Reiki

The word “Reiki” means “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign.” It comes from the Japanese words “rei” meaning universal and “ki” meaning life energy. Reiki is a type of energy healing. Energy healing has been around for centuries in various forms and targets the energy fields around the body. It was discovered in Tibet around three thousand years ago and rediscovered in Japan in the late 1800’s by Dr. Usui Ryoho. It was eventually brought to the United States by Helen Takata.

According to Reiki practitioners, energy can stop flowing in the body if there has been a physical injury or even possibly emotional pain. Over time it is believed that these energy blocks can lead to physical illness and possibly mental illness including depression and anxiety.

Reiki is similar to other energy-based medicine like acupuncture and acupressure which also work to improve the flow of energy and remove blocks. By improving the flow of energy around the body, practitioners can help a client feel relaxed, reduce pain, speed up healing, and reduce other symptoms of illness.

Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing touch technique. It is used to promote health, wellness, and transition. The Usui System of Reiki uses the Universal Life Force Energy to balance energies within our bodies to heal where Reiki practitioners act as a channel through which Reiki energy travels. The aim of Reiki energy healing is a balanced physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual being. As in any energy type of treatment there is controversy because it is hard to prove its effectiveness through scientific methods. However, many people who receive energy work like Reiki claim it works for them and in fact, its popularity is rising.

An interesting fact: a Google search for the term “Reiki” currently returns no less than 68,900,000 results. A 2007 survey shows that, in the United States (U.S.), 1.2 million adults have tried Reiki or a similar therapy at least once in the previous year. Currently, over sixty US based hospitals are offering Reiki services to patients.

Reiki Therapy and Psychotherapy

Psychotherapeutic Reiki is a holistic mind-body approach to therapy. Reiki in conjunction with psychotherapy can offer many healing benefits. Reiki along with talk therapy can help reduce anxiety and depression, balance the mind and emotions, improve mood, and strengthen relationships. Psychotherapeutic Reiki can be used to heal the body, mind, and the spirit.

With Stacey Inal, reiki is used as a complementary therapy in psychotherapy or a standalone treatment to help improve various physical and mental health conditions. The most common benefits of Reiki holistic treatment within a session include:

• Stress reduction

• Increased relaxation

• Enhanced mood

• Reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms

• Spiritual growth

• Emotional clarity

• Inner peace and harmony

• Enhanced sense of calmness and composure

• Stronger personal relationships

Other benefits include:

· Stronger personal relationships

· Chronic fatigue

· Insomnia

· Asthma,

· Menopausal issues

· Issues related to fertility

What does a Reiki treatment look like?

Clients who request reiki treatments often like to use it to work on emotional issues. It is very gentle and relaxing. The process generally takes one hour. I always ask a client what the goal of their session is. We talk for a few minutes so that I can have an understanding of what is going on in their life. My client is then invited to lay on a table or sit in a chair fully clothed. Shoes are generally removed. Reiki is noninvasive touch along the main chakras.

Generally, there is little physical contact at the onset and touch work proceeds only with the client’s permission. If a client does not want to be touched directly this is not a problem. My hands can remain several inches away from the body while working on the chakras – the work can still be achieved. It is very important to me that my clients feel safe and secure. I test and balance the chakras. Sometimes we talk during the treatment and sometimes it is quiet. This all depends on you and your needs. Sometimes I incorporate breathing or guided imagery to help relaxation to assist with the incorporation of the work.

At the end of a Reiki treatment, I utilize a grounding technique and then we have a closing session to briefly discuss how it went. This allows the client to process what the treatment was like for them and helps further with grounding.

The effects of Reiki are cumulative and can attract significant improvement in your life. It has been proven that regular Reiki treatments can improve health and support well-being in every way. Mental health can improve through Reiki treatments when used together with talk therapy or even on its own.