Reiki

Explore Reiki

WHAT IS REIKI?

Reiki is a Japanese form of alternative therapy commonly referred to as energy healing. Practitioners use a technique called “palm healing” or “hands-on healing” in order to transfer a universal energy known as qi (pronounced “chi”) through their palms in order to promote physical and emotional well-being in the patient. Qi is the life force energy that surrounds all of us, referred to in India as “prana”.

The word Reiki means “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign”. It comes from the Japanese words “rei” which means universal and “ki” which means life energy. Practitioners claim that energy can stagnate in the body where there has been a physical injury or emotional distress. The stagnant energy blocks can lead to disease and illness.

Similar to acupuncture or acupressure, a Reiki healer can restore the flow of energy around the body and enable relaxation and healing while reducing pain and other effects of an illness.

Despite patients claiming immense benefits, Reiki is consider a “pseudoscience” because it is hard to prove effectiveness through traditional scientific methods. That said, a survey in the early 2000’s revealed that over 1.2 million adults had tried Reiki as a way to reduce pain and it continues to grow in popularity.

WHERE DID REIKI ORIGINATE?

Reiki has existed for thousands of years however its current form was developed in 1922 by a Japanese Buddhist named Mikao Usui. Usai taught thousands of people the healing method during his lifetime and the practice was subsequently spread throughout the US and Europe. Reiki is offered at dozens of hospitals and hospices but is rarely covered by insurance.

No prior training, education or experience is needed to become trained in Reiki. A master will simply transfer the attunement energy and healing techniques to the student. The Reiki training often requires 2-3 of fasting, meditation and energy work shared from master to student. A student that reaches the level of “Master” can then teach others and can heal from a distance like a form of energy prayer.

Due to limited regulation and licensing of this practice, there are plenty of online programs that will provide a certificate of completion for a fee without the actual energy training needed and contemplated by the original healers that use this modality.

HOW TO PRACTICE REIKI

Reiki sessions are typically held in peaceful settings, but can be conducted anywhere. A practitioner will hold their hands over different areas of the patient while the energy transfer takes place. The practitioner’s hands will become warm and tingle during the process .Once they sense the energy has stopped flowing and heat has abated, they will move their hands to another part of the body.

The key is to restore the natural energy flow within the patient and remove energy blockages at the site of an injury - whether physical or emotional. Techniques used by Reiki healers are referred to as “centering”, “clearing”, “beaming” and “infusing”. Some practitioners will use chakra healing wands and crystals to further enable healing, identify energy blockages and protect a patient from negative energy. Sessions last between 15 and 90 minutes or more.

WHY PRACTICE REIKI?

Reiki is said to support relaxation, remove emotional distress, foster faster healing of injuries and improve overall well-being. The healing effects are achieved by channeling the universal energy - qi or prana to various areas of the body. While the energy is not measurable by modern scientific techniques, the life force energy that surrounds each of us can be felt by those attuned to it.

Although Reiki has been used to treat a variety of physical ailments and emotional distress, it should be used as an adjunct treatment to support healing and not as an alternative to medical issues. Studies have not been able to demonstrate scientific basis or provide empirical evidence to the Reiki healing, however there has been nothing to show that this healing modality has any danger or poses safety concerns for the patient.