Why I Turned to Reiki for CIRS
Living with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) has been a long, exhausting journey. The constant battle with fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and other debilitating symptoms often left me feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. I had tried countless treatments, from medications to supplements, but nothing seemed to address the underlying causes of my illness in a meaningful way. That’s when I stumbled upon Reiki, a form of energy healing, and it turned out to be one of the most profound and transformative experiences of my CIRS journey.
Like many others struggling with CIRS, I was desperate for something that would help me manage my symptoms in a holistic way. Conventional treatments were important, but I wanted to try something different that could help my body restore balance on a deeper level. I had heard about Reiki through a few friends who had experienced benefits with chronic illness, and though I didn’t fully understand how it worked, I was open to trying anything that might bring relief.
Reiki, a form of energy healing that originated in Japan, involves the practitioner channeling healing energy into the patient through their hands. It’s based on the idea that life force energy flows through all of us, and when this energy becomes blocked or unbalanced, it can lead to illness. Reiki is meant to help restore the flow of energy in the body, promote relaxation, and support the body’s natural ability to heal itself. I was skeptical at first, but at that point in my journey, I was willing to explore any avenue that might offer a glimmer of relief.
What to Expect from a Reiki Session
The first time I went for a Reiki session, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d read a little about it, but the experience itself was unlike anything I had tried before. I lay down on a treatment table, fully clothed, while the Reiki practitioner gently placed their hands on or near different areas of my body. I was surprised at how soothing the experience was. The practitioner didn’t apply pressure or make any physical adjustments; instead, they simply held their hands over or lightly on specific points of my body.
In the beginning, I didn’t feel much—just a calm sense of peace as the session began. But as the session continued, something shifted. I felt a warm, almost tingling sensation where the practitioner’s hands were placed, as if the energy was flowing through me. I began to feel deeply relaxed, and my mind quieted. It was unlike any other relaxation technique I had experienced. I found myself drifting into a meditative state, free from the constant barrage of pain and fatigue that I carried with me on a daily basis.
After the session, I felt lighter, more grounded, and more at ease—almost as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I wasn’t fully pain-free or symptom-free, but I felt a deep sense of calm that I hadn’t experienced in months. It was a subtle but significant shift that gave me hope that Reiki could help in my healing process.
How Reiki Helped Me Manage My CIRS Symptoms
Over the next few weeks, I continued to see my Reiki practitioner regularly, and with each session, I noticed gradual but meaningful improvements. Here are some of the key benefits I experienced from Reiki as I incorporated it into my healing journey for CIRS:
1. Stress Relief and Emotional Balance
One of the most immediate and noticeable effects of Reiki was its ability to calm my nervous system. With CIRS, I was often in a heightened state of stress, with my body constantly reacting to inflammation, pain, and fatigue. Reiki helped to lower my stress levels and bring me into a state of relaxation, which, in turn, helped reduce the intensity of my symptoms. The sense of peace I felt after each session gave me the mental clarity I needed to manage my condition more effectively.
2. Reduction in Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a core issue in CIRS, and it was a major contributor to my pain and fatigue. After a few Reiki sessions, I noticed that my pain levels began to decrease. I experienced less joint pain, muscle tightness, and overall discomfort. The energy healing seemed to support my body in releasing the inflammation that had been building up for so long. I’m not saying Reiki is a quick fix, but I felt that it complemented my other treatments by helping to reduce the ongoing inflammatory response in my body.
3. Improved Energy Levels
Fatigue is one of the most draining and pervasive symptoms of CIRS, and no matter how much rest I got, I always seemed to wake up feeling exhausted. Reiki sessions helped me tap into a deeper level of energy, and over time, I found that I had more stamina during the day. I wasn’t as tired or drained by mid-afternoon, and I was able to engage in activities I once avoided because I simply didn’t have the energy. Reiki helped restore some balance to my body’s energy systems, which made a huge difference in my daily life.
4. Better Sleep and Restorative Rest
CIRS often disrupts sleep patterns, leaving me awake at odd hours, unable to fall asleep, or waking up feeling unrested. After Reiki, I found that my sleep quality improved significantly. Reiki helped me relax deeply, which allowed my body to enter a more restorative state during the night. I woke up feeling more refreshed, and my body seemed better able to handle the challenges of CIRS the next day. I didn’t experience perfect sleep every night, but the improvement was noticeable and made a real difference in my recovery.
5. Supporting Detoxification
One of the challenges of CIRS is the accumulation of toxins in the body, especially biotoxins like those from mold. While Reiki isn’t a detox therapy in the traditional sense, I noticed that it helped support my body’s natural detoxification processes. I felt less “stuck” and more in tune with my body’s ability to eliminate waste and toxins. This helped to alleviate some of the sluggishness and heaviness I often felt.
A Holistic Approach to Healing
What I love about Reiki is that it works on multiple levels: physical, emotional, and energetic. It isn’t just about reducing pain or fatigue; it’s about restoring balance within the body. Reiki helped me address the deeper, more subtle aspects of my CIRS, which allowed me to heal from the inside out.
I’ve learned that healing from CIRS is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about supporting my body in every way possible. Reiki has been a vital part of my holistic approach to healing, alongside other treatments like acupuncture, diet changes, and mold avoidance. When combined, these therapies have given me a broader toolkit to manage my condition and improve my overall well-being.
Conclusion
Reiki has been a powerful and transformative part of my healing journey with CIRS. While it hasn’t cured me or completely eliminated my symptoms, it has helped me find relief in ways I hadn’t imagined possible. From reducing inflammation and pain to improving my sleep and emotional balance, Reiki has supported me in reclaiming some sense of control over my body and my health. If you’re living with CIRS or any chronic illness and are looking for an alternative or complementary therapy, I highly recommend considering Reiki. It might just be the healing touch your body needs to restore balance and vitality.
