SPIRITUAL healer David Clarke faced his strangest cast this week when he was asked to use his powers to help a parrot which had lost its voice.

David, of Bridge House, Walton Gardens, is a master of the ancient healing system of Reiki, which was developed in the last century by Dr Mikao Usui from ancient Buddhist teachings.

As one of only 50 people in the world practising Reiki to his high standard, David is used to dealing with people suffering from the stresses and strains of late 20th century life.

But when he was contacted by bird lover Janine Higgins about her beloved pet parrot, Flint, a three-year-old African Grey, he decided he could use his powers to help.

"Flint had a viral infection which was treated with antibiotics by our vet," said Janine, who travelled from her home in Widnes to David's home to get treatment for her bird.

"But he was suffering from stress and had started to hurt himself. He just wasn't himself and had stopped talking."

David gave Flint his first session this week and will see the poorly polly another three or four times. "The energy will flow from me into the bird," he explained.

"Anyone can use their hands to heal, they just have to have the faith to do it."

David is a seventh degree Reiki Master who has studied with experts from all over the world. He is also a qualified martial arts instructor, training centre assessor and lecturer in holistic therapies.

He believes that the future of modern medicine is in the hands of faith healers. When he treats his patients, his hands become red hot and the energy can be transferred through clothing, or even something as thick as a plaster cast.

He added: "Although this is the first time I have worked with animals, I know that Reiki works really well with them because they have no preconceived ideas about what should happen and therefore put up no defences."

Anyone interested in contacting David can telephone 266343.

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