What is Reiki?
Reiki
(pronounced RAY – KEY) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and
relaxation that also promotes healing. The word Reiki is made up of two words –
Rei, which means Universal – and Ki, which means spirit, energy or life force. Reiki is usually defined as “Universal Life
Energy”.
Reiki as it is most
commonly taught and practiced today was developed in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui in
the early 1900s. There is evidence that different forms of this energy practice
have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years for physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual healing. Reiki is not a new age practice and while many
consider it to be spiritual in nature, neither is it a religion. No mental preparation or direction is needed to receive a
treatment, only a desire to receive and accept the energy. Since Reiki requires
no specific setting or preparation, it can be utilized in virtually limitless
settings including all hospital environments and other patient settings.
How Does Reiki work?
Reiki practitioners
have received both extensive training and Reiki attunements which raise and
accelerate their energy flow. Reiki is a non-invasive hands-on, light touch
technique that delivers the Reiki energy to the recipient through the
practitioner. The
person being treated is not “healed” by the practitioner. The benefit is
derived from the life energy flowing to the recipient. There are no side
effects or contraindications with Reiki and it is safe for all ages from
premature babies to the elderly. Reiki can be performed on a client while he or
she is lying down, sitting or standing. No adjustment in clothing needs to be
made.
What Are the benefits?
Truly
complementary and only capable of producing positive effects Reiki has been used for a wide
variety of health related purposes. It helps relieve stress, agitation and acute and
chronic pain; it is helpful as an aid for sleeping; and it also can be an energizer.
It promotes the release of emotions such as grief, anger or anxiety and
provides comfort in palliative care. Reiki accelerates wound healing, aids in
recovery from surgery and anesthesia as well as side effects of chemotherapy
and radiation therapy for cancer. It produces a feeling of mental clarity,
calmness, well-being and spiritual connection in the recipient.
What to expect
from a treatment?
Having a Reiki
treatment is really quite simple. A Reiki session DOES NOT involve massage and
the client remains fully clothed throughout the session. Treatment may be given
while the recipient lies on a massage table, sits in a chair or stands. The
practitioner lightly places their hands on or above multiple key positions of
the body facilitating the flow of energy. The hands are held in these positions
for a few seconds to several minutes depending on the needs of the client. The
treatment usually lasts from 30 to 90 minutes with typical sessions lasting
about an hour. The
client is always a participant and is always in control.For more information please visit the following websites:
Reiki Medicine and Self-Care with Pamela Miles
The International Center for Reiki Training
NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
REIKI is a hands-on Japanese
natural healing system of energy balancing for the purpose of stress reduction
and relaxation only. It is not a substitute for medical or psychological
diagnosis and treatment. Always consult your health care professional first.
Reiki practitioners do not diagnose medical conditions, nor do they perform
medical treatment, prescribe substances or interfere with the treatment of a
licensed medical professional. Reiki is meant only to compliment medical
treatments and not to replace them. It is strongly recommended you see a
licensed physician or other licensed health care professional for any physical
or psychological ailment that you may be suffering from or suspect that you may
have.
