Reiki and Massage

Ongoing research confirms what ancient civilizations and Eastern cultures instinctively and intuitively knew: that energy techniques (like Reiki), massage and alternative modalities can effectively manage many health concerns including anxiety, stress related disorders, acute and chronic pain, and age-related disorders.

When mental/physical stressors are internalized, muscle patterns  change as the body attempts to adjust to the stressor imposed upon it.  These stressors can be physical (repetitive motion activity, sitting for long periods of time) or psychological (anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation). 

According to The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, research reveals that massage can be beneficial for neck pain and  low back pain.    Growing research confirms that massage is a helpful adjunct therapy to Western medicine for treatment of chronic pain.  https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/promising-approaches-to-pain-relief/   Referrals for massage are frequently made by chiropractors, physical therapists, physicians' assistants and nurses.  It  is clear that more people are taking steps to manage physical pain and mental stress so as to minimize inner disharmony and to enhance their quality of life.  

While massage and bodywork can help to balance the body, alternative modalities including Reiki, aromatherapy, craniosacral therapy, guided imagery, polarity therapy, and qi gong help to restore us emotionally, energetically, mentally and spiritually.

My company name, Integrative Holistic Healing, expresses my belief that by integrating alternative modalities and massage techniques as well as by providing a place of soothing tranquility, my clients have the opportunity to restore themselves to a state of well-being. 

Introduction to Reiki

Usui Reiki originated in Japan after Mikao Usui fasted and meditated for 21 days.  He developed a training program that guided a person's spiritual development through meditation, contemplation and Usui teate (Usui hands on healing method).  Before Usui died in 1926, he passed his knowledge on to Churijo Hayashi who was a naval Surgeon and Soto Zen practitioner.  You might wonder about the connection with surgery and Reiki...  it was not as unusual as you might think because naval officers at the time often used Reiki as first aid! 

Hayashi became known for his teaching of Reiki and in 1931, he formed his own Hayashi Reiki Kenkyu Kai (Hayashi’s Society for the Research of Spiritual Energy).  Having a vast medical background, Hayashi also wrote a text which included options for treatment of many disorders.

The next influencer in Reiki's history was first generation Japanese-American Hawayo Takata.  After her husband's death in 1935, declining health issues brought to her to Hayashi’s clinic in Japan.  While regaining her health, her curiosity grew about Reiki’s healing ability.  Although customarily not permitted to be taught to foreigners, Takata became a student of Reiki with Dr. Hayashi.  After Hayashi passed in 1940, Takata was the sole source of Reiki training in the West.  Although she was traditionally trained in Reiki, there are indications she took creative liberty in modifying some protocols as she believed Westerners did not have an adequate understanding of the human energy system.

Reiki as taught under Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai has not left Japan nor is it traditionally taught to non-Japanese.  In this form of Reiki a devoted spiritual practice is included, the result of which is somatic and physical balance.  The form of Reiki that has been practiced in the West since the 1940’s and with which we are most familiar can be attributed to Hayashi Reiki Kenkyu Kai with adaptations credited to Hawayo Takata.   As practiced in the West, this system of healing has been associated with the chakra system and focuses less on spiritual practice, more on therapeutic application. 

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health Practices have identified Reiki as a modality which interacts with energy fields, also called biofields, of the body.  In the East a premise for wellness suggests balanced life force energy is key to well-being and that when in balance, the natural result is health in body and mind.  As we know, when stressors begin to accumulate in the system, turmoil is created resulting in disease or an imbalanced mind.   According to Reiki expert Pamela Miles:  “Reiki has the potential to rebalance the biofield at the deepest vibrational level, thereby removing the subtle causes of illness while enhancing overall resilience.”

CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) has found a place with Western medicine because it has been found to provide relief of disorders where the symptoms tend to be somatic and subjectively experienced.  These symptoms, (i.e., pain, anxiety, stress) often result in a lower level of quality of life for the individual.  Studies reveal that application of Reiki results in decreased heart and respiration rates, increased parasympathetic activity, and measurable reduction of anxiety as well as systolic blood pressure.

I credit my personal Reiki practice with managing stress, anxiety and pain.  The deep level of relaxation brought by the experience of a Reiki session activates the parasympathetic nervous system while reducing autonomic nervous system response,  This is good RX for a higher level quality of life.  For this reason alone, Reiki can serve as a valuable adjunct therapy to allopathic medicine.   

Testimonials for Reiki and Guided Imagery

Linda W says:  "I had a history of traumatic events with going to the dentist. So much so that even a cleaning at the dentist would have me sleepless and nervous prior to the visit. I spoke with Eve about the anxiety I was experiencing, and decided to give the guided imagery a try. I know of the power of the mind, and that your thoughts create your reality, but as much as I tried to talk myself into not being fearful of the dentist visit, it just wasn't working. After a phone consult and interview with Eve, we scheduled an appointment. 

The session was extremely relaxing, but also empowering. The combination of the Reiki with the imagery session allowed the suggestions to go so deep into my being, that I could feel the transformation in thought from just the one session. I practiced my imagery session every day and upon the day of my dentist appointment, went in confidently, without anxiety. And the procedure went flawlessly. During the procedure, when my mind would slip to the place of fear, I was able to cancel it out with my more powerful tool of the imagery now imbibed in my memory. The session was truly transformational and I would highly recommend guided imagery for anyone wishing to shift from a current negative state into a more empowered state of being."  

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Nicole B wrote:  "I just graduated college, was studying for my CPA exam, whilst moving out and starting my career. I was having a hard time focusing on the exam and Eve suggested I try a Reiki and Imagery session. She helped me correlate things together such as a ring I wore that brought me strength and the color green that made me think of success. I tried the Imagery session the night before my exam and I truly believe my exam day was more successful because of her. 

Going into my exam, I was most worried about being too nervous and unable to focus because of the nervousness. I sat down at the exam seat and looked at the computer and remembered all the key points Eve pointed out to me the previous night. I felt more relaxed and that was key to my exam. She also gave me a cotton ball with a relaxing essential oil blend to put into my shirt. I correlated the smell, the ring, and the color green to my future success and my ability to stay calm and collected during the exam. I still use the essential oil blend when I need to focus."

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Elisabeth B said:  "I have been a client of Eve's for years. I have received various services from her, including Reiki, massage, aromatherapy and guided relaxations. As a clinician, I appreciate Eve's attentiveness to detail and ongoing commitment to developing her skills as a healer and massage therapist. Recently, I moved from New Jersey to New York City. Before taking my state boards, I contacted Eve to setup a guided relaxation over the phone the night before. She immediately relieved my excessive stress and worries through a soothing hour long, customized guided imagery. She provided practical energetic tools for emotional regulation during the exam and I am thrilled to say that I passed with a very high score. I have Eve to thank as a healer and guiding light in my life. She is highly skilled in a variety of healing techniques. I highly recommend her Reiki and guided imagery services. She is a true healer and energetic master."

Client Forms

Client Information Form
Reiki/Energy Work
Physician's Permission form
Physician's Referral form

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Integrative Holistic Healing, LLC
Eve Sicurella, LMBT, RMT, CLC
Mobile 732.890.8384
E-mail: evesicurella515@aol.com