Alexander Skye - The pocket encyclopedia of healing touch therapies: 136 techniques that alleviate pain, calm the mind, and promote health

TECHNIQUES THAT ALLEVIATE PAIN, CALM THE MIND, AND PROMOTE HEALTH

SKYE ALEXANDER, Author of 10-Minute Feng Shui
ANNE SCHNEIDER, Sei Chem Reiki Master

Text 2008, 2010, 2011 Fair Winds Press

First published in the USA in 2010 by
Fair Winds Press, a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, MA 01915-6101

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced or utilized, in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, without prior
permission in writing from the publisher.

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ISBN-13: 978-1-59233-452-0
ISBN-10: 1-59233-452-0

Digital edition: 978-1-61059-381-6
Hardcover edition: 978-1-59233-452-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available

Photography by Jack Deutsch

Illustrations by Mike Wanke

Printed and bound in China

The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or medical practitioner. Please see your health care provider before beginning any new health program.

For thousands of years in various parts of the world, people have used their hands to ease physical and psychological pain.

The Chinese developed acupressure by finding and mapping pressure points on the body that, when activated by steady touch, spread healing energy through invisible meridians. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks diagrammed points on the feet and hands that correspond to organs and tissues, in a form of massage called reflexology. With roots in Japan, the newer practice of Reiki has stimulated interest in an energy created by a higher power and channeled by those who attune themselves to it.

Today, there is a surge of interest in all three natural healing methods. This interactive guide reveals the colorful names, techniques, and principles of each modality. Acupressure, Reiki, and reflexology can be used to treat yourself or others, but are not substitutes for professional medical care.

Acupressure

One of the worlds oldest healing modalities, acupressure has been used in Asia for thousands of years to relieve a wide range of common ailments. Although virtually unknown in the West until the middle of the twentieth century, acupressure is becoming popular as a self-help and first-aid treatment that supports the bodys natural healing ability.

This gentle and effective form of therapeutic touch follows the same general principles as acupuncture, but its less invasive. Instead of inserting needles into certain points on the body, you apply pressure with the thumbs and fingertips to stimulate the flow of life energyor Qi, as its called in Chinato the affected area(s).

Acupressure facilitates the smooth, harmonious flow of Qi through a system of invisible channels known as meridians that run through the body. Pressing a point can relieve discomfort locallythat is, at the place where the point existsand/or in another part of the body that may be quite some distance from the points actual position. Thats because activating a particular point affects the flow of Qi through a meridian, generating healing along the way. For best results, you may want to stimulate several points together.

Reiki

Reiki is a relatively new practice, founded in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui (18651926). Reiki is practiced by laying on hands to promote relaxation and healing. Rei means spiritual wisdom and Ki means universal energy. Reiki Masters train and attune all students as they advance in the levels, or degrees, of Reiki. These teaching Masters can trace their lineage back to Dr. Usui.

The attunements you receive from a Reiki Master serve to open or turn on your ability to channel Reiki energy. This ability and your intention enable you to help yourself and others. Reiki is available to everyone, no matter what age or illness.

Reiki achieves healing at multiple levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Reiki can do no harm. Its goal is the highest level of healing. Note that Reiki healing does not mean curing, though many times this is the result. With Reiki, there is always the experience of an energy shift. It may be very subtle, even imperceptible, but the Reiki energy that enters the body raises the lower vibrations of the bodys cellular energies to a higher level.

Reiki is considered intelligentit guides itself to the places in the body, mind, and soul in need of healing. The Reiki practitioner is simply the one who turns on the switch.

Reflexology

Thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese used the art of reflexology, often in combination with aromatherapy, to heal myriad ills. Reflexology is a type of massage that involves stimulating specific points mainly on the feet, but sometimes on the hands or other places on the body as well.

The Bible mentions the custom of anointing feet, which was likely a form of reflexology. Evidence shows that centuries ago many Native Americans used foot massage to treat injuries and ailments. Brought to the West around 1915 by an American doctor named William Fitzgerald, this age-old therapy is again being embraced as a gentle and effective form of therapeutic touch.

You can do reflexology on yourself or someone else. The experience is usually both pleasant and therapeuticpsychologically as well as physically. You can use your thumb and fingers, knuckles, and/or the heel of your hand to massage and manipulate the feet. A lubricant, such as massage oil or lotionespecially one scented with essential oilscan greatly enhance the treatment.

If your goal is to remedy a particular problem, concentrate your efforts on the area of the foot that relates to the afflicted body part. Some ailments, such as flu, affect more than one part of the body, in which case youll want to stimulate all related reflexology points. Results can be quite swift, and often only a few treatments of fifteen minutes each will produce noticeable improvement. Some conditions may require regular, continued attention. Remember, however, that reflexology is not a substitute for professional medical care.

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