deleted and you will be banned from the site without warning. Thank you for your understanding of this simple rule.

Thanks, and again welcome to ThisIsMS, NHE

NHE wrote:Hi Telulah,
Welcome to the ThisIsMS forum. Thanks for posting the information about Reiki. It may be helpful for some of our members. You are welcome to participate in the discussions here at ThisIsMS but please be respectful of our
Rules of the Board which state...

NO advertising is allowed on the message boards, period. If you like a product, you can tell us about it. But if you gain financially from selling said product, your posts will be deleted and you will be banned from the site without warning. Thank you for your understanding of this simple rule.

Thanks, and again welcome to ThisIsMS, NHE

NHE,

Thanks for the welcome. Sorry I didn't read the rules first. I would never charge anyone with a serious illness for services so you guys don't have to worry about that. I'm not in it for the money, if I were I would have starved to death a long time ago. My only hope was that there would be some who might take advantage of the offer and find Reiki to be of some help, even if in only a small way. If it is acceptable according to the rules the offer will stand.

I've seen my niece go through horrible times with this disease and have great respect for any and all who live with it, especially those who manage to stay hopeful and positive through their trials.

Again, thanks for the welcome and I hope that no one is offended by the fact that I offered.

telulah

Hi Ally,
It's good to see you back "in the game", (so glad you didn't say, "on"). Having an exacerbation when you're doing so well is frustrating, frightening and, to use massive understatement: profoundly disappointing. Just when you're thinking, " maybe I've found the thing that works for me", along comes MS and simultaneously pulls the rug from under your feet and punches you in the solar plexus. It's easy to get down and start thinking the treatment has failed, but of course no therapy can guarantee complete cessation of progression: that wouldn't be, " therapy ", that would be, " cure", and we're still waiting for that one to come along. I'm very pleased to hear that you're getting back on an even keel.
I've never detected any, " whining", from you or anyone else, just the venting of emotional steam which we all have to do to avoid going insane. We can't always do it to the people around us, so these pages are invaluable to provide a truly understanding ear. I'd hate to feel that my EDSS number would make you think you " mustn't grumble", I don't think it works like that because, for example, knowing that people are worse off or have worse illnesses than me doesn't automatically mean that I'm suddenly going to feel OK about my situation, and I don't expect that of other people.

telulah,
Thanks for all that information: there was a lot there I hadn't heard before. I'm going to have another session soon… I must admit that the first time I was worried I was going to burst out laughing, (I giggle a lot!), but it was so calming that that didn't happen. I'm also due to have a reflexology session soon, and this time I'm worried that my uncontrollable body is going to kick the practitioner unconscious! Any legal advice would be welcome,

Dom,

Glad that there was something new there for you.

Have them sign a release.

telulah

Hey Dom

Thanks darling - you always make me feel better, even if it is by sweetly slapping my wrist - you do it in the most kind and positive manner! I guess I deserved it - didn't mean to be all martyr-ish, I just found it difficult to get out from under the load for a while, and part of that trying to pick myself up was by telling myself not to be a wimp, that there are people who are sicker than me yada, yada...But you are right, we all have issues and are entitled to our emotional responses - thanks for pointing that out - sometimes I have to be reminded
I get struck with self pity on occasion and I absolutely hate it - it is the most de-motivating emotion and hard to kick sometimes! I have never noted anything like whining in any one else's posts either and was so in that zone that I couldn't make the distinction between venting and whining in myself.
What is so uplifting is that there are folks in this forum that go out of their way to give of themselves, their knowledge, their kindness (almost to strangers in a way) to others - and in that simple human connection lies redemption from self-pity - can I write the cheesy posters too, please ?

Glad you are trying Reiki & hope that it helps destress you, and maybe even give you more concrete benefits.
It is something that I will definitley get around to soon.

Cheerio!