Q: Your doctor will give you advice on how to recover. She may recommend using crutches for a time or prescribe a program of physiotherapy. In a worse case, she may also give you a referral to a specialist who can better assess your injury. Many healthcare professionals recommend that you continue to move your ankle in case of a sprain. The joint will heal faster if you begin moving it without pain, in a full range of motion. However, muscle strains can be different. If you have injured a muscle rather than a ligament, your doctor might tell you to keep the foot immobilized for several days and prescribe a cast, splint, or brace to protect it. The aim is to keep you from further tearing the injured muscle. You should be able to use your foot again once healing has started. Once the swelling has gone down and the pain has subsided, you will be able to put weight on your foot again. Start slowly. Your activity should be light. You will probably notice some amount of stiffness or soreness at first. This is natural and should go away as your muscles and ligaments become accustomed to use again. Warm up and stretch before exercising. Increase the duration and level of intensity over a period of several days. Try a low impact exercise to start. Swimming, for example, is much easier on the feet than running. If you feel any sudden, sharp pain, stop your activity immediately. Your shoes should give you stable balance and not put you at risk of re-injury. High heels are out, obviously. Buy new shoes if you think that your injury was a result of insufficient cushioning. Arch supports might help, too, while another option is a therapy boot. These have velcro to ensure stability and make walking easier. You can get them from your doctor for between $100$200. Crutches can help you get back to your routine, if your recovery is a longer one or if you still cannot put full weight on the foot. The most common kind of crutch is the axillary crutch. To fit properly, the crutch should come about two to three inches below your armpit while you are standing up straight. Your hands will hang over the crutches and rest on hand-grips. Put your weight on the healthy side. Move the crutches in front of you and, shifting your weight to your arms, swing your body through the crutches. Do not support yourself on your armpits this can cause nerve damage. Rather, hold the hand-grips for support. Canes work slightly differently. A cane is not meant to be used on your weak side. Instead, it is meant to support the healthy side and the extra weight that it is bearing because of your injury.
A: Follow your doctor's instructions. Keep joints moving, muscles immobilized. Start regular activity slowly. Wear a stable and protective shoe. Use crutches or a cane, if necessary.

Q: Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that was developed in the 1920s by a Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui. Like many other forms of energy healing, Reiki involves the practitioner gently touching various points on the patient's body. Scientific studies of Reiki therapy have demonstrated that it is effective for reducing pain, anxiety, fatigue, and stress, and that it may be especially useful for patients dealing with chronic illnesses or recovering from difficult surgeries. Read up on the history and therapeutic benefits of Reiki at the Center for Reiki Research website: http://www.centerforreikiresearch.org/ In order to become a Reiki practitioner, you must learn from a qualified Reiki master. While there is no one organization or governing body that determines who can be qualified to practice Reiki, there are a variety of private companies and organizations that offer Reiki training, certification, and licensing. Ask around among people you know who practice Reiki to find out where they trained, or do an online search for Reiki training in your area. You can search for a teacher or practitioner registered through the International Association of Reiki Professionals here: https://iarp.org/find-reiki-practitioner-teacher/ Although the stages of Reiki training may vary depending on your school or instructor, it is typically taught in 3 stages or "degrees." The first degree focuses on teaching students simple techniques that they can use on themselves and friends or family. You will learn about the history and precepts of Reiki, as well as basic healing techniques. First-degree training typically takes only 8-12 hours to complete, although some beginning courses may take longer (e.g., 1-2 days). The cost of first-degree or beginning Reiki training may vary depending on your teacher or school, but introductory classes often cost around $200 USD. Training may include the basics of hand placement, meditation techniques, and hands-on practice. In many Reiki training programs, the second stage of learning involves the use of distance healing. These techniques emphasize using mental focus for indirect manipulation of energies, rather than directly laying hands on the body. These techniques may be useful in situations where direct touch is inappropriate or impossible (e.g., for relieving pain from open wounds). Different instructors or schools may have different prerequisites for second-degree training. For example, you may be required to have practiced first-degree Reiki self-care for at least 6 months or to have completed a certain number of supervised clinical practice sessions. Check with your teacher or school to find out how long the training lasts and how much it will cost. Second-degree training may last 1-2 days to over a week, with prices varying from around $300 USD to $600 USD or more. The third and final level of Reiki training is mastery. Once you become a qualified Reiki master, you can both practice Reiki and teach it to others. The training required to become a Reiki master is in-depth, and may take a year or more to complete. The cost of Reiki master training may vary depending on your school or teacher, but master programs can cost around $1600 USD. There are many different ways to practice Reiki. Some people may prefer to limit their practice to self-care and therapy for family and friends. However, if you are a more advanced practitioner, you might consider operating a private practice from your home or a rented space. Some physical therapists or healthcare providers also choose to incorporate Reiki into their regular practice. If you choose to become a private practitioner, consider purchasing professional liability insurance. If you'd rather not try to set up your own business, consider working or volunteering with a clinic, hospital, physical therapy center, gym, or yoga center in your area that offers energy healing or holistic medicine services. Consider becoming a member of a professional organization, such as the International Association of Reiki Professionals (IARP). Members of the IARP must be practitioners (at any level) or teachers of Reiki, and must pay a membership fee. The basic yearly fee is $169 USD.
A:
Familiarize yourself with Reiki. Find a Reiki master in your area. Take a first-degree training class to learn the basics of Reiki. Complete a second-degree course to learn more advanced techniques. Become a Reiki master with third degree training. Establish your Reiki practice.