At some point throughout our lives, each one of us will have surely experienced dizziness. It could even have been a part of childhood fun and games, or as we enjoyed rides at playgrounds and theme parks.
But dizziness in adulthood is usually an unpleasant and unwelcome thing.
The term vertigo has been used for decades to describe the sensation experienced by those who have a fear of heights. This, however, is not entirely accurate, as vertigo is a symptom where the sufferer feels as if they are spinning around, or that everything is spinning around them.
It can be a symptom of many different illnesses, but the effect is the same. And, depending on the severity, it can have a very negative impact on the lives of those who experience it.
Treatments are available, and these may vary according to the illness.
Many people these days are seeking natural methods of healing, including reiki. Before exploring this, it is a good idea to get a better understanding of the symptoms and how our bodies work.
Why Do We Get Vertigo?
The human body is a marvelous, complex machine, filled with intricate mechanisms. When these are affected by illness or injury, we realize just how fragile they can be.
We also realize how amazing they are, keeping our bodies functioning properly and efficiently.
One such mechanism is our inner (or internal) ear, a tiny organ that has two main roles; hearing and balance. The cochlea helps us to hear, while the vestibular system is responsible for our balance and motion.
It works constantly in the background, communicating with muscles all over the body to keep us upright and mobile.
Not only does it help us balance, but it also helps stabilize our gaze, our ability to navigate, as well as aiding spatial awareness. And when this comes under attack we are thrown off balance as the system ceases to work.
Dizziness and vertigo, though similar, are not classed as the same problem and can arise for different reasons. Both, however, are due to the workings of the inner ear being disrupted, causing a range of ailments known as labyrinthitis.
There are many causes, including head trauma, bacterial/viral ear infections, blocked ears, Meniere’s disease, and other vestibular disorders.
Although the main symptom of these is vertigo and dizziness, it is important to establish the cause.
Unfortunately, many people find that mainstream medicine, while providing a diagnosis, often treats the symptoms rather than the cause. And this is where complementary or alternative medicine differs.
Healing methods such as reiki are holistic, treating the whole person physically and spiritually. Although a reiki healer may focus on a particular part of the body, the aim will be to eliminate the cause, allowing the body to function as it should.
How Is Vertigo Treated?
Vertigo is broadly split into two types; peripheral and central. The vast majority of cases involve peripheral vertigo and associated diseases. Symptoms range from mild to severe, with sufferers sometimes experiencing disabling bouts of nausea.
Loss of balance can be extremely distressing, and countless people have been injured through falls during a vertigo attack. Thankfully, most cases of vertigo are short-lived and should disappear within hours.
However, those who have long-term illnesses like Meniere’s will be all too familiar with this feeling and will no doubt have been seeking respite.
Conventional medicine usually recommends Vestibular Blocking Agents as a treatment. The three main VBAs are antiemetics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. Even a brief search will uncover alarming information regarding these drugs.
- Antiemetics – a group of drugs used to stop nausea and vomiting, and often used to treat digestive disorders such as GERD. This includes a drug called metoclopramide, which itself carries a ‘black box’ warning by the FDA (the most serious warning it can apply) due to the potential side effects.
- Antihistamines – commonly used for the treatment of allergies and asthma. Although there is currently no scientific evidence to back it up, some people have found that antihistamines help to relieve vertigo. Many of these, however, carry their own side effects, including drowsiness. Promethazine is commonly prescribed, which, although an antihistamine, is also a strong tranquilizer – once again, this has a black box warning.
- Benzodiazepines – this group of psychoactive drugs is used to treat depression and anxiety (as well as a range of other conditions). While they can be effective in treating vertigo, they are addictive and users can become tolerant, leading to the need for higher doses. They also carry a worrying list of possible side effects.
Aside from using the medication, doctors will also suggest using a selection of physical movements to treat vertigo. This includes methods like the Epley Maneuver, which aims to ‘reset’ the balance of the vestibular system.
It does this by dislodging calcium crystals that have built up in the semi-circular canals. These crystals move about, causing the sensation of spinning or movement, even when you are still.
Although this method can be helpful, as well as having the appeal of not involving strong medication, it only works for certain conditions.
How does Reiki for Vertigo work?
Those familiar with reiki will understand just how apt it is to use this healing to treat vertigo. Reiki is all about balance, so what better way to restore the natural balance of the body?
Critics and skeptics often claim that reiki is touted as a ‘cure-all’ that doesn’t match up to its name.
The fact is, the majority of responsible reiki healers have never made any such claims. The energy is offered to the patient and, in the vast majority of cases, positive results are seen.
This does not necessarily mean that patients receive immediate healing, or even that their sickness or ailment is fully resolved.
But as the healing process begins, usually over a number of sessions, people do experience a balancing of the heart, mind, and body. When this occurs, most people will see an improvement in their condition – not only in their symptoms but also as a general sense of well-being.
The secret to this lies in relaxation. Whether performing reiki on yourself or being treated by a qualified practitioner, the first thing you will do is begin to relax.
Your focus will turn to your breathing. Once you begin to relax and breathe deeply – and properly – your blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration improve.
This in itself will bring almost immediate benefits. The aim of any treatment is to make you feel well, obviously. But the deep relaxation that reiki sessions bring will start the process of ‘feeling well’, possibly before any symptoms begin to fade.
And when you realize that you can, in fact, feel well – regardless of your symptoms – then your body begins the process of healing.
To explore this further, we can look at the science. The body is generally found in one of two dominant states:
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) – the natural state that most of us (hopefully) experience most of the time. It is referred to as the ‘rest & digest’ mode, where we go about our daily business of eating, working, sleeping, etc.
- Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – this is the ‘fight or flight’ mode, brought about by stress hormones. Although natural, our modern lifestyles with their worries and cares, along with illness, can mean that this becomes almost a normal state. This can lead to a host of physical, mental, and even spiritual problems.
Reiki sessions guide the body and mind towards settling back into the PNS state. This doesn’t mean that you are continually ‘at rest’.
Neither does it mean that you can’t be active. What it does mean is that when you are active you need not be stressed.
And when you do sleep and digest, you will find that your body performs these essential functions more efficiently, bring better overall health. Another benefit is greater clarity of thought, which is especially helpful for those who are struggling with difficult life choices.
It enables patients to not only take control of their own health but also of their lives.
Can you have Reiki for dizziness?
People undergo reiki healing for all sorts of reasons. This wonderful, natural healing is effective in treating so many problems, both in mind and body. Dizziness and lightheadedness, as with vertigo, will often be a symptom of an underlying problem.
Reiki can certainly be a great help in these cases.
Ironically, these symptoms can sometimes be a side effect of taking conventional medicine, for which reiki can provide a cure.
When we suffer any symptoms, it is the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. It is always wise to listen to it! Your lifestyle may be hectic, you are rushing here and there, pushed into the SNS state almost permanently.
And this will always take its toll eventually. Your dizziness could be down to stress, an unhealthy diet, or a host of other reasons. Reiki will help, as we saw above, in bringing the balance your body needs.
So, yes, reiki is very effective in treating dizziness.
What else can help, alongside Reiki?
This is where the extended benefits of reiki can be seen. Once you start to feel well and take control of your own health, you also think more clearly. Obviously, will power and common sense play a part, but reiki certainly gives you a spiritual and mental boost in the right direction.
If you have a long-term condition such as Meniere’s – for which medics say there is no cure – then reiki can help you to manage this. To assist further, a change in diet will go a long way to helping to alleviate the symptoms.
Try to avoid salty foods and eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. Cut down or eliminate caffeine and alcohol intake. Avoid foods with MSG if possible, and ensure you drink plenty of water.
Not only will this make you feel more healthy, but they will also help any future reiki sessions to be more effective. It’s a definite win-win situation!
As well as diet and lifestyle changes, consider using crystals in conjunction with reiki sessions. Some purists may prefer to not use crystals, but the beauty of reiki that it is your choice – there is no judgment or criticism.
Rose quartz, aventurine, and lapis lazuli are considered to be among the most effective in treating vertigo and dizziness.
Read: best crystals for healing. A quick summary
Yoga can be hugely beneficial, as can meditation. Both can enhance the reiki process, bringing better overall health.
Can there be a spiritual reason for dizziness?
Indeed, there can be. Our minds are rarely at rest, and our spiritual side – often neglected – cries out at times for attention. Sometimes we experience dizziness as our hearts, minds, or spirits try to let us know that something is wrong. Often, this is down to us avoiding a difficult situation or hiding from the truth.
Unresolved emotional issues from the past sit within us like great black clouds. We strive to control situations and events that are beyond us.
Although reiki is not connected to any faith or creed, it is an intensely spiritual thing. Many of those who become involved, either as healers or recipients, will have some sort of faith or spiritual belief (but this is by no means essential!).
This takes courage and strength, and they will face challenges. Sometimes they will experience metaphysical causes of dizziness, as well as other symptoms, telling them that action is required.
And once again, reiki offers a way to balance the mind, body, and spirit, allowing the message to be heard clearly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, reiki can restore balance to your life. Not only can it alleviate the symptoms of vertigo and dizziness, but it also offers you a chance to take control. It enables and empowers you to live better, healthier, and happier. To make better decisions and to be more productive in all your endeavors. And best of all, it is entirely natural and free from all unpleasant side effects.
