tech talk
Introduction to Reiki This safe and effective energetic healing modality is backed up by promising preliminary research. Find out how you can use it to support the animals you care for. by Kathleen Prasad
Because it is holistic in nature, Reiki can address both physical and emotional issues. It supports healing on all levels. It is an ideal therapy to use with animals because it is gentle, painless and stress-free, does not require direct physical contact in order to be effective, and allows animals to choose their own level of participation and acceptance of the energy.
ast year, Dr. Oz declared Reiki his No. 1 alternative medicine secret. With 40% of Americans having tried alternative medicine – and 60% of US households home to at least one pet – many people are increasingly turning to Reiki and other holistic therapies to help their animals. Thanks to Reiki’s increasing popularity, many integrative veterinarians now offer it and other energy healing options in the clinic environment. Many conventional veterinarians are also learning more about Reiki as a holistic option, at the request of their human clients. Reiki literally means “spiritual energy” and refers to a Japanese healing system that uses specific meditative, breathing and other practices to support energetic rebalancing and the self-healing process.
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integrative veterinary care
Maybe you work in an integrative clinic where Reiki is already part of the healing program. Or perhaps you work for a veterinarian who is at present unaware of how Reiki can help the animals in her care. In either case, there are many benefits to learning Reiki.
Benefit 1: Reiki is easy to use and will not take away from your regular duties. Reiki is something you can use any time during the day whenever an animal might need some extra support. Although longer and more focused treatments are extremely helpful, you can also use Reiki quickly and easily with some simple focus and breathing techniques. This particular benefit has already been documented for nurses in “Effects of Reiki on Autonomic Activity Early After Acute Coronary Syndrome” a study that appeared in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2010;56;995-