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Diabetes and me

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 21:52:36 GMT

I’m diabetic. There, said it. It’s type 2 so it could be worse. Nonetheless, to admit I have it gives it the importance it needs. This blog is my journey through the last 12 months.

In November 2024 I was drawn to sign up with a personal trainer and I contacted my GP surgery to arrange for a health mot to make sure I didn’t keel over when lifting weights. I’m built for gentler pursuits! The trainer put me on a high activity, low calorie regime. Essentially walking, weights, balanced diet with little carbohydrate and salt, and no sugar or processed foods. I dropped 1kg in weight per week, felt fitter, got stronger. This proved timely for what was to come.

In January 2025 the doctors took bloods and these were used for a HbA1c test. This test shows average blood sugar levels over the last 2-3 months. The reading was 65 mmol/mol (10.3 mmol/l). Trust me, the numbers can be confusing (!) so for clarity the diabetic ranges are:

Normal – 42 mmol/mol (6.9 mmol/l)
Pre-diabetic – 43-47 mmol/mol (7-7.7 mmol/l)
Diabetic – 48 mmol/mol + (7.8 mmol/l +)

(Mmol/mol and mmol/l are simply reading measurements. I don’t need to know what they signify, just that they can be used as a marker for progress.)

So my reading put me in the diabetic range. At this stage it wasn’t confirmed I was type 2 but it was unlikely I was type 1. In reality, I'd probably been carrying this for many years. I'm not sure if it was hereditary or if poor lifestyle had caused it. That's incidental now, I have it.

Type 2 diabetes is high blood sugar levels due to the body not making enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes not working properly, known as insulin resistance. High blood sugar levels over time can cause health problems like heart attacks and strokes, as well as problems with eyes, kidneys, and feet. These are called diabetes complications.

The longer that type 2 diabetes remains undiagnosed the greater the risk of developing long-term complications such as eye disease (retinopathy). Being diagnosed earlier means these can be spotted and treated. I have family history of health issues so taking my diabetic reading seriously takes on more importance. I’m only focusing on type 2 in this blog as that is what I have and is the most usual form. As you will see, it may be possible to reverse type 2, but it does involve effort.

The most common symptoms of diabetes are:

feeling thirsty all the time
peeing more than usual
feeling very tired
losing weight without trying

Having diabetes can increase your chance of getting other health problems, including:

heart attack and stroke
kidney problems
nerve damage and foot problems – diabetes can cause damage to nerves (peripheral neuropathy)
sight problems
gum disease

Complications can develop over time and are linked to high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Managing your blood glucose well and keeping to your agreed target level can lower your chances of getting complications.

Treatment for diabetes includes regular health checks and getting support to be active, eat healthily, and maintain a healthy weight. Sometimes you may need to take medication, including insulin, and check your blood sugars regularly too.

Blood sugar levels can be reduced by following a healthy, balanced diet. One which limits added sugars and refined or processed starchy foods, and which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, beans, pulses, lean protein and sources of healthy (unsaturated) fats.

While this will not lower your blood sugar immediately, over time a healthy diet plus regular exercise can lower your blood sugar to a normal level. I took personal responsibility for my own health and self-treatment. I beat myself up for being in that position in the first place.

Six weeks after the original HbA1c reading, I went for a second one. The result for this one was 56 mmol/mol (9 mmol/l (I’ll use this measurement only from now)). So my levels had dropped 15%. This was because of increased levels of exercise as well as the calorie deficit diet. In Feb, I bought myself a blood test reader so I could monitor myself on a more regular basis. This does involve finger prick testing so not good for those with needle phobias. Other types of reader are available.

In March I saw the practice diabetic nurse. They talked about long term issues if lifestyle changes weren’t made. They weren’t very pleasant I have to say! I was also given some helpful leaflets etc for home reading. The nurse was surprised I was taking accountability for my own health. Not the done thing obviously!

In April I had a phone call with the gp. They wanted to prescribe me metformin, the common medical approach to diabetes. I politely declined. In addition to lifestyle changes I had already made, I was taking berberine and true cinnamon. These are natural solutions and I chose to follow this path with the help of a naturopath friend. Of course, diet and exercise were also important. My approach had already seen a 15% reduction in levels so I was confident this was the right way for me. At this point it was confirmed that I had Type 2 diabetes mellitus. That increased my resolve to fight and reverse it.

I saw an continued reduction in blood sugar levels over a regular period. In June, I had a further HbA1c test. This was 6.9 mmol/l. This is the top end of the normal range. To put it another way, in 5 months I’d dropped my blood sugar levels by 34%. Without prescribed medication.

Now in that time I’d done some silly things like eating cake to see just how that affected my levels. I persuaded myself this was for research purposes but in reality, I’d always had a sweet tooth and I just caved. I’d not had sugar at all for months. I felt shaky, hyper, and of course my levels rose substantially. So you see, common sense is something needed all the time. Although a little bit of naughtiness is ok, eating crap every day to excess stores problems for the future.

The beauty of taking my own readings was that I could monitor closely and identify issues that affect levels. I started a job in March which had physical as well as mental responsibilities. It could be stressy at times and I quickly realised that stress affected glucose levels massively. So I made sure I was clear of mind by meditating first thing in the morning. Following Reiki meditation practices in the morning made a big difference to my stress levels.

My lowest readings were during 2 festivals in August. At both I was giving Reiki and massage treatments so I was in a pretty good place for sure. Also, I was amongst friends and the weather was lush. And no stress, I ate sensibly, rested, and drank fresh spring water. Pretty idyllic tbh. But I did have a day where I ate carbs for breakfast, lunch, and tea. Dickhead right? Oh yes. I felt like shit the next day. More lessons learned on how to keep my levels on track though.

A family holiday and wedding in Sept/Oct was the next challenge. This was in Cyprus. Similar to Aug, the weather was gorgeous and it was a deeply resting break. I ate mainly a high protein carnivore diet, swam a lot, and got loads of vitamin D from sunbathing. For the first time in four years, I drank alcohol. I did stick to gin and tonic but even though I just had a few cheeky pink gins, these raised my levels the following morning. But whilst going back through my readings, the morning is when my levels were consistently highest. As my body woke and I moved, this reduced my levels fairly quickly though. I realised I didn’t miss hangovers though so not drunk since then.

I went away over Christmas. Full board in a hotel, lots of temptation. The coach arrived late and we were asked to go straight to the dining room for dinner. As I went in, someone was receiving CPR. They sadly passed. I later learned that the person was diabetic and hadn’t taken their insulin. I suspect this wasn’t the only medical issue that caused their passing, but it brought home to me the risks of ignoring diabetes. I didn’t want to deteriorate and become insulin dependent. It was a stark reality check.

Throughout the remainder of my stay I talked to many people and quite a few of them had diabetes. This is one of the reasons why I thought telling my story might help to raise awareness. If just one person can benefit, this blog has done its job.

New Years Eve 2025 I fasted until 2.30pm then had fruit and full fat Greek yoghurt smothered in cinnamon, and various seeds. Low/zero fat yoghurt is far higher in carbs. Checking food labels is something I do now as standard.

My reading two hours later was 5.7 mmol/l. Pretty damn good I say. I was asleep by 11pm whilst listening to meditation tracks rather than fireworks. The rock n roll lifestyle is but a distant memory nowadays!! But the year of my personal health project was complete. Health before wealth, me before conformity.

Today is New Years Day. This morning my reading is 5.8. I didn’t wake in the night for a pee. Result!! I slept right through. Sleep is so important to health and healing. My weight is still around 18 pounds lower than when I started seeing the trainer. My diet is balanced, I drink plenty of water. Exercise could be more but my new job will mean at least 40 minutes walking daily. I feel good.

Prior to writing this blog, I created a spreadsheet and entered all my blood sugar readings. From a starting point of 10.3 nearly 12 months ago, my overall average is 7 for the whole year. I have gone from being diabetic, through pre-diabetic and am now 0.1 away from being in the normal glucose range. I am bloody chuffed that I have achieved this. And I will continue to work on decreasing my levels.

Two weeks today I have a further HbA1c scheduled. And every year I will need to have a specialist eye test to check for deterioration. But it’s been a great kick up the ass for me. My previous lifestyle wasn’t great but now it is. We only get one crack at this life, and our bodies respect us for recognising that and trying to be healthy. Balancing mind, body, and soul really feels kinda nice.

This is a condition that if unchecked will have major implications for the future. Simple but sensible lifestyle changes will help, and in many cases reverse high blood sugar readings. In reality I'm sure most of us are at least a little pre-diabetic generally, but certainly after the excesses of Christmas. But please consider getting checked if you experience any of the symptoms, especially if you have them regularly. You'll thank yourself for it.

Pain Relief through orgone and Reiki energies

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:14:05 GMT

Reiki, Orgone, and Pain Relief

A study into the healing effects of Reiki and orgone accumulator blankets

Healing, in the context of this blog, is a restoration of wholeness. It is the act of restoring somebody to the state their mind, body and soul are meant to be at. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine NCCAM in America defines “energy healing therapy” as “the channeling of healing energy through the hands of a practitioner into the client’s body to restore a normal energy balance and, therefore, health”.

The NCCAM also addresses the concept of energy fields and says: “Practices based on putative energy fields (also called biofields) generally reflect the concept that human beings are infused with subtle forms of energy; qi gong, Reiki, and healing touch are examples of such practices.”

Energy Medicine or healing is a collection of holistic healing therapies that access “life force” to create balance and wellness. Life force has been known by dozens of names over thousands of years. It is called chi in China, ki in Japan; prana among Hindu and Tibetan cultures; mana in Polynesia; and baraka in North Africa. We all have the ability to heal but sometimes the healing language needs to be switched on or taught. You need to learn a language your body already speaks and understands – the language of energy.

Our body’s cells continually emit and respond to electrochemical signals that keeps us breathing, keeps our hearts pumping, digests food, and keeps us safe when microorganisms and other nasties invade.

So how does healing help the body?

The energy system of the human body consists of:

meridians (energy pathways). These are lines of energy running through the body. They look like a railway network. In a similar way, they link parts of the body at various points along the track. Think acupuncture where needles are placed on specific meridian points
chakras (energy centers). These are clockwise spinning vortexes within us. We tend to just recognise and work with the seven main ones although there are multiple other chakras too. Google it and you’ll see total numbers ranging of 22, 112, and even 88,000.
the aura or biofield (the body’s own electromagnetic field). This is made of several auric fields extending outwards from the body

All of these emit light and electromagnetic energy. It is these parts of the human anatomy that an energy healer engages to balance and restore health. We are a series of interacting multidimensional subtle-energy systems, and that if these energy systems become imbalanced will affect the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual planes. Healing will rebalance the subtle energy templates with the right frequency of vibrational medicine. Consider the word disease as being hyphenated to dis-ease i.e. the body not being at ease with itself.

Healing in the sense of non-surgical or medicinal interventions isn’t widely accepted by the mainstream health professions. As science can’t prove the benefits, or even that they exist, they simply debunk them. Yet some of what are known as complementary or alternative therapies were the only healing methods available before modern medicine. Acupuncture for example has been noted in records dating back 10,000 years.

So, on to the healing modalities that I used in a case study over the last few months. I have been studying and channelling Reiki for over 4 years. I use it daily in my own life. Most of you will know what Reiki is so I’ll not go into it here. I will instead focus on orgone energy.

I met Katja, the founder and creative driver, of the Orgone Room (www.theorgoneroom.com) several times when we both traded at various spiritual events. I was fascinated by the energy benefits that the blanket promised. Katja talked with such enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge and I was intrigued by its benefits.

In February 2024 I bought myself one. The moment I excitedly opened the package I knew I had made the right choice. Within 10 seconds of wrapping myself in the blanket, I felt incredibly strong waves of energy to my solar plexus and sacral chakras. As a Reiki healer, I knew I had to test the blanket out on clients. Little did I know just what a profound effect it was to have on them.

The pioneer of orgone energy was Wilhelm Reich (1897 – 1957). Reich was an apprentice of Sigmund Freud and a prominent psychoanalyst in Freud’s inner circle. He believed that neuroses and physical illness existed due to a lack of orgone energy within the body. This orgone energy he theorised existed in the atmosphere as well as within us.

Dr Reich applied research of psychological disorders to the behaviour of orgone. He found that energy blocked by traumatic memories was stored in the tissues of the body, which can cause muscular tension. He called this accumulation and blockage “armouring.” We know it better as stored trauma or PTSD nowadays.

He felt that giving the body extra orgone energy might enable it to overcome the blockages, so he designed and built a box called the “orgone accumulator”. The accumulator’s organic layers attracted atmospheric energy which was directed inward by the metal (non-organic) layers. Any energy reflected outward by the metal layers was immediately re-absorbed by the organic material, attracted back to the metal, and directed toward the inside of the box. The result was a higher concentration of orgone energy inside the box. The more layers, the stronger the concentration.

He constructed accumulators large enough for a person to sit in and in 1941 began experimental treatments with cancer patients. All were terminal cases. Reich promised no cure nor charged any money. Over a period of time, the patients showed marked improvement: relief of pain, healthier blood condition, weight gain. The treatment wasn’t intended to reverse the patients’ terminal diagnosis, but it did ease pain and suffering.

“We consider the discovery of the orgone energy among the greatest events in human history.”

(from a letter to the American Medical Association, signed by 17 medical doctors in 1949)

Reich was vilified by some in the establishment for his views and work. Undeterred, he continued to experiment with orgone and created a cloudbuster – an inverted version of the orgone accumulator, designed to break down orgone in clouds and cause rainfall. In 1953, two farmers paid him to create rain to protect their crops. This did happen, crops survived, he was paid, but there is no scientific evidence, just anecdotal evidence. It did put him on the radar of the Federal Drug Administration though. In 1954 an injunction was granted stopping Reich from selling or promoting the orgone generators across state lines.

In 1956 a well-meaning colleague transported a generator to a different county. Reich was arrested and found guilty of contempt of court. He was incarcinated and six tons of Reichs’ books, journals and papers were confiscated then burned in New York. He subsequently died in prison.

Reich's son, Peter, said of his father in 2011, "He was a nineteenth-century scientist; he wasn't a twentieth-century scientist. He didn't practice science the way scientists do today. He was a nineteenth-century mind who came crashing into twentieth-century America. And boom!” Therein lies the problem – energy healing can’t be proven by science, so scientists debunk it saying it doesn’t exist!

Interest in Reich’s work existed long after his death. In 2018, a non-scientific study placed some subjects in an accumulator box, and others in a wooden box. Sensors were placed on subjects.

Heart rate monitors showed no noticeable difference between subjects.
The breathing monitors showed those in the accumulator box exhibited deeper states of breathing, which suggests the subjects entered a deeper state of tranquility.
Stress sensors showed that stress levels of subjects in the fake accumulator rose the longer they stayed inside the box. Stress levels of those in the real accumulator decline.

Although not a conclusive study, it does indicate that the box created along the lines of Reich’s work had greater benefit.

Using Reich’s findings of orgone generating via organic and non-organic matter, all manner of things have been created, including blankets. The blanket I have is similar in shape to a duvet and covers the body from the root to throat chakra. It contains alternating layers of British sheep wool and pliable steel wool. My experience of the blanket’s energy when I first used it led me to starting a trial.

I offered treatments where initially clients would receive only Reiki. Then I would conclude the session by placing the orgone blanket over the subject. In total I gave approximately 25 treatments to 20 different clients. While writing this blog, I also saw a few others! Some of the subjects had received Reiki treatments with me prior to this study, most hadn’t.

As this isn’t a full scientific study, I will just give points of feedback from sessions rather than a few thousand words of somewhat dry rhetoric. Apologies to those I saw for calling them “subjects” but all client data I hold is anonymous. I thank you again for helping and supporting me.

Subjects had a mix of experiences of energy healing. I needed that to be so. To get a representative view needed a representative group. There were a mix of ages, the group was mainly female. Subjects either laid on the blanket, or the blanket placed on them. Areas of known pain were covered by the blanket.

During treatments given to the first few subjects, they reported feeling the usual effects of Reiki i.e. relaxed, calmed, content, regaining balance within themselves. After the blanket was placed over them though, these sensations became more heightened. One subject who has fibromyalgia reported that the blanket left the areas that are normally inflamed and painful feeling cool and pain free. From this feedback, I decided to change the parameters of the study to focus solely on whether pain relief can be achieved through Reiki and orgone energies.

Most subjects had increased levels of stress or emotional struggle. Physical and chronic conditions included fibromyalgia, auto-immune weakness, unstable blood limits, lupus, heart conditions (including recent heart attack and angina), bulging disc, sciatic discomfort, skin disorders, menopause.

All feedback from the sessions was positive. All subjects reported changes either physically or emotionally. Comments included:

Felt comfortably cool/cold causing physical discomfort to subside
Felt the energy more on left side, but I have recently been working on feminine energy
Hands tingling from the start of the treatment
I felt heavier energy down the right arm, gentler on left
It felt like a weighted blanket without the weight
It grounded my nervous energy
Where the blanket was, my legs, arm, and head felt disconnected and light
Calmed my energy from the inside
Felt heavy, then floaty, sinking into relaxation
Deep relaxation. I don’t normally sleep except in my own bed. I did sleep here
I felt a flow across the sacral chakra
Felt like I was lifting off the bed
Internally, the blanket cooled me, so this reduced the discomfort of fibromyalgia
Pain in legs reduced as I moved the blanket over my knees.
My fibro felt cooled
I was anxious when I arrived but calmer at the end
I felt energy flowing down my left side
After the session I felt grounded, calm inside, and feelings of disconnect I arrived with had disappeared; the blanket created a feeling of energetic connection
I had been feeling leg cramps since I had a stent fitted. The blanket stopped the cramps

Some subjects reported an extremely relaxing night’s sleep the evening of the treatment, with the benefits carrying forward to the next day.

Wilhelm Reich asserted that energy blockages would benefit from orgone energy. The blanket used in the study followed the designs Reich used in his accumulator in that it uses layers of organic and inorganic materials. It is safe to say that the positive results this study reported are consistent with those experienced by Reich and also in the 2018 study.

In conclusion, this study combined Reiki energy, orgone energy, and connections made with subjects that had known short term and chronic conditions. All subjects without exception reported positive outcomes. It is my belief that the positive outcomes can be attributed to:

The connection created between the Reiki practitioner and the subjects
The intention of the Reiki practitioner to create balance between orgone and Reiki energies being delivered
The experience of the practitioner of channelling Reiki
The setting created by the Reiki practitioner
The intuitive abilities of the Reiki practitioner to understand the relationship between the energies, and the delivery of them to the subjects
The stored energy of the blanket remaining high due to the care given by the practitioner when it wasn’t in use

The treatments given by the author are classed as complementary therapies. The author is a fully qualified, experienced, and insured holistic and body work therapist.

At no time did this study promise to deliver long-term alleviation or cure to subjects' conditions. Results were short term relief and do not replace mainstream medical treatments subjects currently receive.

The content of this study is the copyrighted property of Darren Burke of Darren Burke Energy Healing. It may be reproduced in part or whole, but reference and credit must be given to Darren Burke as the creator and author.

An awakening

darrenburke100@hotmail.com (Darren Burke) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:06:10 GMT

Having this poem as my first blog seems appropriate. It was written by me, for me. Now I am comfortable with who I am, I'm happy to share it publicly.

I'm asking people to trust me to give them therapies and treatments. I hope this poem and subsequent blogs shows my authenticity.

Namaste

Shackled, alone, afraid, confused

The child inside, dark in mood

Life of conformity, not taught how to survive

Stifled, repressed, barely alive

Lost and depressed he wearily walks

Emotions confused, unable to talk

But still he believes that light IS out there

But demons inside tell him he should not care

He’s fearful, uncertain, why should he explore?

To be knocked back down? Like so often before?

Years roll on and darkness remains

Happy at times, but happiness wanes

Empty, hollow, a life not lived

Eager to please, still eager to give

But used, forgotten, turmoiled soul

That’s black in colour. Could it ever be whole?

Then clouds start to clear, what’s this he feels?

Enveloping light, its glow surreal

Still confused, still afraid, but now a warmth deep inside

He grows taller, believes, not wanting to hide

From the comfort, the strength, his yearning so strong

Now released, unshackled, having waited so long

“I can feel who I am, I can be who I am”

For life now awakened. The strength of a man,

Whose light, and soul, and life he’s now got

Replaces the darkness, decay and the rot,

Of uncertain and confused lonely thoughts and of tears

And control, and of doubt, and of so many fears

Light shining, and burning, and guiding the way

New life he will live, the new strength for to say

“I’m weak, I’m afraid, I will lose my way” , but

“I’m strong, I am brave, I will not hide away”

“I’ll be me, I’ll continue to grow and survive”

For his essence, his light, his heart will thrive

By exploring, and learning, and touching much more

Than his demons, his fears, allowed him before

Now on, and on, and on he must go

His light, his new purpose to all he must show

To seek out those souls he has power to heal

To listen, enlighten, empower, and feel

Their pain and their sadness, confusion and strife

For they too have suffered so much in their life