When you’re dealing with myofascial pain, it’s reasonable to expect that your focus is on the issues you can feel – the pain in your neck or shoulders, the inflammation in your knee, the stiffness in your back, etc, etc, etc.
But, as Bodyworkers who believe we’re all more than just physical beings, we understand that there are always energetic components to pain – regardless of its origin.
Our bodies are powered by energy – from the physiological and biochemical processes that keep us alive and moving, to the more spiritual, psychological, and emotional attributes that make us who we are. Disrupt any of these and your body will have some sort of reaction. Injury, trauma, stress, anxiety, emotions… they can all have negative impacts in their own specific ways.
At The Pain Relief Center we look at all aspects of a person’s pain, both physiological and energetic. Both aspects are tightly interwoven… in fact, we can’t treat one without having an effect on the other. While trigger points and restrictions in the fascia are more hands-on manual methods, EnergyWork is an integral part of resolving and managing that pain.
This blog will tell you more about the types of EnergyWork we use to affect the issues that all of us face – regardless of whether we’re healthy or injured.
Our Energywork
The therapists at The Pain Relief Center utilize many different energetic modalities; some, like Reiki, a technique of Japanese origins, and Ho’omanaloa, which comes from a Hawaiian lineage, are used by all of us. Others, like ThetaHealing®, Chakra Clearing, Aura Cleansing, and Qi Gong are used exclusively by specific therapists.
First, let’s learn a bit more about Reiki and Ho’omanaloa. Both of these techniques utilize symbols that can be drawn, both on paper and in the mind. The symbols themselves don’t hold any special power; rather they are tools that help the practitioner focus energy in order to facilitate the natural healing processes, be they physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual.
The word Reiki is derived from two Japanese words; rei (meaning higher/spiritual power) and ki (meaning energy). Loosely translated the word means “spiritual life- force energy).
There are five traditional symbols specific to Reiki, three of them used specifically to manipulate the flow of Qi (life energy) in order to promote healing, and two used during the “initiation.” Each symbol focuses on unique aspects of a specific energy and can be used by itself or in combination with other symbols.
- The first symbol increases or decreases power and is used as a catalyst for healing;
- The second symbol is for harmony and is used to restore the body’s spiritual equilibrium;
- The third symbol is used to send healing energy across long distances and is essential when working on inner-child or past-life issues;
- The fourth and fifth symbols are used in the attunement, or initiation process, or when a student is “initiated” into each of the symbols.
The word Ho’omanaloa is the energetic aspect of a much broader collection of practices now referred to as Huna which, in ancient times, were teachings that flourished as a system of personal development, healing, and spiritual discipline that was known by everyone within the community. Ho’omanaloa is derived from three Hawaiian words; ho’ o (meaning to make), mana (meaning empowerment or to empower), and loa (meaning big, long, permanent, spreading). Loosely translated the process involves spreading one’s energy in order to empower oneself.
Each family developed their own unique practices in ancient times that were handed down (within their family only) from generation to generation. The form we use at The Pain Relief Center has its roots in the genealogy of the Bray family from Hawaii Island. Unlike Reiki there are 36 symbols in this work – each one connecting the practitioner with a very specific type of energy. Like Reiki, the symbols can be used individually or in combination with other symbols.
ThetaHealing®
ThetaHealing® is a technique created by Vianna Stibal in 1995 during her own personal journey back to health after she healed from a 9-in tumor in her leg. It is a meditation technique and spiritual philosophy – not specific to one religion but accepting of them all – with the purpose of clearing limiting beliefs and replacing them with more positive ones.
According to ThetaHealing® practitioner Jennifer Schoonmaker, the work focuses on changing your brain wave cycle to include the “Theta” state, a state of very deep relaxation that can be considered the subconscious. Theta waves occur when you’re in that phase between conscious and unconscious, similar to what happens just before you fall asleep. The theta state retains memories and feelings, and also directs your beliefs and your behaviors.
Like all EnergyWork, ThetaHealing® can be experienced one-on-one or remotely. The process begins with a meditation to get you into a relaxed state. If you have experience in meditation, Jenn can help walk you up to a theta state where you will be the most receptive to the work. However, it’s still effective even if you don’t; she simply asks you to close your eyes and give your consent to the healing. In either case she acts as a go-between between the client and the Creator, removing old beliefs and instilling new, more positive beliefs.
Before the work Jennifer utilizes muscle testing in which any internal physical or emotion issues you may be experiencing are revealed through accompanying muscle weakness. During the session people may experience a variety of sensations during the work such as sensing hot or cold, seeing colors, feeling vibrations or tingling, or even having visions or images floating through their Minds eye. After the session she repeats the muscle testing to determine if the belief has been changed.
Chakra Clearing
Chakras are energy wheels located along the mid-line of our bodies where our life force is stored. There are seven chakra, extending from the root chakra, which is located at the end of the tail bone to the crown of your head. Each chakra corresponds to specific organs as well as physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual states of being.
When the chakras are open, your life-energy can flow freely throughout your entire body. However, when they are blocked you can experience a wide range of issues both physical and energetic. For example, if the throat chakra is blocked you may experience a sore throat, but it may also manifest itself in preventing you from speaking the truth.
Keeping all seven chakras clear is something that Jennifer believes is one of the most beneficial aspects of her work, which can be done both one-on-one and remotely. As part of a bodywork session she first determines which chakras are blocked, then places stones that correspond to each chakra’s colors and symbols (which have energy in themselves) on each chakra. As part of a remote healing, she leads you through a guided meditation that clears the chakras through your own imaging and intention.
Aura Cleansing
An aura is the emanation of energy that surrounds your body and reveals the state of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energies. Some practitioners are able to actually see this aura as colors that correspond to the condition of the persons energetic state – light colors are a higher vibrational level and more positive, darker colors are lower vibrational levels and less positive.
Energies from other people, places, objects, or even events can be attracted to like-energies and attach themselves to a person, affecting that persons own energetic level, sometimes in ways that are not beneficial to that persons well-being. They can cause energy entanglements that the person then carries with them.
Jennifer feels that Aura Cleansing is good for one’s peace of mind. It allows you to detach yourself from energies that have come from external sources and can be affecting your own internal energy. Best of all, she says, is that it’s something that’s easy to do yourself, can be done daily, and is can create a noticeable change very quickly.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Like Tai Chi (a more martial arts-oriented practice), it utilizes a series of movements to invigorate and smooth out the flow of Qi. However it is much more of an internal process that uses intention and mindfulness as a path to focusing and sending energy.
Kevin Schoonmaker began his journey into TCM and EnergyWork after watching his mentor, a 26th generation Daoist master, use Qi Gong in a healing session where the subject had an intense, uncontrollable physical reaction to the work. In fact, Kevin recalls that the energy produced was so strong he literally felt it hit him like a wave, and by the time the session concluded the entire room was hot.
Kevin knew that if he could learn how to control energy like that his healing work would take a quantum leap forward. His studies under the Master taught him how to take the same energy produced by physical movement and to internalize it, turning it into an energy that could be used for healing.
Similar to Reiki and Ho’omanaloa, in Qi Gong intention is everything in making the work effective. “Intention opens the door for the Qi to flow,” he says. “The energy flows where the intention goes. Once I’ve grounded myself, those energetic doors open, the Qi begins to flow, and the healing begins.”
At The Pain Relief Center EnergyWork is an integral part of Integrated Modalities Bodywork (IMB), our own unique system of bodywork. Energy is always flowing freely as a natural part of the work and enables the work to be more effective and have a longer lasting effect.
However, we also use it independently of IMB. Not only is it effective in a one-on-one session, but it is also extremely powerful used remotely. In fact, some believe that the increased focus and setting of intentions required in distance work makes it that much stronger than when performed in person.
EnergyWork is great for clients who, for whatever reason, can’t tolerate the challenges of Bodywork, can’t meet with us in person, or who are looking for an experience that touches deeper, more spiritual, emotional, or mental areas that may be connected to a physical or energetic issue.
Call/text (808) 386-6763 or visit our website and discover more about the amazing effects of EnergyWork and how you can experience its benefits.
While you’re there, be sure to sign up to receive notices about our up-and-coming live Healing Sessions, 30-minutes of guided meditation and energy healing done via a ZOOM meeting.