Lori Buckley, OTR/L, CLT – Reiki Master
Occupational Therapist
Integrative Healing Therapies
- How can Reiki assist breast cancer patients and survivors with addressing sexual health and wellness?
Reiki / energy work is an alternative therapy that assists with releasing the negative energies that are trapped in our bodies. Our mindset as well as our muscles and organs can be negatively impacted by trapped negative emotions and energies in our bodies. By releasing the negative blocks our body is able to overcome the stress, anger, fear and anxiety that can be weighing us down and cause us to withdrawal from others. By releasing these blockages our bodies naturally feel lighter and more at peace. Reiki also promotes improved sleep as it assist the body’s natural state of relaxation. Being well rested and feeling at peace improves our ability to communicate with loved ones. That feeling makes it easier to allow others in our personal space. Having a sense of calmness also makes it easier to freely give to others. The reproductive system, which includes the secretion of fluids that provide lubrication of the vagina, can only function when the body is in a state of relaxation. When the body is caught in the fight or flight pattern it goes into survivor mode. Non-essential systems like the reproductive system shut down. Reiki promotes improved health and wellness by releasing the trapped negative energies. The body heals better when it is in a state of relaxation verses stress and tension. Three common negative emotions that breast cancer survivors may have are stress, anxiety, and anger. It is medically proven that theses stressors can produce headaches, muscles tension, depression, digestive issues, increased blood pressure and even strokes. Reiki restores peace and harmony in the mind, body and spirit for healing. Many prestigious hospitals in the US recognize Reiki as a healing form of Integrative healing.
- What can a patient expect in a treatment?
Reiki takes place in a peaceful environment with the patient fully clothed typically relaxing in a comfort chair or laying down. Reiki is a gentle hands off experience that focuses on the movement of energy. The Reiki energy feels warm and soothing bringing calmness and healing to the body. Patients often fall sleep. Most clients report feeling increased mental clarity, peacefulness and a sense of feeling lighter (due to the release of the negative energies weighting them down). It can also reduce pain levels.
- What is Lymphatic Enhancement Technology?
Lymphatic Enhancement Technology is a state of the art technology for improving the movement of lymphatic fluid by unlocking the detoxification channels of the body. It is a gentle vibrational modality that improves lymphatic movement at the tissue level. It aids in the release of interstitial toxins, accelerates local healing, and aids in the immune function. When used in conjunction with manual lymphatic drainage it allows for a deeper level of detoxification. It is a very gentle relaxing compliment to manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).
- Can breast cancer patients participate?
Absolutely! Breast cancer patients with and without lymphedema would benefit from LET therapy. LET along with MLD can assist with releasing the toxins associated with the side effects of medication and treatment. When patients are nauseated as a side effect from cancer treatment interventions it is they body’s way of purging what it no longer needs. It is releasing the unnecessary chemicals and the die off of the cancer cells that the effectiveness of the drug has caused. LET therapy is a gentler way to assist the body’s natural detoxification process. The increased fluid movement carries waste products, bacteria, dead cells, and large protein molecules through the kidneys, skin and bowels. LET therapy also increases the flow of the lymphatic system which produces lymphocytes (white blood cells). These cells look for and destroy invaders such as bacteria, viruses parasites fungi along with other foreign materials that may enter your body. Everyone can benefit from LET therapy for detoxing and boosting the immune system.
- What can a patient expect in a treatment?
LET treatment is a relaxing modality designed to stimulate the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the parasympathetic nervous system that promotes the body’s “rest and digest” functions. It calms the body down, slows the heart rate which creates a sense of relaxation, increases digestion, aids in detoxification and produces white blood cells. The increase flow of lymphatic fluid stimulates increased circulation of all body fluids which promotes a lighter feeling along with a a sense of relaxation.
- How soon after a surgery or mastectomy can an individual participate in your Lymphatic Enhancement Technology?
We recommend that you seek guidance from your physician for their protocol. LET therapy does not pull on the soft tissue or cause any stress on incisions. Drainage tubes, staples, or chemo ports will not be damaged or interfere with the therapy. Most surgical patients would benefit from LET therapy to decrease post surgical swelling.
- How does your organization address sexual health and intimacy?
This is addressed through education on the importance of stimulation of the para sympathetic nervous system so the reproductive system has the ability to engage.
