Who heals the Healer?

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Holistichealthcarewx

Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, Clergy, and other Healing Providers

CWD 25/10/2022 Ireland

Who heals the Healers?

We are all in danger of burnouts, but Doctors and us Nurses really do “feel” that pulling at the very essence of our being.

These are very stressful times and many are sick. Physically and emotionally. Usually you would attend your Family Doctor – GP for physical or organic help, or you may attend a Clergy or Therapist for emotional help … or, God forbid you end up on the hospital trolley in A&E (ER). And as you are now in their presence, looking for help, have you given the Healthcare Provider – Doctors, Nurses, Therapists, Clergy – a Thought of Your Time? Who Heals the Healer?

We are by no means immune to cases coming in and some touch us profoundly and we “bring it home”; something we were all taught, never to do. And to quote Rag’n’Bone Man: “I’m only human after all” – at the end of the day, that is exactly who we all are: Human.

Healing for Healers is a unique approach to address compassion fatigue, to listen to your body, and to connect to your inheritance. This includes both your inherited burdens and the true gifts of your lineage. You learn how to release what does not serve you, repair deep wounds, restore balance to the body, and replenish your energy and life force. As healers and care providers it is imperative to have a safe and containing place to receive this kind of support. It is possible to give and care for others while still honouring and providing for your own needs and health.

Example once told to me:

“Your healing space feels very relaxing and soothing. I think my patients would feel comfortable here“, said Dr. Emily Rawlings, as she stands in the middle of my office and looks around. She came to learn about my integrative practice of psychotherapy and intuitive healing as a resource for her patients. Her attention turns to the large coloured painting on the wall of a multi layered heart. She comments on how beautiful it is and how appropriate for the work that takes place here. She pauses for a moment. “I should also come here but it so hard to find the time for myself.” A tear wells up in her eye and she quickly wipes it away as if to dispel the unexpected sting of emotion. “Many of my patients are so ill and I come home so tired”. She lets out a deep sigh. “I get afraid that there won’t be enough left of me for my kids. Sometimes I just feel numb.” I notice her momentary sad and defeated expression. She then straightens out her slightly bent body and looks back at me with the composure of a strong competent doctor.
The kind of Tired that Dr. Rawlings is talking about is not the kind that gets better with a good night’s sleep. Hers is a compassion fatigue. This is a tiredness that lives in our hearts and in our bodies from the empathy that we express for the people we are treating every day. It can take too much out of us emotionally when we are “feeling” with our patients their fears and their feelings of desperation. How can we bring support and caring to our patients when our own inner energetic container is over full? As healers and care givers it is vital to have a mechanism to replenish and restore ourselves. We also must release any lingering feelings that we unintentionally hold on to from our patients. Dr. Rawlings continues to provide her heart felt caring through her will, drive, and commitment to healing. With a depleted body, she pushes beyond, past her ‘tired’, ignoring her body’s aches, pains, and signals to listen.

Thirty plus years ago, I chose a path that led me to care for people who were suffering deeply. The suffering had many forms such as severe burns, physical and emotional violence, and severe mental illness. People needed so much support to navigate the difficulties that life sent their way. Along with the feelings of pride, fulfilment, and joy that I received from this meaningful work, I also experienced the heaviness that comes from sharing in the depths of the human condition. I felt courageous and gratified that I carried this burden for so long without really knowing its impact. As my life became more complex and dense with responsibility, the heaviness increased. I desperately needed to address it.

Energy healing along with deep body listening and body dialogue offered me this opportunity. I was guided to connect with my body by sensing and feeling what it was holding. I was also guided to learn how to release this holding.

During this process I discovered that I was not just a great holder but I was what I call, an ‘inherited holder’. This means one who comes from a long line of strong women holders. How then could I give up my ‘inheritance’? This made it more difficult to discern what was truly serving me in my life and what burdens were not really mine.

What is an Integrated Practice of being a Nurse and Intuitive Energy Healing?

The Intuitive Energy Healing approach to therapy recognizes that throughout our lives, our bodies store memories and traumas in the form of blocks. These blocks or ‘stuck’ energy impact both our physical and emotional health. Negative energy stored for long periods of time manifest as symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and illness. They also arise as struggles in relationships, in the work place, and in creative expression. Hidden beneath layers of energy blocks are unconscious beliefs formed from earlier life experiences which limit our capacity to make real or healthy choices.

Together the healer and client identify where the blocks are held, discern the underlying beliefs, and find the pathways for release. During this process the client may experience significant and unexpected changes which create openings for growth and healing. The client and healer reflect upon the process and content of the session, building connections between body and mind.

What can I expect in a typical session?

What Methods are used?

Every Intuitive Healer has their own methods and usually it is what they are most comfortable using.
In my case, I use Reiki Energy, Divine Energy, Chakra Energy, Radiesthesia Energy, Colour and Sound Vibrational Energies, Crystal Energy, Acupressure, Aroma Therapy and Massages, to name a few. I may only use two or three, or all of them; this depends on the client’s need for therapy. I am guided and follow intuition.

A typical session begins with traditional talk therapy focusing on those concerns which led the client to seek treatment. In order to deepen the work, we move to an energetic exploration of the body enabling client and healer to identify and clear blocks which are obstacles to healing. The body work may incorporate components of breath work, vocalisation, visualisation, guided imagery, movement, and hands on or hands over energetic healing. The healing moves back and forth between identifying and releasing blocks, and the reflection, understanding and integration of what has occurred. Sessions often close with a take-home exercise individually designed to help the client internalize the discovery process. A session can last up to 2 hours. Most require up to three such sessions to reach their goal, others feel the effects after the 2 hours.

If this resonates with you, call and leave a message, send and SMS or PM me directly – I will get back to you. Catherine.

Many thanks for taking the time reading this blog.
CWD 25.10.2022/Ireland

What is Lomi lomi Massage?

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Holistichealthcarewx

What is Lomi lomi Massage?

Lomi lomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage that uses a combination of massage techniques, nut oils, and sometimes elements of prayer, breathing and dance to restore energy and soothe the body. It is also known as the ‘loving hands’ massage. This name helps to explain its principles – the massage works gently yet deeply into the muscles with continuous, flowing strokes, allowing the recipient to relax and give in to the nurturing touch.

Lomi lomi works from the belief that memories are not just stored in the brain and mind, but also in every cell of the human body. The long, continuous strokes of the massage are designed to help the body let go of its old patterns and behaviours, which can cause as many stresses and strains as muscle tension.

Hawaiian Lomi Lomi

‘Lomi lomi’ translates to ‘rub rub’ in Hawaiian, and reflects the broad, flowing strokes made with the therapist’s fingers, thumbs, palms, arms and elbows. Macadamia, palm and coconut oils are usually used as moisturisers in lomi lomi massage, to keep the strokes smooth and to nourish the skin.

Many believe that the healing art of Lomi lomi was brought to Hawaii by the earliest Polynesian settlers, while others believe that it is deeply infused with the practice of ‘living aloha’ – a carry-over from ancient Hawaii and the mystical land of Mu. The Hawaiian lomi lomi massage can also be referred to as Kahuna bodywork.

Benfits of Lomi lomi massage

Lomi lomi aims to treat the body and mind as one whole being. It is thought to:

release tension
assist blood and lymph flow
eliminate waste and stimulate toxins
rejuvenate the body
instil a sense of peace, harmony and wellbeing.

In Hawaii, lomi lomi is used to treat children with upset stomachs and soothe women in labour. A lomi lomi therapist will not aim to heal themselves, but to be the facilitator for healing – to enable healing to take place.

Before you go

The nature of lomi lomi means that you probably won’t be able to wear very much, so check with the spa about what you can bring. Bikini bottoms are usually OK – or the spa might even provide disposable paper pants – not a fashion item.

It’s worth remembering that the oils used in massage are not kind to hair or make-up, so you might not want to return to work straight after your treatment. But that’s fine – if you clear your diary for the afternoon, you’ll be able to spend longer in post-lomi lomi heaven.

Avoid eating heavy meals or drinking alcohol in the hours leading up to your massage.

Precautions

Your therapist should ask you about your medical history before your treatment begins. It’s important to tell them if you are – or think you may be – pregnant.

What to expect from a lomi lomi massage

Traditionally, lomi lomi massage is performed with the recipient lying on a hand-woven mat on the floor. However, you may find yourself on a conventional massage table, or lying directly on the vinyl of it. Instead of being covered with towels, you might just have one towel or a small sheet to preserve your modesty. These steps are taken to avoid interrupting the continuous flow of the massage.

The Lomi lomi healing practice usually begins with a period of stillness between therapist and recipient, sometimes with the therapist’s hands resting lightly on the recipient’s back. During this moment of stillness, a traditional lomi lomi practitioner would say a blessing or prayer, asking for whatever healing is needed.

The therapist will work intuitively with your body, with fluid, rhythmic strokes to release and shift tensions. There is no set format for the massage itself, so no two Hawaiian massages are the same. The treatment may be slow and relaxing or faster and more invigorating, depending on how your body responds. You might find that the therapist massages two different parts of your body simultaneously – this is to stop your brain from focusing on any one area and therefore helps to aid relaxation. Sometimes, lomi lomi is carried out by two therapists at once to intensify the effect.

Your massuese may make full-body or under-body strokes, lightly stretch your limbs and carefully rotate your joints. These techniques are thought to free up your energy flow, and she will perform them very gently, staying within your comfort zone and level of resistance.

Don’t be surprised if your therapist – particularly if she is a traditional lomi lomi practitioner – hums at various points during your massage. Humming is supposed to create amplified and vibrating energy, promoting the release of blockages within the body. Dance techniques and hula movements are important, too, in keeping the energy flow high.

Hot tip!

One of the luxuries of any traditional massage is the thought of its geographical origins. Think of lomi lomi as your own little piece of Hawaii, imagine yourself in a treatment room next to miles of sandy beach and feel its holiday-effects work their magic!

Afterwards

You will feel blissfully relaxed after your Hawaiian massage, and nurtured from top to toe. Make time to wallow in the afterglow, and have a dip in the pool or a leisurely shower before you return to the real world. If you’re lucky enough to be in Hawaii, why not sit yourself between sand and ocean and let the waves lap you into a deeper, warm, luxurious calm.

Different kinds of lomi lomi massage

Lomi lomi massage is an intuitive skill, so no two treatments will be the same. Some forms of lomi lomi use baths, bone-adjusting techniques and even humming and dancing.

Some variations include:

‘A’e’: ‘a’e’ is Hawaiin for ‘walking the body’. In this form of lomi lomi, the therapist balances herself with a pole or ceiling bar while she gently walks the length of your body
Four-handed treatments with two therapists

To book a 1 hour massage call or sms on WhatsApp 0851103506