Reiki Therapy: Procedure, Benefits, and Side-effects

2021-12-21 17:39:08

Reiki therapy, also known as Energy healing, is a form of healing therapy developed by Dr. Mikao Usui in 1922. It is a Japanese method of managing stress. Reiki uses hands to restore life energy to the body. It works both physically and mentally. It is one of the most ancient practices used for healing.

Reiki is a Japanese word where “Re” means “spiritual” and “key” means “urgent”. These two constituted together means “Universal Life Force Energy,” that is the life-giving energy. It is present in everyone.

Origin of Reiki Therapy

According to popular belief Reiki is developed in Japan. It is believed that India had the knowledge of touch therapy. The evidence of this can be found in Atharvaveda.

The learning existed in oral form through the Guru-Shishya tradition. Some description of the same can be found in the book ‘Kamal Sutra’ of Lord Buddha. From here it reached Japan via Tibet and China with monks.

Principles of Reiki Therapy

The five Reiki principles are meant to promote healing the energy centres of the body. It can result in several benefits when practiced regularly. These principles may help in creating more balance and flow in your life. It also boosts your sense of well-being.

Five principles of Reiki therapy are-

• Just for today, don’t be angry
• Do not worry just for today
• Be grateful for what you have
• Work hard
• Be kind to others

Procedure of Reiki

• Reiki therapy preferably needs a peaceful setting. However, it can be done anywhere. The patient will rest on a chair or lie comfortably on a table with clothes. There may be some music in the background. This is however completely dependent on the preference of the patient.
• The practitioner or the Reiki Master places their hands lightly on or over certain areas of the body such as head, limbs, and torso. The hand shapes are different on each body part. This is done for about 2 to 5 minutes for each area. The hands can be placed over twenty different areas of the body.
• In case of an injury or a burn, the hands may be held just above the injury.
• The energy transfer from the practitioner to the patient takes place when the practitioner holds their hands lightly on or over the body. Meanwhile, the practitioner’s hands may be tingling and warm. The practitioner holds the hand position until the practitioner senses that the energy flow has stopped.
• The practitioner removes the hands and then place them over a different area of the body when the practitioner feels that the heat, or energy, in their hands has abated.

Benefits of the therapy

It cures several illnesses

Reiki can relieve blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, paralysis, acidity, ulcers, asthma, and cancer. It is also helpful in hemorrhoids, eye diseases, insomnia, obesity, kidney diseases, gynecology, sterility, potency, and insanity.

Promotes Overall Health

Reiki experts insist on eliminating negative energy and turning it into positive energy. This helps to change a person’s perspective towards life and suffering. This results in improved quality of life.

Treats depression

Reiki promotes self-care and provides relaxation to the nerves which reduces anxiety and increases curiosity. This further results in treating depression.

Reduces mental fatigue and pain

Reiki induces deep relaxation by balancing energy fields that help people cope with difficulties. It is also helpful in relieving emotional stress.

Reiki therapy has a number of other benefits. These are-

• Works on one’s spirit and cleanses the body, mind, and soul.
• It does substantial work towards the purification of one’s karma.
• Allows mental peace that helps in improving the everyday life of the practitioner.
• It also works on all the chakras of the body and helps in stabilizing all the emotions.
• This is very beneficial for good sleep.
• It also boosts body energy and self-power.
• It reduces the side effects of certain medications.

Side-effects

• Reiki is safe and non-invasive. It doesn’t have any harmful side- effects.
• However, some might feel uncomfortable lying quietly in a room with dim lights. People with past trauma or claustrophobia might not be at ease during the therapy.
• Reiki is an additional therapy. Use it with any treatment plan. However, do not use it to replace any treatment plan approved by a doctor.