Article on Reiki Treatment of Type I, II and Gestational Diabetes
Living with Diabetes the Reiki Way
Author’s Key Points
- Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions we face in the US.
- Contrary to the common assumption, the condition is not just a nutritional disorder of glucose (sugar), but of carbohydrates as a whole, fats and proteins. (All need insulin to work properly.)
- There are three major types: Type I, Type II, and Gestational.
- Reiki treatment or self-care can help with the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of caring for diabetes.
Energy Work’s Take on Diabetes
Louise Hay, pioneer of energy work and affirmations, describes the negative mental patterning behind this condition as: “Longing for what might have been. A great need to control. Deep sorrow. No sweetness left.” (Hay, 164). Fundamentally, diabetes is a dysfunction of the Solar Plexus or Navel Chakra.
Role of the Solar Plexus
The Solar Plexus, or Navel, chakra is the seat of our personal power. When it is balanced we feel:
- Powerful
- Willful
- Driven
- Responsible
- Prosperous
- Able to accommodate differences
When it is out of balance, it can manifest in our life as power-struggle, misuse of power, helplessness, anger, bitterness, and digestive complaints (among other things).
Affirmation Work for the Solar Plexus
To counter the negative cycle of sorrow and perceived powerlessness, Hay recommends an affirmation I’ve adapted to incorporate Solar Plexus attributes from Davies (50):
“I am open to joy in my life. I now take command of my life, respecting others to command their own. I now choose to experience the sweetness of today.”
For more on affirmation work, see: How to Use an Affirmation Mala.
Supporting the Solar Plexus through Diet
When it comes to regulating blood sugar with diet, I always start by looking at everything else:
- Fiber: How much are you getting?
- Protein: Are you getting enough protein at each meal? The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine suggest pregnant moms consume 1.1 g/kg/day (71 g). The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day for (an adult) average joe. Athletes are looking more at 1.2 to 1.7 g/kg/day. It’s my experience when folks lack sufficient protein, they crave sugars to compensate for low energy.
- Hydration: Are you drinking enough water throughout the day? There’s no easy answer for how much is enough. To quote the Mayo Clinic: “Generally, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or light yellow — and measures about 6.3 cups (1.5 liters) or more a day if you were to keep track — your fluid intake is probably adequate.”
- Lastly, simple sugars: What kinds of simple sugars are you consuming, how often, and with what other foods? Simple sugars can be sneaky — including milk, soda, white breads, white-bread relatives, white rice, all-natural and artificial sweeteners, fruit juices, and starchy snacks (e.g. corn chips, crackers, potato chips). It’s not just calories that are concerning — saccharin (a.k.a. Sweet‘N Low), sucralose (a.k.a. Splenda) and aspartame (a.k.a. NutraSweet and Equal) have all been found to raise blood sugar.
In addition, aimed to specifically promote slow sugar metabolism, Dr. Minich in Chakra Foods for Optimum Health suggests the following (102):
Low-Glycemic Foods to Support the Solar Plexus
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Supplements for Blood Sugar Regulation
There are a number of natural options when it comes to blood sugar regulation and supplementation: Vitamins, minerals, herbs, medical mushrooms, antioxidants, etc. However, most of them have not been studied in pregnant populations. For this reason, few are considered safe to take during pregnancy. You may consider talking to your healthcare provider about:
- Chromium (found safe in study at 4-8mcg/kg in pregnancy)
- Magnesium (considered safe in pregnancy in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 350 mg daily)
- Vitamin B6 (some but not all studies have shown women with gestational diabetes who also have a pyridoxine deficiency improved glucose tolerance and blood glucose levels when taking 100 mg of vitamin B6 daily for 2 weeks)
For everyone else, talk to your healthcare provider about choosing additional supplements that would be right for your constitution and condition.
Need more help?
Consider trying a Reiki session (they can even be conducted over the phone!) to unpack any emotions or thoughts that are contributing to your condition. Did you know electroacupuncture can also help regulate glucose?
References
- Davies, Brenda. The 7 Healing Chakras Workbook. 2004.
- Hay, Louise. You Can Heal Your Life. 2004.
- Minich, Deanna. Chakra Foods for Optimum Health. 2009.
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