Reiki is a form of energy healing that first originated in Japan in the early 20th century, and is used to facilitate physical, mental, and emotional healing by promoting a healthy flow of positive energy throughout the body. According to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, 1.2 million American adults turned to Reiki and other forms of energy healing within the past year, and Reiki is now utilized by even more Americans to help with chronic ailments like depression, chronic pain, and substance use disorders. At CuraWest we believe in the benefits of Reiki and energy healing when combined with traditional methods of addiction treatment and proven therapies. We focus on providing clients with an integrated approach to treatment, ensuring a return to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. 

Our Denver, Colorado treatment center offers two individual levels of clinical care. Clients are encouraged to undergo a safe, comfortable drug or alcohol withdrawal in the medical detox portion of our program. Once they have been physically stabilized, they are encouraged to transition into the residential portion of our program, where they will continue to heal on a comprehensive basis. Our treatment program is unique in the sense that it focuses on a total restoration of the mind, body, and spirit. To learn more about our Denver addiction treatment program or to begin on your personal journey of recovery, contact us today. 

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health defines Reiki as, “A complementary health approach in which practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above a person, with the goal of directing energy to help facilitate the person’s own healing response. It’s based on an Eastern belief in an energy that supports the body’s innate or natural healing abilities.” (1) Because Reiki is considered a complementary approach to holistic wellness, it must be combined with other treatment methods in order to be truly effective. At CuraWest, we employ Reiki as a method of healing and as a tool utilized for increased self-awareness. Clients learn about the benefits of Reiki in the context of their personal journeys of recovery, while learning how important it is to supplement holistic treatment methods with behavioral therapy and peer support group involvement. 

There are many benefits associated with Reiki and energy healing, including:

• Improved mood and overall emotional well-being. 
• Lower blood pressure and resting heart rate. 
• Better sleep/reduced symptoms of insomnia and sleeplessness. 
• Reduced stress levels. 
• Increased ability to work through uncomfortable emotions. 
• Lower anxiety and fewer symptoms of anxiety, like panic attacks. 
• Improved symptoms of depression and depressive disorders. 
• Improved symptoms of chronic pain/pain management. 
• Improved mind-body connection. 
• Potentially improved rates of relapse among those in recovery for addiction.

Many scientific studies point towards the efficacy of Reiki, though it can be difficult to prove how effective Reiki is as a standalone treatment option. For this reason, we utilize energy healing as a supplemental treatment method, offering group workshops on a weekly basis. 

Does energy work really impact overall health and well-being? If so… how? Several studies point towards the fact that Reiki is more effective in treating certain ailments than placebo. Other studies show that Reiki improves symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, two mental health conditions that commonly co-occur amongst those with substance use disorders. Reiki can also be used to manage pain, an issue which many individuals with a history of substance use struggle with. While we do believe that Reiki and other forms of energy healing can be beneficial as part of an integrated recovery program, our main priority is to introduce our clients to as many treatment options as possible. 

Reiki and energy healing group workshops are held on a regular basis. The majority of these groups are led by Kelsey Goss, MA, LPCC, ADDC, the Clinical Supervisor at CuraWest. According to Goss, “I think the best way to look at the Reiki Group is as a meditation group. Clients will learn about each of the seven chakras. The focus of every group workshop will be a general education on one of these seven chakras and how it can provide healing to a specific problem or area of concern. Each group will include energy healing, meditation, and education surrounding self-healing techniques. These groups will be open-minded, trauma informed, and low impact. Clients will sit on a chair or on the floor as they are guided through self-healing techniques, and they will have the opportunity to ask questions or discuss what has come up for them towards the end of the group sessions.”

The seven chakras are The Crown, The Third Eye, The Throat, The Heart, The Solar Plexus, The Sacral and The Root. Each chakra represents a different energy point in the body that affects both physical and mental well-being. When a chakra is “blocked” it essentially means there is a certain area of concern that needs to be addressed. For example, if your Solar Plexus chakra is blocked (the chakra associated with the stomach, which is linked to self-esteem and personal power), it means that a lack of self-confidence or low self-esteem should be addressed. This school of thought suggests there is often a physical ailment associated with emotional and mental areas of concern. A person experiences unexplained stomach cramping or gastrointestinal issues might need to work on building self-esteem and self-confidence. Energy healing is by no means a replacement for Western medicine, but it can be a beneficial tool when used in conjunction with professional medical care and behavioral therapies, especially in the context of addiction recovery. 

At CuraWest we take an integrated approach to addiction recovery, combining holistic treatment options like Reiki and energy healing with proven therapeutic methods, dual diagnosis treatment options, trauma-informed care, and peer support program education and involvement. In addition to Reiki, we offer the following treatment options:

• Individual, Group, and Family Therapy 
• Case Management Services 
• Personalized Addiction Assessments 
• 12 Step Program Education and Involvement 
• Relapse Prevention Training 
• Life Skills Training 
• Vocational and Educational Placement Services 
• Family Workshops 
• Recreational/Experiential Therapy 
• Yoga Therapy 
• Horticulture Therapy 
• Gender Expression Group Workshops 
• Individualized Aftercare Planning Services 

Reiki is only one of the proven holistic modalities offered at CuraWest. Our program of addiction recovery in Denver, Colorado is both integrated and individualized, providing clients with a treatment experience unlike any other. As soon as you make the decision to reach out for help, you will be put in contact with an experienced Treatment Advisor who will walk you through our simple admissions process. We begin by conducting a brief assessment which helps us determine whether or not our recovery program is right for you. If it is determined that you would benefit from our medical detox program and/or residential treatment program, we conduct a free, no obligation health insurance benefit check and help arrange local ground transportation to our facility. If you live out of state we will help you arrange more extensive travel plans, though additional travel expenses will be your responsibility. To learn more about our holistically-based treatment program or to get started on your own personal journey of addiction recovery, contact us today.