Crystal Therapy - A Therapists Guide

Crystals and crystalline rock have been around for millions of years and they make up almost all of the earth's crust. Deep within the earth’s core minerals combine and rise to the surface forming crystals. Some are formed from spectacular volcanic eruptions whilst others are formed from weathering and erosion. Whatever the method of creation the result is beautiful crystals formed of different minerals, exhibiting a wide range of colours and shapes.

Since the beginning of time, different civilisations have utilised crystals. The Bible refers to crystals over 200 times. One example is the Hebrew high priest Aaron, who wore a breastplate containing many beautiful crystals. In Babylonia, crystalline structures have been found in the ruins and they have also been found in Egyptian and Chinese tombs. Many tribes used crystals for healing, meditation and during ceremonies. This includes the Mayan, Native American and Aborigine people. These people were advanced enough to exploit the piezoelectric properties of quartz – by banging two pieces together they produced a visible flash of light (the light and electricity is produced in the crystal through compression). There are even legends of an ancient civilisation in Atlantis that developed crystalline power even further than present day applications. These technologies were used in engineering, astronomy, agriculture and healing. It is thought that Atlantis was destroyed by the misuse of crystalline power during a civil war that resulted in a major flood that buried Atlantis forever.

In these modern times, man has continued to use crystals for our advancement. From ruby crystals used in the first lasers to liquid crystals in displays, man has made great leaps in technology thanks to crystals. They are now used in communications, information storage, solar power and laser applications in industry and medicine. Of course not forgetting that most of us wear a crystal on our wrists – to help us tell the time! Quartz plates or slices are used in watches and computers because their oscillations are so regular and precise that they make a perfect reference for measuring time.

The human body is also crystalline in nature. We are almost entirely made of water which is a form of liquid crystal. Our blood is also a liquid crystal and the trace minerals in the body are crystalline in structure. Other systems in the body are formed of crystalline substances e.g. cell salts, fatty tissue, lymph and the pineal gland. Crystals can absorb and transmit a multitude of different energies and they can therefore be used to affect our bodies at an energetic level. This energy transference takes place partly due to a resonance effect between the crystal and the crystalline parts of the body. Crystals are therefore ideal for clearing negative energies and energy blockages within our bodies and our energy fields (aura). Crystals also raise our energy levels by amplifying the frequencies of our crystalline structures.

Crystal therapy is a holistic therapy that works on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. It re-establishes a harmonious energy flow within the body. This balances the body and mind and helps the body heal itself. Crystal treatments are excellent at relieving stress and are very relaxing. They provide an energetic boost to the whole system so are great if you have been feeling run-down.

A Crystal Therapy session usually lasts between 30 minutes and an hour. A full case history of the client is taken on their first visit. This establishes a thorough background of the person and allows an individually tailored session to be developed. The client either sits on a chair or lays fully clothed on a massage couch for the treatment. The session begins with the therapist tuning into the patient. The therapist holds the clients feet during this 'tuning in' and detects their energies.

The therapist places clear quartz single terminated crystals on the client’s body, pointing up the left side and down the right (we receive energies through our left side and give them out through our right). This develops a good flow of energy within the client. The therapist then clears energy blockages in the physical body, chakras (energy centres) and aura (human energy field). Specific crystals are then placed on the body and chakras to bring in positive energy and raise the client’s vibrational frequency. The client may feel heat/cold or tingling sensations during the session. The client’s energies are then grounded so they come out of a deep relaxation state. A foot massage at the end helps to 'ground' the client even further (or hand massage for those with ticklish feet!).

At the end of the session, the therapist discusses the treatment with the client and may recommend further treatments or crystals to use at home. The client should drink plenty of water following the treatment and avoid caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours, as this can unbalance the sugar level, upsetting the body's balance - undoing all the good work!!!

As crystal treatments work by helping the body to heal itself, treatments can help a wide variety of conditions, e.g. stress, emotional issues, back and muscular pain, colds, reproductive system imbalances, urinary conditions etc.

The client was suffering from PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) and having fertility problems. The client was also receiving acupuncture and IVF treatment. Crystal treatments are particularly helpful because they are very relaxing and help calm the client during what can be a very stressful time. Clients also benefit from an energetic boost to the whole system, which can be particularly beneficial when drug treatments are being followed. The treatments involved clearing blockages from the whole of the body and chakras. Usually the sacral chakra (related to the genitals and our sexuality) and brow chakra (related to the pituitary gland) are blocked and these were thoroughly cleansed. The reproductive system itself is then treated – clearing any blockages in the ovaries, uterus and several related meridian points and energising with appropriate crystals (e.g. ruby in zoisite on the ovaries). At the end of the treatment the client typically felt less sluggish, energised and calmer.

The client was feeling tired all the time, not sleeping well and their mind was continuously racing. The treatments focused on cleansing the whole of the body and the energy centres, thus ensuring good energy flow. An energetic boost was given to the whole of the body and in particular the solar plexus chakra which is our energy centre. The client was also advised to concentrate on slowing the breath which in turn helps slow the mind. The client reported that he felt more relaxed, had more energy and slept better following his treatments.