Most
musicians at some time experience difficulty with some postural or physical
aspect of their performance. The problems range from performance anxiety
to carpul tunnel syndrome. There are various medical profession treatment
modalities ranging from myotherapy to cortisone injections (one of the
medical profession’s standby invasive treatments). Finding the proper
treatment can be a nightmare for the professional musician who gets
tossed about by the highly specialized medical profession.
Many
treatments used by the medical world have been ineffective because the
problems peculiar to the musician are poorly understood or the treatment
fails because the symptom was treated rather than the cause.
Many
physicians, for example, do not make referrals to physical therapists
and have no knowledge beyond a drug-based approach to the human body.
There is no guiding hand to help the musician select the appropriate
treatment(s) when “traditional” medicine has failed. This time-consuming
process of experimenting with treatment modalities can run up very high
bills. And the anxieties mount as the individual’s performance continues
to decline.
Reiki
is a very unusual, non-invasive healing modality which helps to balance
the human energy system and assist the body in repairing itself. It
is extremely effective in helping to maintain health and prevent injury.
Similiar to ancient “laying-on” of hands, the technique/treatment is
a very relaxing experience. The Reiki practitioner places his hands
in various patterns on the body designed to treat the major organs of
the body.
The
client experiences a pleasant warmth from the practitioner’s hands.
Most clients fall asleep and feel refreshed following the treatment.
Some experience relief immediately; others find that within a week or
month (usually after they have “discounted” the validity of the treatment)
their symptoms have diminished or disappeared. Some conditions can be
successfully treated in one or two treatments; other more serious conditions
such as arthritis require an extended period of treatment often in conjunction
with other healing modalities.
Reiki
is never to be considered a “miracle” approach; rather, Reiki should
be thought of as complementing other forms of treatment. The word Reiki
itself means “universal life energy” and the technique originated in
Japan when a scholar Mikao Usui set about to learn more about healing
as mentioned in the ancient texts. His studies took him to many countries
including the United States. He eventually began to study ancient scriptures
and after a prolonged retreat discovered he had the ability to heal.
The capacity eventually was passed to Hawayo Takata who brought the
technique to the United States via Hawaii. Takata passed the ability
to 22 Reiki “Masters” in the United States who have in turn brought
Reiki to thousands of individuals worldwide.
For
the musician on tour, Reiki can save a performance. A recent concert
of mine illustrates my point. I was performing with a group in an extremely
dry hall. I realized in a short time I had a tickle in my throat and
an urgent need to cough. I put my hand to my throat at every moment
I was not playing and averted a violent outburst of coughing which would
have necessitated leaving the stage for water, returning and starting
the piece again.
A pre-performance headache? upset stomach? aching or tense shoulders?
sudden sore throat? Self-treatment to the rescue. Reiki practitioners
make it a daily habit to treat themselves and find that when they are
giving treatments to others they always feel much better afterwards.
Human
beings throughout history have noticed the healing effect of being touched;
some healers seem to come by their abilities naturally. There have always
been rare people with the ability to heal. What is unique about Reiki
is that the ability to become a practitioner is transmitted from teacher
to student.
Whether
treating someone else or yourself, Reiki brings its beneficial effect
and can be administered when and where it is needed most. Give yourself
a gift of a long and healthy musical career. Inquire about Reiki.
Kristin Webb, Reiki Master and flutist, was the head of the Interdisciplinary
Studies Department at North Shore Community College in Danvers, Ma.
for many years. She currently is the Coordinator for the Certificate
in Wellness and the Healing Arts for the college and gives workshops
in Reiki and Music and Healing.