Mind Body Medicine

It is my belief that the mind of the patient plays a central role in recovery. The placebo effect has proved irrevocably that the mind can affect and improve a patient's condition. It therefore follows that if a patient can change the way they view their illness the body will respond accordingly. Often recovery will take place after medical preconceptions are shattered, a mind shift has taken place and new hope is encountered. The mind-body connection is complex and is such a poorly understood concept that it is often ignored. However, for me it has been a valuable tool in healing and I have studied many books on the subject. I have summarised the basic points below, and lines of thought that I believe should form the foundations of an unshakeable faith in the power of your body to be able to heal itself.

My treatments usually incorporate a meditation designed to completely relax the body and calm the mind. This achieves a state of complete calm and readiness for change. The client is encouraged to practice meditation daily throughout the course of treatments in which they are able to focus their mind to the single intent of healing. Intention, however, is most powerful when coupled with acceptance.

Acceptance plays an enormous role in healing, because it is the path of least resistance and as such releases a huge amount of energy.

With this philosophy in mind the meditations give the client the opportunity to step back from the struggle with the present and realise their attachment to the outcome; whilst always remaining focused on the single intention. This calm, determination sends a, clear message to the body

'It's time to heal!'

The healing mechanism is available to us already it exists in us all; it follows the same basic laws of nature and physics that can be found in all living beings. Reiki follows those same rules and during my treatments I will often mention the natural intelligence of the body. The body is like a river its cells, molecules and atoms will all be replaced in the next seven months! Nothing is static within the body and again, this simple fact opens up limitless opportunities for change.

Finally, illness may be a manifestation of an area of our lives that is lacking in attention. For instance, I know in all certainty that my illness was caused by a stressful job. I was lucky enough to be able to remove that obstacle by leaving the job and I have been able to tackle stress through meditation and Reiki. But my body was sending me a message in the form of my illness. I responded and no longer suffer. It is important to ask yourself why you are ill? Maybe there is an answer.