Shoulder flexibility exercises

In part 1 on the discussion of the mechanisms of healing I explored the range of opinions on how Reiki works.  I want to continue this discussion by focusing on some interesting research which supports my belief that I act as a channel for universal energy when I am giving Reiki treatments. During the 1980’s, Dr Robert Becker, Dr John Zimmerman, and Max Cade each investigated what happens whilst people perform therapies like Reiki. They found that not only do the brain wave patterns of practitioner and receiver become synchronised in the alpha state, but they pulse in unison with the earth’s magnetic field, known as the Schuman Resonance. During these moments, the biomagnetic field of the practitioner’s hands is at least 10000 times greater than normal, and not as a result of internal body current. The synchronisation between practitioner & receiver in the alpha state allows left-right balance,  and stimulates deep relaxation and meditation. Which explains why all my clients state Reiki is very relaxing. Toni Bunnell (1997) suggests that the linking of energy fields between practitioner and earth allows the practitioner to draw on the ‘infinite energy source’ or ‘universal energy field’ via the Schuman Resonance. Professor Paul Davies and Dr John Gribben in The Matter Myth (1991), discuss the quantum physics view of a ‘living universe’ in which everything is connected in a ‘living web of interdependence’. References Zimmerman J., ‘New technologies detect effects of healing hands’, Brain/Mind Bulletin, Vol 10, No 16. ‎Sept 30, 1985.‎ Becker, Robert O. ‘The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life’, Pub: William ‎Morrow & Co. Inc. 1985‎ Bunnell T., ‘A tentative mechanism for healing’, Positive Health, Nov/Dec 1997.‎ Cade M. & Coxhead N., ‘The Awakened Mind;Biofeedback and the Development of Higher States of ‎Awareness’, pub: Element Books, 1996 (reprint).‎

Previously I discussed how dehydration & lack of sodium or potassium may cause muscle cramps.  I now want to explore other nutritional factors. Calcium Calcium plays an essential role in muscle contractions.  Some active people report their problem with cramping disappears when they boost their calcium intake.  This anecdotal evidence is disputed by scientists who state that when dietary deficiencies of of calcium occur, calcium is released from the bones to provide what the body needs for proper muscle contraction.  If you are plagued by muscle cramps, it may be worth trying to increase your intake of dairy or other calcium rich foods to see if it helps. Magnesium Just as muscles need calcium to contract they need magnesium to relax. Roffe et al demonstrated that magnesium helps reduce leg cramps that occur in the middle of the night.

Reference

Roffe C¹, Sills S, Crome P, Jones P (2002), Randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial of magnesium citrate in the treatment of chronic persistent leg cramps. Med Sci Monit. 2002 May;8(5): p326-30.

As things are now back to full swing after the summer holiday, and before things get too budy, I wanted to share with you a piece of research that while being 3 years old is still highly relevant.  Researchers were looking at the effectiveness of listening to self-administered hypnosis stress reduction CD's to boost resilience. Eleven subjects took part in the study, all healthy, normally coping and functioning individuals - were provided with a self-administered hypnosis stress reduction CD, to be used for a minimum of 5 days a week over a 12 week period.  The CD contained two different hypnosis tracks, one to be played before sleep (25 minutes in duration) and the other to be played in the morning (lasting 7 minutes). The aim of the CD was to recondition the stress response, by minimising the participants "excessive emotional and physical reaction to perceived work and life stressors, while facilitating their coping skills and resilience."   Chronic stress and anxiety have been associated with inflammatory changes in the body, and high level of inflammation have been lined to a number of acute and chronic conditions.  Blood tests were used to measure the level of inflammatory response and self-reported measures (using the StressScan assesment) were taken pre and post intervention. While the study size is small, it provides some suggestive evidence that a self-administered stress reduction program that is time efficient may be clinically effective for modifying the stress response and boosting resilience. Reference Schoen M and Nowack K (2013)  Reconditioning the stress response with hypnosis CD reduces the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and influences resilience: a pilot study.  Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2013; 19 83-88 http://www.ctcpjournal.com/article/S1744-3881(12)00088-6/abstract