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When it comes to rising global mental health struggles that impact people from all walks of life, the best treatments aren’t always found within the Western medicine.
This is especially true with healthcare policies around the world often being flawed by medicalization, sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia and other inequities that impact some communities more than others.
There are certain cultural healing practices that can be more effective, less invasive, and far more affordable than traditional pharmaceutical medicine.
One of those practices includes the Japanese healing technique called Reiki. Whether it’s used as a supplement or sole healing method, Reiki can make a vital difference in our overall health.
What is Reiki?
Reiki combines the Japanese words “rei,” which means “universal,” and “ki,” which refers to “a flow of life force energy.” Together, the name of the practice is about promoting energy and balance to reduce stress and increase healing.
Although this practice may seem new to some, it actually goes back to the early 1900s in Japan. Dr. Mikao Usui, who studied several forms of healing, medicine, psychology and theology as well as martial arts, invented Reiki. The practice has since become globally mainstream around the world. People from all different countries and walks of life practice Reiki, with many asserting that it has helped them heal.
It’s classified as an energy therapy, which simply means that it’s an alternative to Western forms of therapy and focuses on energy flowing within the human body. It’s typically used as supplementary care along with other treatments for people with cancer, mood disorders, autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression and autoimmune disorders.
What Happens During a Reiki Sesson?
Reiki may seem extremely complex but it is often easy to follow when led by a trained practitioner or healer that has studied the practice.
A typical session lasts about an hour and involves the practitioner or healer placing their hands on or near the patient’s body for about 3 to 10 minutes per hand placement. When they move their hands, it can mean that the energy flow has come to a stop in a particular body part.
This may sound odd, but it’s important to remember that Reiki is a spiritual practice, so in many cases, it’s about letting go of preconceived notions of medicine and health. Letting go of the idea that medicine and spirituality are two separate things is key for this form of healing to work.
The practitioner will often give the patient the chance to feel a combination of sensations that vary in temperature and pressure. At this time, the patient should be relaxing, maybe even slightly drifting into a sleep. However, there’s no cause for alarm if nothing particular is felt at all. Everyone is different.
The healer doesn’t usually speak during a session and sometimes Reiki music is played, this is often vibrational sound therapy that can include intentions and affirmations or just soothing sounds.
Some healers also use a Reiki incense to increase the state of relaxation for the patient. This creates what some consider a cleansing effect that bolsters the healing process both mentally and physically. Plus, the calming aroma can make the experience more immersive.
An important thing to note is that Reiki isn’t proven or disproven to have health benefits by Western scientists. For them, it’s a neutral complementary practice to typically coincide with other medicines or practices.
Reiki Offers Options Beyond Western Medicine
Similar to other complementary energy therapies like acupuncture and acupressure, Reiki is meant to offer people something beyond (or in addition to) very powerful Western drugs that can cause various discomforts and side effects.
If someone is comfortable with getting a massage or physical therapy, Reiki is probably something they would be inclined to try. It involves a similar amount of physical touch from a trained professional that knows what they’re doing.
Venturing into the unknown can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Experts haven’t found any risks that come from Reiki.
With that said, please consult a trusted medical expert before trying any new healing practice.
