On Perimenopause: This Century-old Healing Technique Could Help Balance Mood, Expert Says

I’ll be 43 years old tomorrow, and having begun “the change”, all I want for my birthday is for my perimenopause symptoms to disappear. Seeing as that’s not a realistic birthday wish, I’m considering doing something more practical: investing in some reiki sessions.

But could this ancient healing practice truly help balance my moods? When it comes to achieving hormone balance and the power of holistic healing, certified life coach and reiki practitioner Chelsea Powell is a believer. “As I continue to … move away from [my] mind and the thoughts that spike my stress levels, reiki helps me out of that spiral,” she tells First for Women.

What is reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese healing modality with roots in India. Root words of rei (universal) ki (vital life force energy). Reiki is used to regulate and heal your energy centers, or chakras, if they are imbalanced.

Reiki treatments generally last an hour or so. Although there is no massage involved, you lie on a table while a practitioner stands over you, similar to a massage session. Either with light touch or just above your body, a reiki practitioner will use a series of 12 to 15 different hand positions.

Powell and other holistic healing practitioners believe that energy flow is a system in our bodies similar to our blood and nervous systems. The stops along what Powell calls a “super highway” are our chakras. “When there’s a traffic jam in our universal energy flow we can soon find ourselves with blocks that can have physical, emotional implications,” states Powell.

Reiki may help reduce the stress that perimenopause causes.

Perimenopause symptoms can be very uncomfortable, and the emotional rollercoaster is no exception. Says Powell, “By tapping into my most underutilized tool — my body — I’m able to process and regulate the stress-driven emotions that began in my mind.” The idea that perimenopause is linked to mood swings is isn’t exactly new. But just how much do stress levels impact menopausal symptoms like heightened emotions and mood fluctuation?

Unfortunately, there’s no proven answer or magic pill for this issue. All you can do is treat your perimenopause mood shifts in whatever ways you can: With daily exercise, a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and limiting stress in your life. And reiki may be an important step in that treatment plan.

Does reiki really work?

“Reiki has very quickly become a foundational practice that allows me to tap into my body and emotions, says Powell.   

“As I learn and practice more, I think of myself as having ‘settings’ — beliefs that were imposed on me over time, which have led me away from using my body as a guide to navigate through my life. Reiki offers an opportunity to calm the nervous system and gain inner calm by grounding me in my physical body in the moment,” she adds.

For Powell and many others, incorporating regular stress and emotion management techniques into their lives has improved and helped to regulate their mood levels.

Book a reiki session near you.

To find a reiki session near you, visit The International Association of Reiki Professionals, which will not only tell you where your nearest practitioner is, but will also provide more info about the healing practice as a whole.

When considering holistic healing, always remember that these practices are never a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and should always just be used in addition to any medical treatments recommended by your physician.

Looks like I’ll be locating a reiki practitioner near me very soon! Who knows? I might even get a session for my birthday. If it would help ease my perimenopause symptoms, it would be worth its weight in gold.