Preparation Advice for your Reiki Treatment
Reiki is a deeply relaxing and restorative experience. Below is some advice that will help you enhance and get the most from your treatment.
Diet and Nutrition
- Eat a light meal or snack an hour or two before your treatment to prevent you feeling hungry and reduce the likelihood of indigestion. Avoid sugar and caffeine before the session if they over-stimulate you to allow you to relax as much as possible during the treatment. The digestive system is sensitive to energy shifts and it’s not uncommon for your stomach to make noises during the session. This is nothing to be embarrassed or alarmed about.
- Hydration—drink plenty of water to ensure that your body is well-hydrated and ready to receive the Reiki energy. Our bodies are made up of 50-70% water and every cell relies on enough water to carry out essential processes. Drink a large glass of water an hour before your session to support your body’s detoxification process. Try to avoid alcohol in the 12 hours before your treatment as it has a dehydrating effect on the body and puts extra stress on your liver which is essential in your body’s detoxification process.
For the Session
- Clothing—your comfort is key. You remain fully clothed throughout the treatment. Wear soft, comfortable clothing that does not restrict you. Also remove any jewellery that could bother or distract you during your treatment. Wear or bring a pair of warm socks to prevent your feet from getting cold as you will be asked to remove your shoes for the duration of the treatment.
- Arrival—please arrive on time so that you do not feel rushed. Unfortunately, I don’t have a waiting area and early arrivals may not be able to be accommodated.
- Set an intention for your session (what you hope to achieve or gain) and be open to discussing any expectations you may have. You may wish to write down your intention and any questions you might have to bring with you to your session. Be willing to share a summary of your medical history and any health concerns you wish to address. We will cover this in the chat before your session to ensure you can fully relax and get the most from your treatment.
These are just some suggestions as I’m often asked how to best prepare for a Reiki session. In reality, anyone can receive a Reiki treatment at any time and under any circumstances and still benefit from the experience.
Aftercare Advice for your Reiki Treatment
Please rest for 5 – 10 minutes following any therapy and take this time to read this aftercare advice sheet.
All forms of energy healing and massage release toxins and tensions from within the body.
These will be released over 2 or more days following your therapy. To enhance the healing effect on your body it would be advisable to follow this advice over the next couple of days.
• Hydrate well—Drink plenty of water. This assists the body’s detoxification process.
• Avoid Strenuous exercise, over-exertion, and any stressful situations immediately after a treatment, which may undo all the good work the therapy has achieved! Rest will help the body to detoxify and enhance healing.
• Diet—Avoid eating a heavy meal after any treatment, eat lighter meals while the body is using its energy for detoxification and healing. Avoid unhealthy, highly-processed foods.
• Smoking, Caffeine & Alcohol—Avoid these immediately after a treatment and limit your consumption over the next couple of days while your body continues to detoxify.
General Health and Wellbeing
The advice above is important to follow after treatment, but we should all be trying to live as healthy a lifestyle as we can for lasting benefits. The following advice is general common sense.
- Avoid unhealthy and addictive habits
- Exercise regularly (within your own capability and don’t over do it)
- Eat as much fresh vegetables and fruit as you can
- Eat a balanced diet, avoid extreme dieting ‘fads’
- Make sure you take time for yourself to do something you enjoy
- Take time to rest and relax
- Consider meditation, even in a very simple form will help you relax and focus your life
I recommend a continued healthy diet and lifestyle for lasting health and wellbeing.
General Reactions following Holistic Therapies and Healing
Different people will experience different responses or reactions, and some may not feel anything at all. Healing therapies often take time to realign your energy system and ease any physical or emotional symptoms.
Notice Any Changes
In the hours and days following your treatment, notice any changes you may be experiencing. It’s not uncommon to forget things so it can be helpful to make a written note of changes or sensations. Notice how you are feeling emotionally and for how long you feel that way. If you were experiencing physical pain before your treatment, are you still feeling it as strongly. Notice if any symptoms you were experiencing have intensified or lessened and for how long you feel this difference. If you were feeling physically or mentally drained, how are you feeling now. Everyone reacts uniquely to Reiki energy and taking note of any physical, mental, emotional or spiritual changes, big or small, will allow you to see how it affects you personally.
Common Reactions
The following reactions may occur and are completely normal:
- Initial feeling of tiredness due to the release of toxins.
- Relief from stress and muscular tension.
- Aching in the muscles due to release of toxins and nerve fibres responding to the treatment.
- An increased feeling of relaxation, calm and tranquillity.
- Some clients may feel emotional and tearful afterwards. When we relax, we allow our emotions to surface before releasing them, this is a healthy reaction and nothing to be alarmed about.
- Feeling of heightened awareness and clarity in mental thought (often transient).
- Also, some physical symptoms or old illnesses/conditions may appear for a short time which are being cleared out of your body where they have been lying dormant. This healing event often referred to as a ‘healing crisis’, and is perfectly normal. It is a sign of an energetic shift and shows that the therapy is working for you.
Reiki is intended as complementary healing to support wellbeing and should not replace medical diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. I am trained and qualified in the therapies and treatments I offer but I do not claim to treat or cure medical conditions. If you are at all concerned with any symptom(s) you are experiencing please contact your GP, and contact me if you have any questions or concerns.