Better Body Mechanics In Reiki
By Jill Thiel, LRMT
Reiki healing is a career that anyone can have, regardless of their physical condition. Many people have careers in healing well into the later years of their life. However, if you’re thinking about having a Reiki practice, either part-time or full-time, you need to consider the physical wear and tear on your body. Repetitive movement patterns add stress to your vulnerable areas. By taking precautions early on and avoiding stress on your body, you can extend your career in Reiki. One way to do this is to take into consideration the equipment you’ll be using in your sessions and how to use it.
For the last 16 years, I’ve been providing Reiki in many different settings from mobile to hospital to my practice. When new students are ready to take clients, they often have questions about which equipment and table they need. There are many options out there with many price tags. The most important thing I’ve learned is to take care of my body by choosing the appropriate equipment for the job.
Clients come to your space, either commercial or residential, and ideally, you’re able to have them situated comfortably for sessions. This arrangement typically involves a chair or massage table, already set up to receive them. However, such a plan often only comes after years of building your business and establishing your clientele. For many, at least in the beginning, being mobile can add several clients per week. Having a mobile practice involves being prepared with equipment to provide sessions in a variety of situations. You might bring a massage table or chair, portable stool, sheets, blanket, pillow, essential oils, speaker for music, paperwork, and other supplies. When choosing the equipment that you intend to transport, consider such variables as weight and bulk along with price and functionality.
You don’t need a special table to practice Reiki. However, massage tables offer benefits to both client and practitioner in their function and ease of use and accommodate the needs of a Reiki practitioner. Your table is a valuable investment. We consider all massage tables portable because they fold up for transport and storage. They vary in weight, width, length, and thickness of the padding. Massage tables range from $100 to $4000, averaging between $300 and $500.
Most massage tables allow you to adjust the height. There is even a hydraulic table that can go higher or lower with a push of a button. These are great for clients that have a hard time getting on or off the table if it’s too high or too low. Have a step stool for your clients if you position your table higher up. You don’t want to use your back or arms to help them get on and off. If the client has issues getting on or off the table, switch to a chair they can easily use.
Carrying around a burdensome, heavy massage table can be discouraging. If you plan to use a table, one of the best moves you can make for your back and shoulders is to purchase a light-weight table. Standard full-size massage tables range from 20 to 40 pounds, made from wood or aluminum. If you are regularly transporting and deploying the table, you want to make sure it weighs less than 26 pounds and that you can unfold, raise, and lower it with ease.
Some practitioners use a small folding luggage cart to move around heavy tables. Using a cart to move your table can be helpful if you will carry it some distance. However, it can add another eight to thirteen pounds to your load, so going up and down stairs or lifting the table in and out of your vehicle is strenuous. A lighter table is preferable. Massage tables come in different sizes, colors, shapes, and with different accessories.
When you first set up your table, raise it to a position where you need not bend over at the waist or bend your neck during your session. A table too high or too low can cause poor body mechanics and put undue strain on your body. This situation is where repetitive stress can injure you over the long term.
According to Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques, “To determine a good table height, stand facing the table with your hands at your sides. Adjust the legs so that your knuckles touch the tabletop. Martial arts stances, for example, from tai chi, are very effective for keeping good alignment when giving Reiki. Two stances especially useful for practitioners are the forward-leaning or bow and arrow stance and the side-side or horse-riding stance. The bow and arrow stance is used when facing the head or foot of the table. Both feet face the direction of movement. The horse stance is used when facing the table directly. Both feet face the table with the head and back in alignment. The knees are bent equally to lower the body into position.” ¹
A massage chair is a lightweight alternative to a massage table, and we often see them at fairs, demonstrations, and retail settings where Reiki sessions are 30 minutes or fewer. Massage chairs usually have a seat, knee rests, armrests, a chest cushion, and face cradle. Longer sessions are more comfortable for the client and practitioner when using a massage table. Nonetheless, there are occasions where neither massage table nor massage chair is appropriate, and you may use any chair. A standard chair was what Usui used for his treatments. Sit when appropriate. For example, I always sit when working on the head or feet. These are areas where I might spend the most time. Having a portable stool is nice, but you don’t want your arms too high or too low such that it causes receptive stress. You want them to rest comfortably in front of you. If you bring a stool that works with your table or chair height, you’ll be comfortable for every session.
A backpack or suitcase on wheels can carry miscellaneous supplies with minimal stress on your back. The backpack evenly distributes weight across your shoulders and leaves your hands free. Usually, a backpack and a light massage table allow you to get to any home or apartment in one trip.
Other times, you may need to provide sessions in a hospital, so knowing how to use a hospital bed is an advantage. If your client is in a hospital bed, you’ll want to adjust the bed height. The higher the bed, the less bending for you. Hospital beds are usually on wheels and have brakes that keep them from sliding away. Maintaining proper body mechanics can be difficult when working with hospital beds. The general principle is you need to find ways to keep your back straight and spine and neck in proper alignment. Before you begin your Reiki session, first make the client comfortable before making any adjustments in the room. Then you can unlock the brakes at the bottom of the bed and roll it to where you need it. Be careful about anything hooked up to the bed while moving it, then put the brakes back on so the bed won’t slide around during the Reiki session.
Most of the time, the headboard can slide up and out. Use the adjustable keypad to move the hydraulic bed higher, so you need not bend over while you’re giving Reiki and can gain full access to the head and neck. After the session, always return the room to the original state in which you found it and put the brakes back on once it’s back in position. If you like to sit when giving a Reiki session, adjust the bed to the height that works best for you and your arms and stool.
As you progress with your growing your practice, take advantage of the many options out there in every price range. Choose the best equipment for your work because when you take care of your body, your body will take care of you.
Jill Thiel is an ICRT Licensed Reiki Master Teacher, the owner of The Minnesota Reiki Center for Healing and Training and has been teaching Reiki since 2007. She is also a licensed massage therapist, certified foot reflexologist, and sound healer. Jill lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she is a skilled gardener and expert on sustainability and winter food growing. Reach Jill by email at jthiel@mnreikicenter.com or through her website at www.mnreikicenter.com.
Endnote
1 Patricia J. Benjamin, Frances M. Tappan, Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques, 5th ed. (New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2010), 101-102.