Touch Therapy “Reiki”

Reiki (RAY-kee) is a massage or touch therapy. It was developed by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui as an alternative medicine or alternative form of therapy. Reiki is made up of two Japanese words: rei, which means universal spirit, and ki (or qi), which means life force energy.

How does Reiki work?

It was first introduced in Japan in 1922 and since then many countries and cultures have adapted it as a form of healing. Thus, there are many forms of Reiki. The two most common are: Japanese (traditional) reiki and Western reiki.

Like all reiki practitioners across the world, practitioners in the Philippines use a technique called palm-healing or hands-on healing. The terms, although high-sounding, are not different or maybe at least related to what we traditionally know as “Hilot.” The “healing energy” or “universal energy” is allegedly transferred through the palm of a practitioner and healing is attained when the energy is transferred to the patient via the hands of the practitioner through touch or touching. The process that is considered a non-invasive healing system works with the “Higher Self” of the receiver to promote health and wellbeing.

The process

The session is typically between 30 and 90 minutes. The fully clothed recipient is seated or lying down. The practitioner's hands are placed either on or a few inches above the recipient's body. There are between 12 and 20 different reiki hand positions. Each position is held until the practitioner feels that the flow of energy has slowed or stopped, usually between two to five minutes. Recipients sometimes describe a deep sense of relaxation after a session, accompanied by a feeling of wellbeing. Some recipients report a sensation of warmth, tingling, and sleepiness. Many feel refreshed after a session (Mayo Clinic Health Letter).

To what conditions is Reiki most effective?

Reiki is found to be most effective in stress reduction and relaxation. It is also claimed to promote the following: Promotes and aids better sleep; reduces blood pressure; helps in the healing and treatment of acute injuries, body pains, headaches, and arthritis; it is claimed to treat eczema and allergy (including asthma); it treats addiction (including drugs and alcohol); it helps in the draining and cleaning of body toxins; it improves vitality, and delays the aging process; and it helps the immune system.

My take on Reiki

Reiki is just a complementary and alternative medical treatment. Clinical research has not shown Reiki to be effective as a medical treatment for any medical condition. The American Cancer Society, Cancer Research, U.K., and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health state that Reiki should not be a replacement for conventional treatment.