Reiki: Ancient Japanese Energy Healing for Modern Wellness. How It Combines With Chiropractic Care
In our increasingly stressful modern world, many people are seeking gentle, non-invasive approaches to support their health and well-being. Reiki, a traditional Japanese energy healing practice, has gained remarkable acceptance in mainstream healthcare settings, with hospitals and wellness centers worldwide now offering this complementary therapy alongside conventional treatments.
This ancient practice, rooted in the concept of universal life force energy, offers a unique approach to healing that focuses on promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. Whether you’re curious about energy medicine or considering reiki in Des Moines as part of your wellness routine, understanding this practice can help you make informed decisions about your health journey.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 1900s through the work of Mikao Usui, a Buddhist lay monk who developed what became known as the Usui system of natural healing. The word reiki comes from two Japanese words: “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” referring to life force energy that flows through all living things. This concept parallels similar energy systems found in other traditional healing practices, such as qi in Chinese medicine and prana in Indian Ayurveda.
At its core, reiki is based on the belief that universal life force energy flows through every living being, and that disruptions or blockages in this energy flow can contribute to physical, emotional, or spiritual imbalances. Reiki practitioners serve as conduits for this universal energy, channeling it through their hands to support the recipient’s natural healing processes.
Unlike many other healing modalities, reiki does not involve physical manipulation, massage, or invasive techniques. Instead, reiki professionals use gentle touch or hold their hands slightly above the person’s body to facilitate energy flow. This makes reiki therapy particularly suitable for individuals who may be sensitive to touch or recovering from surgery or injury.
The practice has evolved significantly since Usui’s time, spreading from Japan to Hawaii through the work of Hawayo Takata in 1937, and subsequently throughout the United States and Europe. Today, reiki is recognized as a complementary therapy that can support conventional medical treatment, rather than replace it.
How Reiki Works
The fundamental principle underlying reiki is that universal life force energy flows through all living beings, and that this energy flow can be directed and enhanced through focused intention and training. During a reiki treatment, the practitioner acts as a channel for this universal energy, allowing it to flow through their hands to the recipient.
Reiki practitioners use a series of 15 traditional hand positions during treatment sessions, typically starting at the head and working systematically down the body. The practitioner places their hands gently on or slightly above different areas, allowing the energy to flow naturally to where healing is most needed. This process is believed to help remove energy blocks and restore balance to the person’s body and energy system.
The energy flow in reiki is thought to be intelligent, meaning it automatically goes to areas where healing support is needed most, rather than being directed consciously by the practitioner. This concept distinguishes reiki from some other energy healing modalities where the practitioner actively directs energy to specific areas.
Many cultures throughout history have recognized similar concepts of life force energy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this energy is called qi and flows through specific pathways called meridians. In Indian philosophy and Ayurvedic medicine, this energy is known as prana and is associated with breath and life force. While the terminology and specific practices vary, the underlying belief in a vital energy that supports health and well-being is remarkably consistent across different healing traditions.
The reiki practitioner puts their hands in each position for approximately 3-5 minutes, allowing time for the energy to flow and for the recipient to experience any sensations or benefits. The entire process is gentle and non-invasive, making it suitable for people of all ages and health conditions.
What to Expect During a Reiki Session
A typical reiki session lasts between 60 to 90 minutes and takes place in a calm, peaceful environment designed to promote relaxation and healing. The setting might be a dedicated treatment room in a wellness center, a medical office, or even a practitioner’s home office, but the focus is always on creating a serene atmosphere conducive to healing.
Before your first visit, your reiki practitioner will typically discuss your medical history, current health concerns, and goals for the treatment. This conversation helps the practitioner understand your needs and ensures that reiki therapy is appropriate for your situation. The practitioner will also explain what to expect during the session and address any questions or concerns you might have.
During the actual treatment, you remain fully clothed and lie comfortably on a massage table, similar to what you might find in a physical therapy or chiropractic care setting. The room is usually dimmed with soft music playing to enhance relaxation. Some practitioners may use aromatherapy or other elements to create a more peaceful environment.
The reiki practitioner will then begin moving their hands through the traditional hand positions, either placing them gently on your body or holding them a few inches above. You might feel various sensations during the treatment, including:
Warmth or coolness where the practitioner’s hands are positioned
Gentle tingling or pulsing sensations
Deep relaxation and a sense of peace
Subtle energy shifts or movement
Some people fall asleep during treatment
It’s important to note that each reiki session is unique. While some people experience profound relaxation and noticeable sensations, others may feel very little during the treatment but notice benefits in the hours or days following the session. There’s no “right” way to experience reiki, and the absence of dramatic sensations doesn’t mean the treatment isn’t working.
Session Environment and Preparation
The environment for reiki treatments varies depending on where you receive the service. In medical settings, sessions might take place in standard examination rooms, while dedicated wellness centers often have specially designed treatment rooms with calming décor and comfortable furnishings.
Before beginning the treatment, your practitioner will discuss any physical limitations you might have and ask about your preferences for hand placement. If you have areas of injury or sensitivity, the practitioner can adjust their approach accordingly, using a no-touch method or avoiding certain areas entirely.
Unlike massage or other physical therapies, reiki requires no special preparation on your part. You don’t need to undress, and there’s no joint manipulation or physical pressure involved. The gentle touch used in reiki is quite different from therapeutic touch or other hands-on healing modalities.
Reiki Training and Certification Levels
The traditional Usui system of reiki training is structured in four distinct levels, each building upon the previous one and requiring specific attunements from a qualified reiki master. This systematic approach ensures that practitioners develop their skills gradually and maintain the integrity of the practice as it was originally taught.
Level 1 (First Degree): This introductory level focuses on self-healing and treating family and friends. Students learn the history of reiki, basic hand positions, and receive their first attunement to open their energy channels. Level 1 practitioners typically practice on themselves and close contacts to develop their sensitivity to energy flow.
Level 2 (Second Degree): At this level, students learn to send reiki energy across distance and time, and are introduced to the first reiki symbols and mantras. This level qualifies practitioners to begin offering professional reiki sessions to clients. Many reiki professionals consider Level 2 the minimum qualification for practicing professionally.
Advanced Level (Third Degree): This advanced training deepens the practitioner’s understanding of reiki energy and often includes additional symbols and techniques. Some lineages combine this with Master level training, while others maintain it as a separate degree.
Reiki Master (Fourth Degree): Reiki masters are qualified to teach reiki and perform attunements for new students. This level requires significant commitment and usually involves extensive practice and study beyond the basic techniques.
While there’s no national licensing requirement for reiki practitioners in most countries, many professional reiki practitioners choose to register with organizations like the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council or join professional associations that maintain ethical standards and continuing education requirements.
The International Center for Reiki Training and similar organizations provide certification programs and maintain registries of trained practitioners. These registered practitioners typically commit to ongoing education and adherence to professional codes of ethics, which can help clients identify qualified reiki professionals.
Potential Health Benefits and Research
The primary documented effects of reiki center around stress reduction and deep relaxation, which can have far-reaching impacts on overall health and well-being. While the scientific evidence for reiki’s specific mechanisms remains limited, several studies have examined its potential benefits in clinical settings.
A 2014 systematic review examined reiki’s effects on anxiety and found that breast biopsy patients who received reiki treatments showed significant reductions in anxiety levels compared to those who received standard care alone. This research suggests that reiki therapy may be particularly valuable in medical settings where patients experience high levels of stress and anxiety.
Pain management represents another area where reiki has shown promise. Several small studies have indicated that reiki treatments may help reduce pain levels following surgical procedures, though more research with larger study groups is needed to establish definitive conclusions. The pain relief appears to be related to the deep relaxation response that many people experience during and after reiki sessions.
Research has also explored reiki’s potential to improve quality of life for people dealing with serious illness. Cancer patients receiving reiki as part of their palliative care have reported improvements in their overall sense of well-being, though it’s important to emphasize that reiki cannot prevent, treat, or cure cancer or other serious diseases.
The mechanisms behind these benefits likely relate to reiki’s ability to activate the body’s relaxation response, which can positively impact the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and support the body’s natural healing processes. This relaxation response is well-documented in medical literature and forms the basis for many stress-reduction interventions.
Reiki for Cancer Support
Many cancer centers and hospices now incorporate reiki into their supportive care programs, recognizing its value for symptom management and emotional support. The practice is particularly valued in these settings because it’s gentle, non-invasive, and can be easily adapted for patients who may be weak or experiencing treatment side effects.
A 2021 study demonstrated that reiki sessions provided significant stress reduction for cancer caregivers, highlighting the practice’s potential benefits not just for patients but for their support networks as well. This research underscores reiki’s role as a supportive therapy that can enhance overall quality of life during challenging health journeys.
Healthcare providers increasingly recognize that reiki can be safely integrated into comprehensive cancer care plans without interfering with conventional treatments. However, it’s crucial to understand that reiki serves as a complementary therapy only and should never be considered a substitute for evidence-based medical treatment.
Finding Qualified Reiki Practitioners
When seeking reiki treatments, finding a qualified and experienced practitioner is essential for ensuring both safety and effectiveness. Several organizations maintain registries of trained reiki professionals who have met specific training requirements and adhere to professional standards.
In the UK, practitioners can register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), which maintains standards for complementary therapy practitioners. Professional associations like the UK Reiki Federation and The Reiki Council also provide directories of qualified members who have completed recognized training programs.
The International Association of Reiki Professionals maintains a global registry of practitioners who have demonstrated competency in reiki techniques and committed to ongoing professional development. These registered practitioners typically have completed at least Level 2 training and maintain liability insurance.
When selecting a reiki practitioner, consider asking about:
Their training background and certification level
How long they’ve been practicing professionally
Whether they’re registered with professional organizations
Their experience with your specific health concerns
Their approach to integrating reiki with conventional medical care
Reiki session costs typically range from $25 to $100, depending on your location and the practitioner’s experience level. Some communities offer donation-based reiki sessions or sliding scale fees to make treatments more accessible. Additionally, some healthcare facilities now offer reiki as part of their integrative medicine programs, which may be covered by insurance in certain cases.
Reiki as Complementary Therapy
One of reiki’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to complement conventional medical treatments without interfering with their effectiveness. This compatibility has led to increasing integration of reiki into mainstream healthcare settings, where it’s valued for its safety profile and potential to enhance patient comfort and well-being.
Many hospitals now offer reiki alongside conventional treatments, particularly in areas like oncology, cardiac care, and surgical recovery. Healthcare providers appreciate that reiki can be provided safely to patients regardless of their medical condition, and that it may help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and support the healing process.
Combining reiki with other therapeutic modalities often enhances overall treatment outcomes. For example, patients receiving both reiki and physical therapy may experience greater relaxation and reduced pain, potentially improving their engagement with rehabilitation exercises. Similarly, reiki therapy can complement Hyperbaric oxygen therapy by helping patients achieve deeper relaxation, which may enhance the effectiveness of deeper healing.
When considering reiki as part of your treatment plan, it’s important to inform all your healthcare providers about any complementary therapies you’re receiving. This transparency ensures coordinated care and helps your medical team understand the full scope of your healing approach.
Most reiki professionals recommend a series of 3-5 treatments spaced 1-2 weeks apart for optimal results, though the specific treatment plan may vary based on your individual needs and goals. Some people find that regular monthly sessions help maintain their sense of well-being, while others prefer to use reiki during particularly stressful periods or health challenges.
The time frame for experiencing benefits varies among individuals. Some people notice improvements in stress levels and sleep quality after their first session, while others may require several treatments before observing significant changes. It’s helpful to drink plenty of water after reiki sessions and allow time for rest and integration.
Safety Considerations and Limitations
Reiki is generally considered one of the safest complementary therapies available, with no known side effects when provided by trained practitioners. The gentle, non-invasive nature of reiki makes it suitable for people of all ages and health conditions, including those who may be too fragile for other types of bodywork.
However, it’s crucial to maintain realistic expectations about what reiki can and cannot accomplish. While many people experience significant benefits from reiki treatments, these effects are typically temporary and supportive rather than curative. Reiki should never be used as a replacement for conventional medical treatment, especially for serious health conditions.
The belief system surrounding reiki, while meaningful to many practitioners and clients, is not supported by scientific evidence for the existence of “universal life force energy” or its measurable effects on health. The benefits people experience are more likely related to the relaxation response, the therapeutic relationship with the practitioner, and the peaceful environment of treatment sessions.
One potential risk of reiki, as with any alternative therapy, is that individuals might delay or avoid necessary medical care if they believe reiki alone can address serious health issues. It’s essential to work with healthcare providers who support an integrative approach and can help you balance complementary therapies with appropriate medical treatment.
Some people may experience what practitioners call “healing reactions” after reiki sessions, such as temporary fatigue, emotional release, or mild physical symptoms. These responses are generally considered normal and typically resolve within 24-48 hours. However, if you experience persistent or concerning symptoms after reiki treatments, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider.
The quality and training of reiki practitioners can vary significantly, as there are no standardized licensing requirements in most jurisdictions. This makes it particularly important to research practitioners carefully and choose those with appropriate training and professional registration. Both reiki and other energy healing modalities benefit from practitioners who maintain professional boundaries, continue their education, and work ethically with clients.
While reiki can be a valuable addition to your wellness routine, it’s most effective when combined with other healthy lifestyle practices such as regular exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep, and appropriate medical care. The holistic approach that includes reiki as one component of overall health maintenance tends to provide the most sustainable benefits for both physical and emotional well-being.
Understanding these safety considerations and limitations allows you to approach reiki with appropriate expectations and make informed decisions about incorporating this ancient practice into your modern wellness journey. When used appropriately as a complementary therapy, reiki can provide valuable support for stress reduction, relaxation, and overall quality of life enhancement.