Everything you need to know about this wonderful therapy
Reiki is a non-invasive, versatile, gentle, complementary therapy that in recent years has seen a huge rise in popularity. And no wonder as it is a completely safe, soothing therapy that relaxes, destresses, eases aches & pains, and aids recovery from many ailments.
If you’ve heard of Reiki and aren’t sure what it is, then you have come to the right place. This guide tells you everything you need to know about Reiki.
What is Reiki?
The meaning of the name Reiki sums the therapy up nicely! Reiki has Japanese roots, and the name is derived from two Japanese words – Rei – which means universal, and Ki – which refers to the vital life force that is present in all life forms.
Put simply, a Reiki practitioner uses subtle hand movements and gentle touch to manipulate and repair the body’s natural energy flows. This has hugely beneficial effects.
Reiki is a holistic therapy. Rather than targeting a specific ailment or area, it treats the energy flow within the body as a whole.
In doing so, Reiki helps restore emotional balance, relaxes, aids recovery from illnesses, and also has physical benefits. Reiki massage therapy has proven to be so successful at emotional and physical healing that it is now commonly used by medical practitioners the world over as a complementary therapy and aid to healing.
What are the benefits of Reiki?
The benefits of Reiki are many, it can be used by those just seeking a gentle form of relaxation that boosts overall health and well-being. In fact, it is so relaxing that it isn’t unheard of for recipients to fall asleep during a Reiki session!
But, as well as being a wonderful therapy just to relax and destress, Reiki also has plenty of other benefits and uses too:
As a complementary therapy to traditional Medicine
Hospitals and hospices will often use Reiki as a complementary treatment for a wide range of illnesses and circumstances. Patients benefit from Reiki because it removes “energy blockages” that can hinder the body’s natural recovery processes.
The limited contact nature of the therapy also makes it perfect for helping with injuries which are too painful or delicate to touch. This makes it a perfect option for cases where extreme pain is involved.
The number of scenarios where Reiki can be beneficial as a complementary therapy is too numerous to list, but here are just a few examples:
- Promote bone and tissue healing after surgery or injury
- Asthma
- As a natural pain reliever
- Supports the well-being of chronically and terminally ill patients
- Aids recovery from mental health illnesses
- Boosts the body’s immune system
- As a treatment for backaches and joint pain
Amongst the conditions and illnesses that can benefit from Reiki are chronic pain, digestive problems, depression & anxiety, stress-related conditions, Parkinson’s disease, and infertility, to name a few.
Improves emotional well-being
By releasing energy blockages that have built up through stress and anxiety, Reiki can have an immediate and resounding effect on emotional well-being.
During a session, Reiki can bring on a “meditative state” that allows the body to fully relax and helps restore the natural energy flows to their proper state. This is great for immediately feeling less stressed, but in the long run, it also promotes:
- Confidence levels
- Improved focus
- A more balanced perspective on the things that matter (and don’t!) in life
- Aids sleep patterns
It can also be used as a preventative measure that can help to maintain physical and mental well-being by enhancing your ability to deal with stress and the ups and downs of life.
Is Reiki a medical treatment?
No, the important word here is “complementary”. Although Reiki can help boost recovery times and ease aches and pains, it is not a replacement for traditional medicine. Rather, it is a recovery aid that better positions the body and mind of patients to recover from injury or illness.
What does a Reiki session involve?
A reiki session can last anywhere between 30-minutes and 90-minutes. During the session, the therapist will use a series of subtle hand movements and light touches to manipulate the universal energy.
The process re-energises the energy field and restores the body’s natural balance. Because it relies on the “universal energy field” and not the therapist’s or the patient’s own energy, the energy can pass through clothing. For this reason, a reiki session can be performed fully clothed, with the recipient usually lying on a treatment couch.
Are there any side effects to Reiki?
Unless you class a deep feeling of relaxation and feeling re-energised as side effects, then there are no other reported side effects. Reiki is so gentle it can be performed during a lunch break with no downtime. All that is normally required is a recommended few minutes to relax as you return to full awareness, after which you can go straight back to work.
Conclusion
Reiki is a gentle yet powerful treatment that can be used simply as an aid to relaxation or as a stress buster but can also be incredibly powerful as a complementary therapy for a wide range of conditions and illnesses.
If you want to know more about Reiki and its benefits, why not contact us today!
