Reiki is an alternative treatment that is also known as energy healing. According to legend, it was first practiced in Japan in the late 1800s and involves the transference of universal energy from the practitioners’ palms to the patient’s palms.
Energy healing has been practiced in various forms for hundreds of years. According to proponents, it operates by affecting the energy fields surrounding the body.
Because it is difficult to demonstrate the usefulness of Reiki by scientific techniques, there is some dispute around it. However, many people who have received Reiki have stated that it is effective, and its popularity is growing. A search for the keyword on Google currently gives no less than 68,900,000 results, according to the site.
According to a 2007 study, 1.2 million adults in the United States (U.S.) have attempted Reiki or a similar therapy at least once in the preceding year, according to the results of the survey. It is estimated that more than 60 hospitals provide Reiki services to their patients.
Reiki definition
The term “Reiki” literally translates as “mysterious atmosphere, amazing sign.” It is derived from the Japanese words “rei” (universal) and “ki” (life energy). Reiki is a method of energy healing that has been around for a long time.
Energy healing works by focusing on the energy fields that surround the body.
It is believed by practitioners that energy can get stagnant in the body when there has been a physical damage or possibly emotional distress. These energy stumbling blocks can eventually lead to sickness.
Similarly to acupuncture and acupressure, energy medicine tries to facilitate the passage of energy and remove obstructions. It has been suggested that improving the flow of energy around the body can help to promote relaxation, reduce pain, promote healing, and alleviate other symptoms of illness, according to practitioners.
Reiki has been practiced for thousands of years in many forms. The Reiki method, in its current form, was established in 1922 by a Japanese Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui, who is said to have taught more than 2,000 individuals during his lifetime about the technique. Originally practiced in Hawaii, the practice extended to other parts of the United States and subsequently to Europe in the 1980s.
It is also referred to as palm healing or hands-on healing in some circles.
What occurs during a Reiki session?
Reiki sessions are most effective when held in a calm environment, but they can be performed anywhere. The patient will be fully clothed and will either sit in a comfy chair or lie down on a table. Depending on the patient’s preferences, music may or may not be played throughout the procedure.
For between 2 and 5 minutes, the practitioner lightly places their hands on or over certain parts of the head, limbs, and torso, employing a variety of different hand shapes and movements. It is possible to place the hands in over 20 distinct locations on the body.
For injuries that require special attention, such as burns, the hands may be held just above them.
The transfer of energy occurs while the practitioner places their hands lightly on body. When this occurs, it is possible for the practitioner’s hands to become warm and tingling. In each hand position, the practitioner holds it until he or she feels that the energy has finished flowing.
When the physician feels the heat, or energy, in their hands has subsided, they will withdraw them and place them on another part of the body.
Some Reiki techniques
The techniques associated have names such as:
- centering
- clearing
- beaming
- extracting harmful energies
- infusing
- smoothing and raking the aura
Some Reiki practitioners will make use of crystals and chakra healing wands because they believe that these can aid in the healing process or protect a person’s house from harmful energies.
However, Annie Harrington, Chair of the Reiki Federation of the United Kingdom (U.K.), stated in an interview with Medical News Today:
Reiki relies on no other instruments beyond the practitioner. We do not use crystals, powders or wands as a general rule. However, one of the benefits of Reiki healing is distance healing (where Reiki is sent over several miles) then, many practitioners will use crystals to assist with the energy vibrations.”
Sessions might last anywhere from 15 minutes to 90 minutes. The number of sessions required will vary based on what the client desires to achieve during the course of treatment. Some customers choose to have a single session, but others want to have a series of appointments to address a specific problem.
Health benefits Reiki
Qi, which is pronounced “chi,” is believed to be the source of healing and is channeled by practitioners to produce the desired results. This is referred to as “prana” in Indian culture. Tai Chi is a workout that uses the same type of energy as this. It is the life force energy that some believe surrounds all of us.
It is claimed that this energy permeates the entire body. In their opinion, while this energy cannot be measured by contemporary scientific means, it can be felt by those who tune in to it, as Reiki specialists have pointed out.
Reiki is said to promote relaxation, assist in the body’s natural healing processes, and promote emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
According to some, it can also produce profound relaxation, assist people in coping with obstacles, ease mental stress, and promote general well-being.
Reiki is described as “very calming” by those who have received it.
The following are some of the conditions that Reiki has been used to help treat:
- cancer
- heart disease
- anxiety
- depression
- chronic pain
- infertility
- neurodegenerative disorders
- autism
- Crohn’s disease
- fatigue syndromes
Patients who have had a Reiki session, according to the University of Minnesota, may say:
- “I feel very refreshed and seem to be thinking more clearly.”
- “I think I fell asleep.”
- “I can’t believe how hot your hands got!”
- “I feel more relaxed than even after a massage.”
- “My headache is gone.”
Patients with cancer who receive Reiki claim they feel better afterward. This could be due to the fact that it aids in their relaxation. Another explanation could be that the therapist spends time with them and touches them, according to Cancer Research UK. This has a soothing effect on patients who may be overwhelmed by invasive therapy, fear, and stress.
Different people had different experiences. Some people say the practitioner’s hands become heated, while others say they cool down, and some say they feel throbbing waves. The most frequently reported benefits are a release of stress and a deep sense of relaxation.
Becoming a Reiki practitioner
The Reiki training, or “attunement process,” requires no special training, education, or experience. The master is supposed to transfer attunement energy and healing techniques into the student throughout this process, which is described as a “powerful spiritual experience.”
Reiki classes cover a variety of topics, but most students learn about:
- the energies around the body
- how to work with healing energy
- the ethics of working with clients
Fasting for 2 to 3 days, meditation, focusing on nature, and releasing bad emotions are all part of the preparation process for attunement.
There are 3 stages of mastery. Some who attain “Master” level can instruct others and are reportedly able to heal from a distance, like a form of prayer.
Evidence
While Reiki is becoming increasingly popular, there are still some questions.
Reiki promotes relaxation, pain reduction, healing speed, and the alleviation of some symptoms, but there is little evidence to support any specific health advantages claimed by practitioners. It has been attacked for claiming to be able to heal ailments in the absence of scientific evidence. Some have referred to the organization’s assertions as fraudulent.
Critics claim that it flies in the face of our existing understanding of the laws of nature. As a response, advocates assert that the benefits of wellness and stress reduction are real, but difficult to quantify in a scientific study.
Scientists have noted that there has been a lack of high-quality studies investigating its effectiveness. According to them, no study has yet demonstrated that it is any more beneficial than a placebo.
According to the findings of a literature analysis published in 2008, there was insufficient evidence to support Reiki as an effective treatment for any ailment, and that its value remained unproven.
The Cochrane Collaboration published a review of studies on Reiki and its application in the treatment of anxiety and depression in 2015. The scientists came to the conclusion that there was “insufficient evidence to say whether or not Reiki is beneficial for people over the age of 16 who are suffering from anxiety, depression, or both.” Most of the few studies that had been conducted were of low quality, with tiny sample sizes, little peer review, and no control group, to name a few characteristics.
Meanwhile, study published in BMC Nephrology has revealed that allowing dialysis patients, for example, to benefit from the “healing touch” may be valuable, especially if it supplied for free by volunteers. Although the pain reduction is extremely minor, it is non-traumatic, causes no harm, and gives patients the impression that they are “doing something” to alleviate their pain themselves.
Annie Harrington, of the United Kingdom Reiki Federation, recently told MNT that the organization currently has a “huge dossier detailing various research experiments.” Maybe these findings, which are currently being investigated by the Federation and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) of the United Kingdom, will aid in the mainstreaming of Reiki in the future.
Regulatory issues: Time for a change?
Regulatory agencies occasionally request that Reiki websites update their information to ensure that it complies with legal requirements. It is possible that sites offering Reiki products will include a legal disclaimer, noting that the products are not a medical device and are not intended to be used in diagnosing, treatment, or prevention of disease.
According to the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), claims that Reiki can heal a variety of diseases have been rejected on a number of occasions in the United Kingdom.
In a research published in the journal Physics Procedia, Judy Kosovich urges for a “refreshed look” at the regulations governing energy medicine. Even while she acknowledges the existence of regulatory authorities to protect the public, she contends that science still does not fully understand or describe the workings of the human body.
Is Reiki dangerous in any way?
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) in the United States, Reiki has not been conclusively proven to be beneficial for any health-related reason. They do, however, point out that it does not appear to have any negative impacts.
The main source of concern appears to be that persons suffering from serious health problems may choose Reiki and other complementary therapies rather than conventional, scientifically proven therapy. Using it in conjunction with other treatments, on the other hand, is unlikely to be harmful.
Indeed, touch alone, whether with or without the presence of “universal energy,” appears to offer a variety of benefits, ranging from the development of trust to the improvement of overall well-being.
Kosovich points out that the pricey conventional medicines that are currently accessible are frequently associated with substantial side effects and are either ineffective or ineffective. As a result, many people would prefer the option of selecting an alternative.
Where to get Reiki?
Reiki is becoming increasingly popular. It appears to promote emotions of well-being while posing a low risk of physical harm to the user.
As a result, Reiki is currently available in a number of large medical facilities. As part of palliative care, some medical providers, such as hospices, may give it free of charge, with volunteers delivering it to patients.
A private Reiki session can range in price from $30 to $100, and it is not typically covered by insurance plans.
It is important for anyone looking for a competent, professional Reiki practitioner to do their research thoroughly, as the field of Reiki is one with minimal restrictions. It can be beneficial to inquire about the practitioner’s training and experience.
It should be noted that Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment, but rather an adjuvant therapy that can aid in healing and the enhancement of one’s sense of well-being.
It is always advisable to consult with a medical professional before pursuing any alternative therapies.
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