No matter which ancient energy therapy modality you prefer – be it Reiki, Acupuncture or Qigong – all share one key belief: pain and emotional difficulties arise when energy pathways become imbalanced. When added to your treatment program these energy therapies can deepen mind-body connection while relieving anxiety or stress.
Many of these modalities involve minimal to no physical contact; some, like Reiki and Acupressure, do not even employ needles!
Reiki
Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is an ancient Japanese healing technique designed to restore an individual’s energy field back into balance. The name comes from Japanese phrases meaning “universal life energy” or “healing energy.” During a session, practitioners will place their hands over specific body areas beginning at the head and progressing down towards the feet, either feeling slight warming sensations or nothing at all – an experience usually very comforting! Sessions usually last 30- 60 minutes long.
Many people utilize Reiki for stress reduction and emotional healing. It makes an excellent addition to traditional health care and is often offered in hospitals or other medical settings; specifically it has become increasingly common as part of cancer treatments by helping mitigate side effects like nausea and pain reduction.
Reiki can also help with relaxation and sleep quality, providing individuals with chronic pain such as migraines, arthritis or fibromyalgia with relief by targeting their root causes – decreasing both severity and frequency of symptoms.
Reiki therapy has many other applications besides relieving anxiety and depression; it can heal broken bones quickly, reduce surgical discomfort and accelerate natural healing processes in the body. Reiki may be combined with other wellness practices like meditation or yoga for an holistic approach to well-being.
Athleticians have also discovered Reiki to be an effective tool for relieving pain and speeding up recovery, according to studies. Reiki therapy has proven itself incredibly successful at significantly decreasing pain from herniated discs, knee injuries and plantar fasciitis in athletes undergoing therapy sessions – it may also enhance exercise effectiveness and speed up rehabilitation processes.
Acupressure
If you are familiar with acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medical practice, then acupressure may already be familiar to you as a similar treatment option without needles. Instead, it relies on pressure applied by fingers, palms, elbows or other parts of the body to stimulate specific meridians for maximum benefit.
Acuppressure can provide relief for many issues, including stress and anxiety, nausea and pain relief, fatigue, allergies, digestive issues and more. Acupressure also improves sleep by relaxing the mind so you can fall asleep more easily at night and remain asleep throughout the night.
Applying pressure to various acupoints yourself can be done safely; however, for best results it is wise to visit an experienced practitioner for guidance as to the amount and location of pressure application. Acupressure should not pose any significant health risks for most individuals except for first trimester pregnancies or those suffering from bleeding disorders or serious health conditions.
Some cancer patients have reported that acupressure helps relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or other treatments, while further research is underway into its potential use in managing fatigue in individuals living with breast cancer.
One study, published in March 2022 by BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, discovered that combining auricular (on the ears) acupressure with anti-nausea medication proved more successful in relieving nausea and vomiting among women who underwent breast cancer chemotherapy than taking these measures alone.
Acupressure can also help relieve eye strain and fatigue caused by prolonged digital device usage. Acupuncture may also assist with sinus and allergy problems by stimulating specific points on the forehead or sternum.
To self-administer acupressure, locate one of the acupoints on the sole of your foot as described above and press gently with your thumb for about two minutes while taking deep breaths. When pressing, any soreness or sensitivity felt will indicate you’ve hit your mark – repeat as needed until symptoms subside or to manage chronic issues. Acupressure can also be applied to wrists and foreheads as part of a meditational practice to calm both physical and mental discomforts.
Qigong
Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice combining breathwork, movement and intention to promote health and well-being. Also referred to as Tai Chi, research indicates it may help manage pain, anxiety and stress levels.
“Qi” refers to one’s vital energy or life force, and qigong practices aim to optimize this flow throughout your body. Depending on which form is practiced, these exercises can also boost immunity, balance flexibility and strengthen bones – among many other benefits.
Qigong is generally low to no impact and can be practiced sitting or standing, making it accessible for most people. If you have an existing medical condition, however, it would be prudent to work with an experienced practitioner trained in providing tailored exercises to address specific needs.
Qigong generally activates the parasympathetic side of your autonomic nervous system – the part responsible for involuntary processes like breathing and digestion) which helps lower stress levels and blood pressure, while increasing circulation – something which may benefit those suffering from chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia or heart disease.
A 2024 study discovered that qigong may help improve sleep quality and alleviate symptoms associated with chronic illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it could improve balance and prevent falls. Though further research needs to be completed on this subject matter, this suggests qigong could provide useful complementary therapies.
Researchers conducted a recent randomized controlled trial and discovered that medical qigong, specifically tai chi and acrobatic qigong, proved significantly more effective than usual care in improving quality of life among breast cancer patients, especially when it came to anxiety, fatigue and depression.
Dr. Lin believes qigong may provide an inexpensive, safe, and effective complement to conventional therapies such as medications. She advises speaking with your healthcare providers and seeing what qigong can offer you; starting off slowly but steadily increasing session length can bring great rewards.
Meditation
Meditation is a nonreligious mental practice in which you focus your awareness on an object of attention, such as breath or the mantra “Om”. Meditation has its origins in ancient philosophies and various world religions, serving as an antistress method and possibly even decreasing risk for cardiovascular disease. Meditation also increases peace of mind, enhances self-image and self-esteem improvement and provides healing benefits on all fronts – mentally, physically and emotionally.
Meditation helps your brain become more efficient at focusing and remaining calm. Although concentration requires an active effort, with practice it becomes easier. Many meditators make the mistaken assumption that meditation means becoming someone different or shutting off thoughts and feelings; but actually it teaches your mind to observe its thoughts and emotions without judgment.
Meditation not only reduces stress and anxiety but it can also boost immunity, promote good sleep quality and help manage chronic health conditions better – not to mention provide additional medical treatment management solutions.
Energy therapies rely on the theory that illness results from blockages in invisible energy fields surrounding and penetrating the human body, commonly referred to as the biofield. Energy healing treatments use light, sound and magnets to manipulate these biofields for therapeutic use.
While energy therapies lack scientific backing to back their claims, practitioners still claim they can effectively treat various health conditions through Reiki, acupuncture and healing touch – among others. These complementary therapy techniques may be used alongside traditional medicines.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that complementary and integrative health therapies have been shown to alter certain areas of the brain by altering neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers between nerve cells. This alteration in brain chemistry could explain why complementary health practices have been linked with positive results, although specific details regarding how it happens remain to be researched.
