What is Reiki and How Does it Work?

Reiki healing is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation while also promoting the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Reiki is based on the idea that an unseen ‘life force energy’ flows through use (all of us) and is what causes us to be alive. That said, if one’s ‘life force energy’ or ‘chi’ is low or unbalanced, then we are much more likely to get sick, feel stressed, or suffer from things like anxiety. However, if one's‘ life force energy’ is high and more balanced, then we are more capable of being relaxed, happy, and healthy.

The word Reiki is made up of two Japanese words. Rei which means ‘God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power’ and Ki which is ‘Life force energy’. Therefore, Reiki is often referred as a spiritually guided life force energy, a form of energy healing, and alternative medicine accessible to everyone.

Reiki treats the whole of a person from the body to the emotions, mind and spirit. Because of this, there are many beneficial aspects to it such as feelings of peace, security, well-being, and a deep sense of relaxation.

There is nothing you must believe to receive a Reiki healing method as it is innately spiritual. Reiki is a simple, natural (non-invasive), and safe energy healing method aiding in self-improvement and boosting a person’s overall well-being.

Brief History of Reiki Healing

There are different branches of Reiki but Usui Reiki is one of the most popular forms. This method was practiced in Japan in the early 1900s by Mikao Usui who has been credited as the founder of Usui Reiki, and what we know as modern Reiki. Mikao Usui was a lifelong spiritual seeker with various lineages of Buddhist, Taoist, and Shinto practices which coexisted as the dominant themes in Japanese spirituality and culture.

Usui travelled mostly in Japan throughout the last 4 years of his life, offering his spiritual teaching to more than 2,000 students. But, he only trained 16 of them as Reiki masters. One of these masters was known as Chujiro Hayashi, who worked with Usui to extract the healing practices from Usui’s greater body of teachings to be more widely spread.

With Usui’s blessings, Hayashi opened a Reiki clinic in Tokyo where 16 practitioners gave treatments. Hawayo Takata, a first-generation Japanese-American, came to Hayashi's clinic for relief from a number of medical conditions, including asthma. Months of treatment restored Takata's health, and she became a devoted student.

With the guidance and support of Hayashi, Takata brought Reiki to Hawaii in 1937 and eventually to the US mainland. Takata practiced and taught Reiki for 40 years before she began training Reiki masters who are practitioners empowered to teach others. Since Takata's death in December 1980, her 22 Reiki masters have spread her teachings.

Reiki is now a popular practice around the world.

Health Benefits of Reiki

There are a number of benefits of Reiki healing, almost too many to name as every instance is different.

Everyone’s ‘situation’ is different however, some of the most common benefits of Reiki are:

• Promotes natural healing (accelerates the body’s self-healing abilities)

• Relieves pain and tension in the body

• Stimulates the immune system

• Encourages a deep state of relaxation (like that of a massage or meditation)

• Can support the well-being of individuals receiving traditional medical treatments or aid in tissue healing for those who have had a serious surgery

• Create feelings of peace, relaxation, and overall wellness

• Boosts mood and quality of sleep

• Eases physical pain and improves the quality of life

• Breaks down energy or emotional blocks and balances the mind, body, and spirit

• Clears the mind improving focus

• Promotes harmony and balance

Disclaimer: Although Reiki is not a treatment that is promoted to replace consultation from a physician, it does and can complement other types of medical and therapeutic treatments. Further, it can increase the effectiveness of other types of healing as a wonderful complementary treatment.

What types of conditions can Reiki heal?

Reiki works on the whole self, meaning the mind, body, and emotions. Since it’s a universal life force (Prana, Chi, etc.), it can help in all types of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all because every ‘case’ is truly unique to each and every individual. But, some of the conditions Reiki helps with are:

• Chronic Pain

• Digestive Problems

• Depression and Anxiety

• Stress-related illnesses

• And more

Reiki is also a powerful tool for preparing one for surgery, boosting recovery afterwards as well.

What does Reiki Healing feel like?

During a Reiki Healing session, it’s normal to feel a form of sensations such as heat, tingling or pulsing where the Reiki practitioner has placed their hands. Some may feel sensations moving throughout their body while others may not perceive any changes at all.

Usually, people will feel a deep sense of relaxation and peace during and after a Reiki healing treatment.

How Reiki is Performed

During a Reiki healing session, whether in person or from a distance, you will lay on a massage table or in your bed at home, if it’s a distance Reiki healing session. You will be fully clothed and oftentimes covered with a blanket to aid in your comfort. The Reiki practitioner will lightly rest their hands on (or hover over) various parts of your body where energy flows - usually (but not limited to) the main chakras.

The hand positions cover three main areas: your major organs, chakras, and meridians which are also known as energy pathways. These are all over your body and everyone has them. So, during a healing session, Reiki practitioners will touch or hover over your head, chest, midsection, and feet. It’s a non-invasive and gentle approach. Most Reiki practitioners are intuitive which means if there is a part of your body, energy pathways, or chakras that might need more focus, they may spend more time in those areas.

Reiki sessions can be anywhere between 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes.

Summary

Reiki healing is a method for aiding the body’s energy system reach a state of homeostasis. It’s an ancient practice dating back to the 1920s. Reiki practitioners strive to improve the health, wellness, and overall quality of life through the Reiki healing system. This helps to restore a person’s overall balance whether that is emotionally, physically, or mentally.

Reiki is often used as a self-care method for oneself or family or as supportive therapy to balance one’s overall well-being. Reiki is often offered in hospitals or medical settings as supportive therapy to wellness and traditional medical care.

What is Reiki FAQs

Below are a couple of frequently asked questions about what Reiki healing can heal and how it can help people.

Can Reiki help anxiety?

Reiki healing can help with anxiety and depression. This is one of the main benefits of receiving Reiki healing.

Can Reiki help with pain?

Yes, Reiki can help with pain whether you suffer from migraines or joint pain. Reiki is a complementary healing method.

Is Reiki safe?

Reiki is 100% safe. There are not any adverse reiki side effects as it is a gentle and non-invasive method of natural healing.

Who can get Reiki Healing?

Anyone can have a Reiki healing session. It is open to anyone who feels called to this sort of healing method, no matter what.