What is Reiki?
Reiki comes from the Japanese words [rei] and [ki] meaning universal energy. Reiki has been practiced for thousands of years. Mikao Usui developed the current method of Usui Reiki Ryoho in 1922. The purpose of Reiki is to identify and release energy blockages in the body due to physical or emotional injury, similar to acupuncture or acupressure (Newman, 2023).
Reiki is a popular complementary modality used in a variety of healing spaces, such as clinics and hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and palliative care. Due to its gentle, non-invasive approach, it is appropriate even for the most fragile of patients. Advocates report feelings of deep relaxation, a decrease in pain and anxiety, and a sense of psychospiritual well-being (McManus, 2017).
What happens in a Reiki session?
Reiki, whether in person or at a distance, works purely with energy transfer and does not involve physical touch. An exception to this in animal Reiki may be an animal choosing to have physical contact with the practitioner during a session.
In preparation for your Reiki session, you or your animal companion should be seated or lying down in a comfortable position, free from distractions. The practitioner will establish a connection with you or your companion’s consciousness, then hold their hands lightly above regions of the body for several moments, focusing particularly on areas of injury until the energy has rebalanced. Sessions last between 15-45 minutes.
After your session, your practitioner will share a detailed summary of the energy progression that occurred, including where energy blockages appeared in the body and any relevant observations to support continued care. Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment; however, a meta-analysis of clinical studies reports that many who receive Reiki report noticeable improvements in their physical and mental health symptoms (McManus, 2017). Targeted Reiki treatments are available to address specific concerns. At Kind Energy Works, we provide a free consultation to determine how Reiki can best meet your wellness needs and goals.
McManus, D. E. (2017). Reiki is better than placebo and has broad potential as a complementary health therapy. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, 22(4), 1051-1057.
Newman, T. (2023, June 14). Everything you need to know about Reiki. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308772
