There is help for your child’s social, emotional and behavioral well-being

By Heidi Scanlon, Certified Reiki Master/Instructor

With a new school year upon us, as with any new life experience, children and teenagers may feel stressed and anxious.There is always the pressure to do well and fit in. Depending on what is going on in their life, they may also feel depressed. Maladaptive behaviors such as cutting are on the rise.What do you do when you don’t want to give your child psychotropic drugs? Usually, this is the only option offered.There is another option to help your child in any of these situations and that is Reiki.

Reiki is a healing practice that is safe, non-invasive and very calming. It also complements traditional medical care. More than 800 hospitals nationwide use Reiki. In my practice I have seen many children and teenagers with depression, anxiety, maladaptive behaviors and also those with ADD,ADHD and autism. Reiki has made a world of difference for these children.

We are energetic beings and when a child is under stress, experiencing trauma, or they are unable to express their feelings, they can have blockages in the body’s energy flow. Reiki helps to strengthen the life force within the child and to identify and remove these blockages helping the child to function better. Reiki does not cure conditions, but by removing the blockages the child has the ability to cope better and heal better.

How do you know whether or not Reiki could be beneficial for your child? I offer objective measurement of a person’s level of energetic flow and balance, using a state-of-the-art technology called the Aura Video Station. In about 15 minutes, painlessly and objectively, the body’s energy is scanned in real time. My analysis of this information, combined with 15 years of experience, enables me to determine if blockages are present. If so, we can determine where they are located and their level of severity.The findings are provided in a detailed report, which is reviewed with the parent(s), along with my personalized recommendations.

While the child lies on a massage table fully clothed, I use various hand positions through light touch. Reiki can also be performed without touching and be just as effective. For the child who is unable to lie still on a massage table, Reiki can be performed while they are sitting in a chair and parents are always invited to stay. Learning Reiki would give parents an additional tool to help their child’s social, emotional and behavioral well-being. One of my students just took the first level Reiki class for this reason. After the first session she did for her son, he was calmer, less anxious and was able to sleep.

According to Lawrence Palevsky, M.D., FAAP, former chief of pediatric acute care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, one of the biggest issues for children today is maintaining acceptable behavior while dealing with anxieties, fears, emotions, peer pressure and educational pressure. In addition, the range of childhood ailments, such as ear infections, respiratory infections, asthma and gastrointestinal upset is extending to include many conditions that once plagued only adults, such as type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. Palevsky sees Reiki as a valuable part of care, one that can quietly address the emotional component of conditions such as asthma and irritable bowel syndrome, while empowering children with another tool for self- regulation.

As parents, we all have a strong need to protect and nurture our children, keep them safe and help them grow to be self-sufficient and socially responsible. Give your child the opportunity to be the best version of themselves. Schedule a Reiki evaluation to find out if your child has energy blockages that would impede their ability to do well in school, have great friendships, get along well within the family, and have the ability to cope with life.This way you will know you did everything possible to help your child thrive!

Heidi Scanlon is a certified Reiki master and coowner of the New Jersey School of Reiki LLC. She has been helping adults and children with a variety of concerns since 2000. In addition to Reiki sessions, Scanlon is the primary instructor at New Jersey School of Reiki LLC. NJSR offers instructional classes in Reiki for all levels, with certification. Her practice is at Freedman Chiropractic Center, D-6 Brier Hill Court, East Brunswick. She is also available for presentations for your group or organization. For more information, visit www.FreedmanChiropracticCenter.com or www.NJSchoolofReiki.com. To schedule an appointment for a Reiki session, or a private, 15-minute consultation, call 732-254-6011.For information about classes, call 732-254- 6070.