What is Reiki and How Can It Benefit You?
Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing technique that uses the power of energy to promote stress reduction, relaxation, and an overall sense of balance and wellbeing. The word "Reiki" translates to "universal life force energy," and practitioners utilize specific hand positions to help channel this energy into a client's body and aura.
In today's busy world, more people are turning to holistic and alternative therapies like Reiki to complement modern medicine. Finding a Reiki master near you can help provide mental, emotional, and physical benefits with regular sessions.
The History and Origins of Reiki Healing
Reiki was developed in 1922 by Mikao Usui in Japan after years spent studying ancient Buddhist teachings. It started as a spiritual practice but soon turned into a way to promote healing as well.
The tradition was passed down to various Reiki Masters until Hawayo Takata brought the teachings to the Western world in the 1930s. It began gaining more mainstream popularity here in the 1990s as people sought more holistic ways to reduce stress and improve their quality of life.
How a Typical Reiki Session Works
Reiki sessions can be done in-person or remotely. They typically last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, with many people reporting feeling deeply relaxed yet energized afterward.
You remain fully clothed as you lie down on a massage table or sit comfortably in a chair. Your Reiki practitioner will gently place their hands either directly on or just above different parts of your body from head to toe. You may also be covered with a light blanket for warmth and comfort.
A session involves very little talking. Most people close their eyes and relax or even fall asleep as the energy flows where it needs to go to bring about balance and healing based on what your body and mind require in that moment.
The Benefits of Reiki Treatments
There are many potential benefits attributed to Reiki healing. Regular sessions can help individuals on their journey toward improved overall wellbeing, vitality, and better health.
Promotes Relaxation and Reduces Stress
One of the most common reasons people cite for trying Reiki is its unmatched ability to induce powerful relaxation. The gentle hand placements along with the movement of healing energy flowing throughout the body delivers almost instant calm.
This makes Reiki exceptionally effective for counteracting the negative effects of stress. With chronic and long-term stress linked to so many health issues like high blood pressure, digestive troubles, pain, and more, Reiki can be preventive medicine helping keep the mind and body balanced.
Eases Anxiety, PTSD, and Depression
Scientific research shows Reiki sessions may benefit those suffering from mental health issues like anxiety, PTSD, and depression. The deep state of relaxation combined with a release of "feel good" endorphins helps regulate mood, reduce nervousness, and boost an overall sense of optimism.
People struggling with addiction and emotional trauma may also find Reiki helps stabilize their lives as they navigate treatment and work on their long-term wellness goals.
Alleviates Pain and Discomfort
There have been numerous studies demonstrating Reiki's ability to successfully reduce all types of acute and chronic pain including:
- Back, neck, shoulder, and arthritis pain
- Sinus pressure, migraines, and headaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Pain from broken bones, surgery, illness, or injury
- General discomfort associated with cancer and its treatments
The influx of healing energy seems to activate the body's natural pain relief response while also reducing areas of inflammation and tension.
Promotes Better Sleep
Reiki has shown positive results helping those with insomnia and other sleep disorders improve their ability to fall asleep faster, stay asleep through the night, and wake feeling more rested. This is thanks to its ability to calm the nervous system, relax the muscles, quiet mental chatter, and shift brain wave activity into a theta state.
Boosts Immune Function
Some research indicates Reiki may give the immune system a healthy boost by increasing white blood cell production. This could make you less susceptible to colds, flu, infections, and generally speed up recovery time when you do get sick.
Improves Digestion
If you suffer from digestive complaints like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, bloating, nausea, or stomach pain, Reiki might help provide some relief. Sessions release blockages and tension while restoring balance both physically and energetically.
Increases Energy and Vitality
The infusion of universal energy into the body leaves many people reporting benefits like improved stamina, reduced fatigue, and an overall increase in vitality. This makes it helpful whether you need support coping with a chronic illness or desire to enhance athletic performance.
What to Expect During Your First Reiki Session
If you decide to book your first Reiki session, know that it involves very little preparation other than showing up with an open mind. However, going into the appointment with a basic understanding of what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and primed to relax.
The Initial Consultation
The first session generally starts with a quick consultation where you'll fill out an overview of your health history and discuss your goals, concerns, or reasons for trying Reiki. This allows the practitioner to target specific areas needing balance or healing during the treatment.
You also might talk about what you hope to achieve whether it's reduced back pain, less anxiety, help kicking a habit, or simply a moment to destress. There are no expectations other than an openness receiving to the energy.
Questions You May Be Asked
Your Reiki master might ask you some additional questions such as:
- Do you have any injuries, recent surgeries, or medical conditions?
- Are you currently on any medication?
- Are there spots on your body where you feel discomfort or have chronic pain?
- Have you ever received Reiki or other energy therapies before?
This establishes whether Reiki is appropriate for your situation while also letting the practitioner know areas to focus extra healing energy around.
Discussion of Hand Placements
Another common topic discussed is how and where hands will be placed on the body. Most masters explain their protocol, especially if working in intimate areas. Consent, comfort, and maintaining feelings of safety always take priority.
You may also request no hands-on touch if that makes you uneasy. Your practitioner can still direct energy around you from a slight distance away and achieve powerful results.
Getting Yourself Comfortable
Once the consultation finishes, you'll get yourself settled on the massage table while your Reiki master prepares or moves to your side. Most people close their eyes, relax every muscle, and focus on steady breathing as the treatment begins.
Various hand position sequences will progress up from your head downward or vice versa. The back and front of your torso will also receive attention where healing energy tends to easily stagnate or get blocked.
You might feel subtle pulsing, warmth, coolness, or tingling. Sometimes emotions get released. But mainly, people report drifting into a serene, meditative state. The time often seems to pass quickly even while dozing off.
Grounding and Closure
Once complete, your practitioner will likely end with a brief grounding method or closing ritual before allowing you to slowly sit up and transition off the table. Many people feel blissful and renewed post-treatment, ready to continue their day with more clarity and balance.
Be sure to note any insights, visions, areas of relief, or other takeaways from your session to discuss with your Reiki master later.
Finding a Reiki Practitioner in Your Area
You can now locate qualified Reiki masters near your location more easily than ever thanks to the internet. However, doing some due diligence by asking the right questions helps ensure you choose someone reputable and best suited to meet your needs.
Where to Start Your Search
Begin your online search for practitioners in your city or zip code via:
- Reiki membership directories like the International Association of Reiki Professionals or Reiki Membership Association
- Marketplace websites like Yelp, Thumbtack, Healthgrades
- Local holistic wellness centers
- Asking friends for referrals
You can also search by additional filters like "Reiki near me for anxiety" or "Reiki for pain relief near me” to find those specializing in specific health goals.
Qualifications to Look For
Any reputable Reiki master will display clear proof of their training, certification level, years in practice, and membership in professional associations. This validates their competency, ethical standards, and dedication to the craft.
Some key credentials to look for include:
- Extent of Reiki training and lineage
- Professional membership affiliations
- Reviews and client testimonials
- Additional certifications or credentials
- Specialties matching your needs
Questions to Ask a Potential Practitioner
Schedule a quick phone or video call with prospective practitioners. This gives you a chance to interview them and determine if they’re the right fit. Questions to ask include:
- How long have you practiced Reiki and did you receive formal training?
- Are you licensed with any professional Reiki organizations?
- What issues do you most commonly treat?
- What is your session experience like for new clients?
- Do you provide remote or distant Reiki options?
Listen to your intuition and pay attention to whether you feel comfortable with the practitioner's approach, fees, and availability to develop an ongoing wellness plan if desired.
Give Reiki a Try Near You!
Reiki is an amazing healing system that more people recognize for its countless holistic health and stress relief benefits. Finding a knowledgeable Reiki master in your local area can help you tap into its relaxing and restorative powers.
Do some research to connect with qualified practitioners offering sessions tailored to your needs. Then simply book an appointment and show up ready to destress and feel renewed!
FAQs
What is Reiki exactly?
Reiki is an ancient Japanese energy healing technique that involves light touch or hands hovering just above the body. It utilizes universal life force energy to promote stress reduction, relaxation, and support the natural ability to heal.
Who can benefit from Reiki?
Reiki is generally safe and gentle enough for anyone to try. Those experiencing high stress, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, trouble sleeping, low energy, or other health issues often find great benefit from regular sessions.
What happens during a Reiki session?
You remain fully clothed lying down with a Reiki master placing their hands on or over various parts of your body from head to toe. Most people feel deeply relaxed during their session and a sense of peace, balance, and wellbeing afterward.
How is Reiki different from massage?
Unlike massage, Reiki does not involve any tissue manipulation. Instead, it harnesses energy transference to heal. Many people find receiving Reiki enhances the effects of other touch therapies since it works on an emotional and spiritual level.
Does insurance cover Reiki treatments?
In most cases, insurance does not cover alternative practices like Reiki yet. However, more hospital integrative medicine programs are making sessions available for patients. Checking with your provider to utilize an FSA or HSA account funds toward sessions is another option.