Literally meaning "universal life energy" in Japanese, Reiki is a method of healing and pain reduction that dates back thousands of years. The theory behind this type of alternative therapy is that there is a strong force of energy that surrounds the body. Reiki practitioners hold their hands near or on the patient's body, and manipulate the flow of energy to allow the suffering body to heal itself.
The concept of pain in Reiki teachings is a little different than the black-and-white diagnoses found in Western medicine. The practice focuses on chakras, the seven main energy points in the body located from the head to below the abdomen. When a person is physically or spiritually unhealthy, their chakras are believed to be blocked-meaning that the flow of energy is significantly decreased.
Reiki has been used to treat physical ailments such as chronic pain, arthritis, insomnia, muscle pains, anxiety, headaches, and to help the body's natural ability to self-heal. A typical Reiki session will last about an hour. The recipient is usually lying down on a massage table, wearing loose and comfortable clothing. During the actual treatment, the practitioner will put her hands on or around the body at certain chakral points. Patients report a warm or tingling sensation in the area being treated, as well as feeling of deep relaxation.
Although no studies have been done to prove that Reiki can treat disease or pain, some cancer patients have reported feeling fewer negative side-effects from chemotherapy following Reiki sessions. Others attest a dramatic reduction in pain and anxiety. Reiki enthusiasts say that they usually experience a feeling of general well-being and an increased vitality.
Talk to your doctor if you're thinking about supplementing any treatments with alternative medicine. If body-work, like massage or other physical therapies, is appealing to you, then Reiki might be worth a try!
