What Is Reiki & How Does It Work?

What is Reiki? Reiki is an energy therapy whose history goes back 2500 years ago, and was rediscovered in the late 1800s by Dr. Mikao Usui, from Japan.  It was brought to the U.S. in the 1970s. Reiki is actually two words:  “Rei,” meaning “universal” and “ki,” meaning “life  force” or “energy,” like chi or prana.  The focus of Reiki is to enhance the flow of energy through and around a client’s body, enhancing the health and well-being of the person on every level – mind, body and spirit. Many eastern practices support the principle that when there is a disruption in the flow of energy, illness or issues can manifest.  Reiki helps eliminate the disruption or blockage of energy in a person’s system. A Reiki practitioner accesses the universal energy and directs it to the client for the purpose of healing in a holistic way – mind, body and spirit.  While the practitioner performs Reiki on the entire body, an emphasis is placed on the seven primary energy centers (chakras) of a person. How is Reiki performed? Reiki is performed on a fully-clothed person lying face-up on a treatment table (massage table).  The practitioner gently places her hands on or above the body in strategic positions starting at the top of the head and ending at the soles of the feet.  The session may end with the person lying face-down, so the practitioner can access the back. Reiki can also be performed on a person sitting in a chair or wheelchair, however most people are able to maximize the relaxation benefits when lying down. 

How long does a session last? A Reiki session is typically one hour, however benefits can be achieved in only minutes.  

What does Reiki feel like? Most people initially feel the benefits of relaxation and stress reduction.  Very often, a person will feel a penetrating heat emitting from the hands of the practitioner, that most describe as very comforting.  A person might also feel a slight tingling that represents the energy moving through the body.  Some people might even fall asleep during a session, immediately going to a very deep state.  After the session, a person might initially feel a little sleepy, however once they start moving around they might feel more energized than before.  Those seeking relief from pain might feel immediate benefits upon the end of the session, or might reach maximum results within the following few days. 

What are the benefits of Reiki?

• Stress reduction and relaxation
• Works on all levels -- physical and emotional
• Helps heal the subconscious mind where many emotional issues are rooted
• Relief from pain
• Enhances healing of all illness
• Reduces the side effects of chemotherapy
• Enhances and facilitates benefits of psychotherapy
• Comforts the elderly
• Heals the cause of illness/disease and relieves symptoms
• Offers peace to the terminally ill
• Reduces anxiety and panic disorder
• Surgery patients need less anesthesia, come out of anesthesia more easily with less side effects

How long does it take for Reiki to work? Reiki has immediate benefits in promoting a relaxed and peaceful state.  For other physical and/or emotional concerns, immediate benefits can also be experiences, however some people will experience a delayed reaction.
How many Reiki sessions do I need? It depends on the person, the situation that is of concern and how they respond to the treatment.  I have seen people completely better after one session, however it usually is a process for most.  Also, many people use Reiki in conjunction with either psychotherapy or other medical treatment they may be getting for a physical issue.  Reiki can enhance other treatments a person is using and can hasten the benefits. 

Can Reiki harm a person?  Are there side effects? Reiki can never harm a person or worsen any condition/illness.  There are no negative side effects at all.  If nothing else, people reap the benefits of relaxation and stress reduction.  Reiki is a gentle healing energy that only offers positive benefits and results. 

 Can Reiki be performed on children? Reiki can be used on children and is especially effective for children diagnosed with ADHD or autism, promoting calmness.  In general, Reiki can also be used on children to help facilitate recovery of typical childhood illnesses or injuries. 

Can Reiki be used on pets? Reiki is commonly used on pets.  Some Reiki practitioners volunteer in their local SPCA or Human Society to help with abandoned pets.