A Healing Crisis may sound scary or intimidating but a crisis can be good/necessary thing. The word Crisis is misleading, it is not a crisis at all. It is a natural period of adjustment that occurs as we deeply heal on all levels of being. The healing crisis is a sign that your physical and emotional bodies have begun the healing process. As with almost every type of therapy: western, eastern, holistic, energy, traditional, etc. our bodies tend to feel worse before they feel better. This is caused by a resurgence of what ails us whether physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. This is exactly what happens with Reiki.
As we discussed in What Is Reiki? – Reiki energy flows through your physical and ethereal bodies and that healing energy is clearing out stagnant energies that no longer serve you or are blocking the flow of your Ki (Life Force). This process usually facilitates detoxification. As new healing energy is being channeled in, the old energy must be released to open any and all blockages so that you may heal on every level. As the old energy leaves the body we tend to feel it, sometimes profoundly depending how sensitive one is to feeling energy.
Reiki is powerful yet gentle and this duality allows it to push out negative energy while it encourages a gradual release of toxins affecting the physical, emotional, mental & spiritual bodies. The toxins are the residue of the past, traumas, experiences, illnesses, poor health habits and pollutants. Not everyone will experience a healing crisis which does not mean you aren’t healing, it simply means your physical body’s elimination system was not overwhelmed removing those toxins.
As for the length of a healing crisis, sorry to say – it will end when it ends but generally, if experienced, it may last for a few hours, days, weeks or months. Speak with your Reiki Practitioner/Master if you feel concerned. As I’ve previously stated, your Practitioner/Master should always be available to you should you have questions or concerns.
Here are some of the symptoms related to a healing crisis, please remember your mileage may vary:
Physically:
- Flu-Like Symptoms
- Low-Grade Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Constipation or Diarrhea
- Sore Throat
- Coughing
- Aching Muscles & Joints
- Disturbances In Your Regular Sleep Patterns
Emotionally:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Overly Emotional
- Sadness/Crying
- Anger
- Grief
Again, if/when you experience a healing crisis remember it is you healing. It is the temporary resurfacing of past pains and illnesses in order for our body and mind to fully process and release. It is the act of healing on all levels of being, it is raising your vibration and clearing a path for living life in a higher vibrational state. It is probably why you scheduled a Reiki treatment in the first place.
A few things to consider if/when you experience a healing crisis:
- When you scheduled your Reiki session, you essentially informed the Universe that you were ready to evolve and heal. This initiatory act gave your permission to the Universe that you are ready to receive healing. Now, you are releasing what no longer serves for your highest good.
- Allow your body to do it’s thing. Do your very best not to halt or subvert the process by treating any symptoms that arise, this will pass and you will be better and stronger for it.
- Document your journey. You may not feel like it at the time but journaling is a wonderful way to stop the thought machine. You want to observe what you are going through but not obsess over it. Also, having a record of your experiences is helpful and in time, you can review your journal to acknowledge how much you have healed and grown.
- Feel Your Feelings. Feelings/emotions may arise that need to be addressed or at the very least acknowledged. Whether your emotions appear as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ these feelings should be felt without judgment for you to experience the deepest healing. You may want to laugh or you may want to cry, either is completely acceptable. Remember – it’s okay to feel your feelings but do make an effort not to get lost in them.
In conclusion, this is a temporary state and once you are through it you will be stronger, yet gentler. As you release the old and heal from the past you resonate at a higher frequency and you will find yourself more loving and compassionate.
Wishing You Peace Love & Light –
Krissy