Tag Archives: healing

Now Booking Distance Reiki

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I’ve been doing distance healing and Reiki work for many, many years, but hadn’t really considered adding it to the regular services of my practice until recently.

Since I’m not providing in-office services for the time being, I have set up a new scheduling program specifically for booking distance Reiki during this time of COVID-19 concerns.

What is Distance Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction, relaxation and healing. This modality is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through us and gives us life. If this energy is low, or blocked, then we are more likely to feel stressed or ill. When this energy flow is increased and blockages removed, we feel more positive and healthy.

Since this life force, in essence, flows through everything, it makes Reiki an ideal method of helping people long distance. A practitioner can focus on the person receiving Reiki using a photo or personal item and special techniques learned in advanced Reiki training.

How Will a Distance Reiki Session Work?

reiki kanji
An example of a Reiki Kanji

With this service, you schedule a day and time, just as if you were going to come into my office. However, at the time of your appointment, you can just stay home. I recommend taking a nap or meditating, or otherwise finding some place quiet to sit. During that time, I will send you Reiki and other healing/calming vibes.

I”ll contact you before your session to find out if you’re looking for any particular focus or just want me to send you the Reiki energy and let it go where it needs to go. Reiki is great for focusing on healing, immune boosting, and just overall stress and anxiety.

What Does a Distance Reiki Session Cost?

now booking distance Reiki sessions
CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Since I don’t have to do laundry or sanitize after you, the fee for these sessions will be $20 for 30 minutes, $20 for 45 minutes, or $40 for 60 minutes. You will be required to pay for the session at the time of scheduling.

I am back to using my regular MassageBook schedule to manage all appointments. New clients may not be able to schedule their first Distance Reiki appointment online, please contact me and I will get you set up. After your first appointment, you can book online regularly. Thank you for your patience!

Meanwhile…

If you would like to know more about Reiki, you can check out my About Reiki page or visit Reiki.org. To schedule, click Book Now on my Facebook page or website and select Distance Reiki from the service menu.

Feel free to message me with any questions! Stay healthy! ~Tricia

Distance Reiki Testimonial:

I asked Tricia for a distance reiki session for a relative in another country. Did not tell my relative because I thought she might think I am nuts. A few days later I talked to her on the phone and she told me she had slept like a baby—the best night in a very long time. She was so surprised and pleased. ~Stefanie

When Is Massage NOT a Good Idea?

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There is no doubt that massage is wonderful. It has many positive health and wellness benefits. It’s relaxing, it feels great when you’re feeling not so great. There is also no doubt that people sometimes overlook/underestimate the risks of massage in certain situations.

What Makes A Massage Risky?

The main culprit that can make massage a contraindication is its effects on the circulatory system. Pick a spot on your arm or hand where you can maybe see some good veins. Rub your hand down your arm towards that vein with about the pressure your massage therapist does. You’ll probably notice that it stands out more as you push; this is because you’re pushing the blood through that vein at a higher rate than normal.

During a massage, muscle is not the only thing getting pushed around. Massage includes moving the blood around in your veins, the fluids in your lymphatic system, and the other various hormones and chemicals floating around in your body.

What does this all mean?

It means that if a person’s veins or circulatory system are compromised, massage may be a bad idea. We need to know if your bones are brittle or you have joint replacements. Tell us if you have immune system problems, or you have herniated discs or spinal issues. Illness such as the flu, infections, and disease with serious complications are a red flag when it comes to massage.

But My Health Issues Are Private!

I realize that it can feel awkward to share your health information with someone other than your doctor. Especially if it’s someone you don’t know very well. It’s important to realize that while massage may seem like a pretty safe therapy, there really are cases where it can do more harm than good. Rest assured that I follow health information privacy guidance, and do not share your health information with anyone. The online form is HIPAA compliant, and I keep your paper intake forms locked up when unattended.

Get Your Doc Involved

If you are under a doctor’s care, I will likely ask that you receive a written recommendation for massage. I like to make sure that they understand that massage is increasing circulation and lymph flow. Doctors don’t always remember that massage is not purely about relaxation. I may ask you to talk to your cardiologist, endocrinologist, obstetrician, or other specialist you may be working with.

It’s All About You

It may seem awkward or annoying to have to answer these questions and communicate between your various health care providers. However, it’s ultimately all about keeping you safe and healthy, as well as relaxed and pain free. If your doctor does not recommend massage, there are other options that may help you. This includes Reiki therapy, which does not physically manipulate the muscles or circulatory system

As with any wellness regimen, it’s important that all of your healthcare providers work together to ensure that you are receiving safe, effective care. If you have any concerns about privacy or your health issues related to massage, you can always contact me to discuss them! 

Be Well,
Tricia 

5 Ways Massage Can Improve Your Health

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5 ways massage can improve your health

Wondering how massage can improve your health? The American Massage Therapy Association publishes lots of research on the benefits of massage. Check out this collection of links to different research information!

1. Reduce stress – Stress can take emotional and physical tolls. Massage therapy may relieve stress. In addition, it can help related issues such as tension headaches.

2. Get better sleep – Research indicates that massage can improve health by improving your sleep. This is especially helpful in people with chronic pain, anxiety, and stress.

3. Boost mental health and wellness – Research suggests that along with symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression may be directly affected with massage therapy.

4. Manage pain – Pain can affect your quality of life, not to mention, impede recovery from illness or injury. Research shows massage can help low-back pain, headaches, neck pain, and more.

5. Increase range of motion – Elite and recreational athletes alike can benefit from massage therapy. Massage can help reduce muscle tension, improve exercise performance and prevent injuries.

Here are some more posts that answer frequently asked questions:

Source: AMTAmassage.org

What is Reiki?

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ReikiReiki has been steadily growing in public awareness in recent years. Chances are, you’ve at least heard the term, or seen it and wondered how to pronounce it (Ray-Key). In a nutshell, Reiki is a simple, safe method of natural healing and self-care that anyone can learn to use.

Where Did Reiki Come From?

While some form Reiki or energy healing itself has been practiced for centuries, this particular method of “laying on hands” for stress reduction, relaxation, and promoting healing was discovered by Mikao Usui after a spiritual experience on Mt. Kurama in Japan in 1922. He first practiced this healing method on family and friends, eventually developing into a system that became known as “Usui Reiki Healing Method”. A decade later, Reiki made its way to the West via Hawaii with the help of Mrs. Hawayo Takata.

What Does Reiki Mean?

reiki kanjiThe name Reiki comes from two Japanese Kanji, Rei and Ki. Rei is generally defined as meaning “universal” and representing body, mind and spirit. Ki is life energy, and you’ll find similar concepts throughout the world, such as chi, prana, qi, or ti. It is the non-physical energy that animates all living things. Therefore, Reiki can be generally translated to “universal life force”.

How Does Reiki Work?

Individuals who use Reiki are channeling, or provides a conduit for, this universal life force. Unlike most types of energy healing, Reiki is considered to be an energy that can only be channeled by someone who has been attuned to it. In the simplest sense, an attunement means that adjustments are made on a spiritual consciousness (Rei) level that enable the student to channel Reiki. Once you have received an attunement, it’s as simple as placing your hands on yourself or others with the intention of healing.
Life energy (Ki) flows through the body in energy pathways, through organs, and around us in an energy field (aura). When this energy flow is slowed or blocked, it can cause a decreased functioning in the organs or systems of the body and lead to illness. During a Reiki session, the universal consciousness (Rei) assesses where the energy flow is slowed or blocked, and the energy is directed to where it is needed, breaking up blockages, clearing the energy pathways, and allowing Ki to flow naturally.

How is Reiki Used?

wellness-285590_640Reiki is a powerful, yet gentle healing method. Because its source is that of spiritual or universal consciousness, it is believed that this spiritual consciousness always knows what a person needs and will adjust the healing for each individual person. As a result, it can be complementary to other forms of treatment, including medical and psychological care.
Reiki is offered to patients in hospitals across the country as part of hospital or clinic sponsored programs, or as part of hospice care. This includes the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where it is offered to both inpatient and outpatient oncology patients as part of their whole patient integrative care process. Locally, our own Eastern Maine Medical Center has a volunteer Reiki program that is available to patients in all of their inpatient departments and the outpatient Cancer Care of Maine location.
Studies have shown that Reiki can decrease recovery time from surgery, improve patient attitude, and reduce unwanted medication side effects. A research study in 2000 at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut indicated that Reiki improved sleep, reduced pain, and reduced nausea, as well as reducing anxiety during pregnancy. It has been used to aid in healing everything from colds to cancer.

Who Can Learn Reiki?

meditation-1384758_640Anyone can learn Reiki. You don’t need any particular education level or spiritual belief system to use it. It doesn’t even take years of practice to be able to use it successfully. Once a student receives the attunement, they have Reiki and can use it.
Many massage therapists are introduced to Reiki as part of their massage licensing training, and elect to continue providing Reiki as part of their massage practice. Nurses, healthcare aides, and hospice care volunteers often learn Reiki to help their patients during the course of their regular care. Everyday people can learn to use it to benefit aging parents, family members suffering from illness, or just as part of their regular self-care routine.

Want to Learn More?

I’m offering a special for the month of July! “Try Reiki” – You can try a half an hour Reiki healing session for $20. Just contact me to schedule your appointment or book online at MassageBook and choose “Try Reiki”.
If you would like to learn even more and receive your Reiki attunement, stay tuned for Reiki I and II classes coming soon. You can receive information about when Reiki classes will be held by following Birch Tree Wellness on Facebook or signing up for the monthly newsletter. If you would just like to ask some questions about Reiki, you’re always welcome to contact me.

Reiki Resources:

Just for today, I will not be angry.

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will be grateful.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

Introducing Intuitive Bodywork

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Intuitive BodyworkWhat is Intuitive Bodywork?

Sometimes maybe you feel a little bit off, and you’re not quite sure if massage is what you need, or Reiki, or something completely different. During an Intuitive Bodywork session, I will combine elements of massage, stretches, aromatherapy, Reiki, and other energy work, depending upon what it feels like you need intuitively.

How Does It Work?

At the beginning of your appointment, we’ll talk a little bit about what trouble you’re having. It can be mind, body, or spirit. Then you’ll hop on the massage table, undressed to your level of comfort, and covered with a sheet and/or blanket. During your session, I’ll start with Reiki at your head and move down your body, using my intuition to determine if you need some energy in a particular area, or maybe your neck needs to stretch, or you need some massage work on your shoulders and back, or foot reflexology. Once the session is finished, I’ll leave the room and give you a few minutes to collect yourself and get off the table. Before you leave, we can talk a bit about what I did, what things I might have picked up intuitively, and how you’re feeling.

What’s Intuitive About It?

I define intuition as that “knowing” or “gut feeling” when you perceive or know something without necessarily having a rational reason for it. Examples might be when your phone rings and you know who is calling without looking at caller ID; or you might have the urge to call someone and you find out they are having a bad day. Intuition can be practiced and developed, used to help guide yourself and others in day to day life.
I’ve spent many years helping people on an intuitive level, with energy work and spiritual guidance, as well as helping people learn to recognize and use their intuition. I feel that mixing intuition in with benefits of massage, reiki and bodywork is a natural progression into helping people heal themselves on a body, mind, and spirit level. If you would like to give Intuitive Bodywork a try, just contact me or schedule an appointment online today!
~Tricia