The Magic of Touch: Reviving with Jin Shin

Now and then, each of us witnesses something magical—something we’ve been told is unlikely if not impossible. Often, we convince ourselves we were simply imagining or exaggerating the benefit. This year more than ever, I need to believe that impossibly wonderful things can happen. This week, something did.

If you’ve been reading my blogs, you probably noticed my mood dipping of late. Deaths, disillusionments, defeats—all those “D” words were piling up on me. To make matters worse, most of the people around me were suffering the same pall, so where could I turn to find the beginning of the Yellow Brick Road that would lead me to a happier holiday season?

My road began with a gift certificate to visit a professional in both body and energy work—in this case, Jin Shin. (If you don’t accept anything you can’t see, you might want to stop reading now before I give you a headache.) When I first learned about energy work, I thought a lot of people were merely kidding themselves—or maybe needed to be touched SO badly that they were willing themselves to feel better. I was wrong.

I’m extremely fortunate in that I know several professionals who have the skills and sensitivity to work with energy fields on the human body using Jin Shin or Reiki. If you’ve ever enjoyed a really good professional massage, you already know bodies can store stress in assorted ways. A well-trained massage therapist can free those pockets of stress, unlock the kinks, and relieve quantities of discomfort. (By the way, there are lots of people out there who claim to be good at massage, but they’re like yoga instructors who don’t really get it. At best, no good change happens to the client. At worst, the client is injured.)

I’m not sure what percentage of body workers have the ability to detect human energy fields. It’s a sensitivity that can be taught, but like art, not everyone can reach the same level. Perhaps the sensitivity of the client matters, as well. A professional energy worker can cite the research behind this practice, and yes, there is research evidence that benefits can happen.

I took my unhappy body to a Jin Shin/massage therapy professional who was trained in our local college program, and she relieved my compilation of “D” words. I could feel my personal power revive—not unlike the sputtering of someone who has just been saved from drowning. My overwhelming shroud of depression lifted. As in previous sessions with a different professional, I walked away feeling stronger and brighter.

I don’t usually talk about energies in the body, since I’m weary of seeing people roll their eyes at me. I don’t doubt that some people can be so closed that no energy work can touch them. Is the impact only in the mind? It’s in both the mind and the body. Your body stores information about your state of mind. Dr. Candace Pert explains that your body is your subconscious mind. A good body or energy worker must know anatomy.

Regardless of what you believe, if you find yourself feeling like the world has become a suffocating veil of darkness, you might experiment with energy work. Find a certified therapist, one recommended by friends, if possible—someone you trust. The great therapists will detect messages from your body. You don’t have to understand; just be open. If energy work isn’t for you, then I’d suggest you stick with therapeutic massage. Anyone who can tolerate touch can benefit from a good massage. Massages provide tangible health benefits, beginning with stress reduction. You don’t have to take my word for it. Look it up.