REIKI

Reiki is best held in a peaceful setting, but it can be carried out anywhere. The patient will sit in a comfortable chair or lie on a table, fully clothed. There may or may not be music, depending on the patient’s preference.

The practitioner places their hands lightly on or over specific areas of the head, limbs, and torso using different hand shapes, for between 2 and 5 minutes. The hands can be placed over 20 different areas of the body.

If there is a particular injury, such as a burn, the hands may be held just above the wound. Also any broken bone injured.

While the practitioner holds their hands lightly on or over the body, the transfer of energy takes place. During this time, the practitioner’s hands may be warm and tingling. Each hand position is held until the practitioner senses that the energy has stopped flowing.

When the practitioner feels that the heat, or energy, in their hands has abated, they will remove their hands and may place them over a different area of the body.

Some Reiki techniques

The techniques involved have names such as:

• Centering
• Clearing
• Beaming
• Extracting harmful energies
• Infusing
• Smoothing and raking the aura

Health benefits

The healing effects of Reiki are mediated by channeling the universal energy known as qi, pronounced “chi.” In India, this is known as “prana.” This is the same energy involved in tai chi exercise. It is the life force energy that some believe surrounds all of us.

This energy is said to permeate the body. Reiki experts point out that, while this energy is not measurable by modern scientific techniques, it can be felt by many who tune in to it0.

Reiki aids relaxation, assists in the body’s natural healing processes, and develops emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

In addition, Reiki induces deep relaxation, helps people cope with difficulties, relieves emotional stress, and improves overall wellbeing.

People who receive Reiki describe it as “intensely relaxing.”

Conditions that Reiki has been used to help treat include:

• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic Pain
• Infertility
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Autism
• Crohn’s Disease
• Fatigue Syndromes

Cancer patients who have Reiki say they feel better after. This may be because it helps them relax. Time spent with the healing energy of a Reiki practitioner has a soothing effect on patients who may be overwhelmed by invasive therapy, fear, and stress.

Individuals report different experiences. Some say that the practitioner’s hands become hot, others report cooling hands and some people feel pulsating waves. The most common reports are of a release of stress and deep relaxation.

Key Points

• Reiki is a form of energy therapy.
• Despite skepticism in some circles, it is growing in popularity.
• It involves the transfer of energy by laying on hands.
• Reiki’s advocates say it can treat many conditions and emotional states.
• Small studies show that Reiki can slightly reduce pain, but no studies have shown that it is effective in treating any diseases.
• Some hospitals in America and Europe offer Reiki, but insurance rarely covers i