Reiki is an energy healing modality that works with the client's own innate healing ability to restore the natural flow of energy at the level of the body, mind and spirit. Energetic blockages can manifest due to illness or trauma and Reiki is a gentle way to help reduce or remove those blockages as well as relieve the pain that may be associated.
What happens during a treatment?
• The client lies fully clothed on a table or sits in a chair
• Dim lighting and soft music create a healing atmosphere
• Aromatherapy or crystals may be used to amplify the healing energy
• Hands are placed above or in contact with particular points on the body and/or a particular chakra for healing.
What does the scientific community say about Reiki?
In a review of clinical studies of the effects of Reiki, Dr. David McManus determined that Reiki “is a safe, gentle, and profoundly relaxing healing modality that can be practiced by anyone who has received an ‘attunement’ from a Reiki master. This review has found reasonably strong evidence for Reiki being more effective than placebo, suggesting that Reiki attunement leads to a quantifiable increase in healing ability. Reiki is better than placebo in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, as measured by reduced heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and increased heart rate variability. For patients with chronic health conditions, Reiki has been found to be more effective than placebo for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression, and for improving self-esteem and quality of life. According to the neurovisceral integration model and the polyvagal theory, these effects are due to higher parasympathetic nervous system activity, mediated via the vagus nerve. This understanding suggests that Reiki has the potential to provide valuable support for a broad range of chronic health conditions. However, there is no justification to regard Reiki as a cure for any health condition. Instead, Reiki should be regarded as a complementary therapy that can be implemented alongside all other medical and therapeutic techniques. Further research is recommended to help optimize the application of Reiki for specific health conditions and to examine the benefits arising from provision of multiple Reiki sessions over an extended period of time.