The following article was written by Registered Dental Assistant Sarah Al-Aghawani, in completion of requirements to become an IABDM Certified Biological Assistant. Congratulations, Sarah!
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The International Center for Reiki Training states that Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.
As a Registered Dental Assistant in a biological dental office, I was eager and thrilled to introduce my Reiki Master healing as a natural remedy for a patient’s oral cavity pain and anxiety relief supplement rather than pharmaceutical drugs, which can be addicting. Reiki is the perfect alternative as Reiki healing goes right to the root issue of what is causing the pain or anxiety in the dental office. Many articles state this observation (1).
My approach with Reiki healing with patients is to first check their medical forms to see if they have any medical issues and if they know about Reiki or have used it in the past as a supplement. If I notice that the patient is experiencing any pain or anxiety, I explain Reiki healing and how it can help them during their appointment. I explain to them that I do not need to physically touch them with my hands and that I just need to hover my hands over their back for anxiety relief or their cheeks for any oral cavity discomfort.
My direct experiences have been with both adults and children. I recently observed a child who was very anxious and crying as he was undergoing local anesthetic for his scheduled filling. I kindly asked his mother if it was okay to use the Reiki Healing Hands method on her son to see if he would be receptive to the energy. She graciously accepted, and I went straight away and hovered my hands over the sobbing child. His breathing started to slow down and his tears were becoming less apparent. The Reiki was able to show the patient a trusting energy bond which in return made him feel more comfortable sitting in our chair.
My experience with an adult patient was during a surgical extraction appointment.
This patient was very anxious and concerned about the possible post-operative pain. I explained that I am Reiki Master and that I had an energy healing technique that helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and pain. She agreed, and I went right to healing mode.
I placed my hands in a hover position over her back first. I then went into a deep meditative state and actively administered intentional healing. She explained that her back got very warm and tingly. She also felt a rush of calming energy go through her. This validated that the Reiki was actively sent successfully. This made me very happy to hear, and she explained that she did feel relief and that she was very grateful for the healing.
At the end of her appointment, her local anesthetic began to wear off. I then offered her some post-treatment Reiki Healing to send her home with for relief. I explained that Reiki Healing Energy boosts the natural healing process of the body. Reiki has been known to create a faster recovery within the body in regards to wounds, disease, and any imbalance of the body. It creates a balanced energy within the body to become at the optimal level of health that is needed to heal and recuperate.
A study done at the Helfgott Research Institute at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, Oregon, showed that Reiki has a measurable effect on the immune system (2). This study examined the effect of Reiki on the white blood cell counts of volunteers who were randomized into three groups: 1) those who received Reiki, 2) those who were relaxed, and 3) those who received neither Reiki nor relaxation. Blood was drawn for examination before the treatment, immediately after, and four hours afterwards. The results showed that Reiki enhanced the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells in those who received Reiki. Because this was a small, preliminary study, the results provide the basis for further study of the ability of Reiki to make healthy improvements in those that receive it.
The blood samples that were taken were measured for hemoglobin and hematocrit values. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carry oxygen. Hematocrit is the ratio of red blood cells to total blood volume. The people in the experimental group who received Reiki experienced a significant change in these values, with 28 percent experiencing an increase and the remainder experiencing a decrease. The people in the control group who did not receive Reiki experienced no significant change (1).
Reiki energy healing is a beautiful way to share the love and light with others by making it that much more powerful when you have intentions to heal your patient and when they are open and receptive to the energy coming in. This makes for a perfect balanced energy to administer the healing. It has been an honor to offer Reiki as a dental assistant for eleven years. I am able to merge both of my worlds together in a biological dental office. The patients are eager to explore and introduce natural healing and alternatives. I have had so many beautiful interactions that leave me feeling fulfilled in my dental career and my Reiki practice. It is amazing when two worlds are able to collide in perfect harmony. It is ironic because I work at a practice called Harmony. This indeed to me was validation from the Universe that I was meant to heal patients dealing with the symptoms of their dental treatment mentally and physically.
References
1. Kehrig E. Reiki and Dental Pain. Reiki. https://www.reiki.org/stories/reiki-and-dental-pain. Published February 17, 2015. Accessed January 14, 2021.
2. Rand W. Healing Research. Reiki. https://www.reiki.org/articles/healing-research. Published July 12, 2019. Accessed January 14, 2021.
Image by queeselreiki, via Wikimedia Commons