Reiki is a form of energy healing which has been used in Japan since 1800. The word reiki means “Universal Energy”. It comes from the Japanese words Rei(universal) and ki (life energy). It was developed in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui. It uses light touch to create a balance in the Energy field surrounding your body.
Most alternative therapies believe that there are energy fields around your body. In Reiki, it is called Aura. There is a flow of energy through your body, and if the flow is blocked, it can cause disease.
The practice of Reiki is based on Chakras. There are 8 “Chakras” in your body. If there is an imbalance in the flow of energy in any of these Chakras, it can cause illness of any kind, physical or mental. Negative thoughts can disrupt your Aura and diminish vital functions of your body. Reiki removes negative energy from your Aura and infuses positive energy into your body.
In Reiki, the Universal energy flows from the hands of the practitioner to your body, removing all blockages and ensuring clear passage of energy through all your Chakras.
Reiki nowadays is becoming popular because of its beneficial effects. People specially insist on getting care beyond clinical treatment. Hospitals and clinical institutions are rapidly adopting Reiki for post treatment healing and for minimizing recovery time.
Reiki is now one of the top three complementary in-patient therapies in U.S. hospitals, according to an AHA ( American Hospital Association) survey. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, not only offers Reiki healing to patients, but also offers to teach them and their caregivers.
A survey conducted by IARP (International Association of Reiki Professionals), found 60 percent of America’s best hospitals to be using Reiki programs and all of them believe that it is helpful. Their clients were found to be happy with it too.
According to a test done to evaluate the effect of reiki on anxiety, depression and pain by Gerontological Nursing, significant differences were observed on measures of pain, depression and anxiety. According to authors Libby Barnett and Maggie Babb: “Reiki facilitates the body’s creative ability to heal itself, dramatic healing shifts can occur when Reiki…is part of a medical treatment plan.” Reiki has recently gained popularity as a complementary therapy for patients suffering from stress, trauma, post surgery pain, and even cancer.
Evidence has been found that Reiki programs have shown positive results in relaxation of mind and body, alleviation of anxiety and stress, and increase in psycho-spiritual well being of the patient. Reiki Practitioners are now available online for Video-enabled sessions. Since it is an energy healing modality, it doesn’t require physical presence of the healer, it can be conducted online through a computer or smartphone.
Reiki is also gaining popularity among Cancer patients. It soothes patients mentally, physically and emotionally. Many patients who have undergone Reiki sessions while undergoing cancer treatment, have reported substantial improvement in coping with post-chemotherapy pain and reduction of mental stress and fear. Patients also reported that they experienced a boost in will power and felt relaxed.
Reiki can be beneficial for alleviating side effects of cancer too. It is widely being used in hospitals in the USA. Since it is a non-invasive treatment and does not include any oral medication, it can be administered along with mainstream treatment. It has no side effects as well, so more and more people are opting for Reiki as an alternative or complementary therapy.