Reiki began in Japan in the late 1800s and is sometimes called biofield therapy. Reiki uses healing energy that is channeled from the reiki therapist to the client with the goal of reducing stress, pain, and fatigue while enhancing energy. Reiki therapists use their hands to transfer energy, either moving their hands just over the body without touching or by lightly touching the body. This therapy can offer significant benefits with little to no negative side effects.
Mikao Usui developed reiki, deriving the term from the Japanese words rei, meaning “spirit,” “higher power,” or “divine power,” and ki, which refers to the vital life force energy that flows through all living things. Reiki is now used all over the world, including in hospitals and hospices, to complement other forms of health treatments. Reiki can be considered holistic, complementary, integrative, and/or alternative. Reiki is not rooted in any religious ideology and is practiced by people of all religious persuasions as well as those with no religious convictions.
Reiki is a life force energy which has a spiritual component in its healing. The word reiki is made of two Japanese words, rei, which means Divine Power, God’s Wisdom, or Higher Power, and ki is the “life force energy.” Reiki is a spiritually-guided life force energy.
Life force is a subtle energy in all living beings that surrounds and flows through pathways via chakras, meridians, and nadis. This life force nourishes all the cells in the body and supports their functioning. One may feel weak when the life force is low and susceptible to illness.
Thoughts and feelings can affect the life force. The flow of life force becomes disrupted, causing diminished functioning of body organs if one has negative thoughts or negative feelings. Overall body balance is disturbed, and then illness occurs. Strengthening the life force will help the body heal and remain healthy.
How does reiki work?
Reiki increases the supply of life force energy and helps healing. It promotes relaxation, feelings of peace, and reduces stress. One can start moving toward physical, mental, and spiritual balance, and the body’s own healing mechanisms begin to function more effectively.
Reiki is administered by placing the hands lightly on or near the body of the client. The healing energy from the body and hands of the reiki practitioner flows to the client, who may experience feelings of relaxation, mental clarity, pain relief, decreased anxiety, and a sense of wellbeing. There has been a great deal of research which has shown that this occurs because the activity of parasympathetic autonomic nervous system in the client increases significantly.
What happens during a reiki session?
At the first appointment, the process and your expectations or intentions are reviewed. It is important to mention any symptoms to be addressed or if there are places in the body which need more focus. Also let the practitioner know of any injuries or places that are sensitive to touch.
The client lies on a massage table during the session fully clothed, and the practitioner gently places their hands, palms down, on or just above the body in specific energy locations. The length of time that the practitioner leaves their hands in each position is determined by the flow of energy through their hands at each location. Reiki differs from other touch therapies in that there is no pressure, massage, or manipulation involved.
Music in the Solfeggio frequencies is played during the session. For the most part, there is no talking during the session, but the practitioner need to know if there’s something needed to feel more comfortable. The client can choose to include sound healing as part of the session as well.
What does Reiki feel like?
Most feel very relaxed and peaceful during reiki treatment, and many fall asleep during the process. Sensations such as heat or tingling may be experienced. Some report seeing visualizations such as colors or pictures or having memories appear. Allow whatever arises to pass without attaching too much meaning to it. Experiences may become deeper the more one continues with reiki.
Preparing for your appointment
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Remove shoes, jewelry, and glasses before the session, and keep phones turned off.
Can Reiki replace traditional medical treatments?
No. Reiki treatment should never be used as a substitute for the consultation of a medical practitioner. Always consult your medical practitioner(s) if you plan to use reiki to help with any medical condition. Remember that reiki is a complementary therapy and should be used together with a conventional medical treatment plan.
For suggestions in talking to your practitioner(s), the National Cancer Institute has created the pamphlet Talking About Complementary And Alternative Medicine With Health Care Providers: A Workbook And Tips to help.
