Reiki is a Japanese healing practice that's said to promote balance and remove blocked, built-up energy from the body. It's a non-invasive treatment in which the practitioner uses light touch to move energy throughout the client's or one's own body.
Reiki can be part of a daily practice to help people feel balanced spiritually and physically, or it can be used as a healing treatment when stress, exhaustion, or poor health is an issue.
For those feeling an imbalance mentally, spiritually, or physically, Reiki has the potential to help restore harmony between each of these three parts. Practitioners and believers in Reiki understand that spiritual, mental, and physical energy operating harmoniously help to improve a person's overall health and wellness and ensure the body and mind can perform optimally.
Reiki is commonly used as a complementary therapy in rehab facilities, helping those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction to alleviate stress and anxiety, aid in pain management, and promote a stronger sense of spiritual wellbeing.
When used in conjunction with other treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling, Reiki may help make the recovery process easier.
Reiki practitioners believe that blocked energy reveals itself through negative thoughts or feelings of low self-esteem. Through regular Reiki practice, these blocks of energy are eliminated, and the subject learns to pay closer attention to their body and mind to better recognize when energy begins to build up so they can deal with stress and negative emotions before they become debilitating.
Reiki has long been thought to improve immunity, particularly among people with chronic illnesses. As of December 2022, researchers are undertaking studies to determine whether Reiki could improve the quality of life and immunity of those living with certain cancers.
The ancient practice has also been used to strengthen immunity in people with less severe illnesses, including influenza and coronaviruses.
A Reiki session is designed to help heal emotional wounds and ease or prevent future issues with anxiety. Sessions often result in a heightened level of clarity and improved overall focus that helps people who practice it let go of these problems.
For many, that means better performance at work or school, as well as a better handle on life in general.
The relaxing nature of Reiki makes it an excellent tool for sleep. It's touted among proponents and practitioners as a method for improving sleep quality and duration, as well as for reducing the amount of time it takes to fall asleep at night.
While studies on this are limited, one study that analyzed the effect of Reiki on the sleep of hospital professionals concluded that regular practice did, in fact, improve sleep quality.
Individuals with cancer, arthritis, asthma, migraines, sciatica, and other chronic illnesses that cause pain may benefit from practicing Reiki on a regular basis.
Although Reiki may not alleviate pain directly, it's thought to strengthen the practitioner's mental focus, helping them change their perception of pain and reduce the negative effect this symptom has on their quality of life.
Inflammation occurs in the tissues, typically after injury or infection. While it's a normal response, it may lead to pain and other symptoms, such as joint pain, poor immunity, and stress when it lasts for an extended period of time.
Reiki practitioners believe that a session can help to reduce inflammation and its resulting symptoms.
One of the most touted benefits of Reiki is its ability to drive personal development and enhance overall spirituality. Through Reiki, individuals are able to better connect with themselves on a deeper level.
Reiki combined with breath work such as the Nishino Breathing Method is common in Japan for connecting with one's Ki energy and encouraging a strong connection to the soul.
Reiki is known to promote a stronger sense of self-esteem and self-awareness, two important factors in building strong personal relationships.
Because it's also designed to help people deal with negative emotions and emotional wounds, it may encourage those who practice it to open up more to others and become stronger and more supportive in their personal relationships.
This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.