Information on Reiki from CAM:
Introduction
Reiki is a healing practice that originated in Japan. Reiki practitioners place
their hands lightly on or just above the person receiving treatment, with the goal of facilitating the person's own healing
response. In the United States, Reiki is part ofcomplementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This fact sheet provides a general overview of Reiki and suggests sources for additional information.
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Key Points
- People use Reiki to promote overall health and well-being. Reiki is also used
by people who are seeking relief from disease-related symptoms and the side effects of conventional medical treatments.
- Reiki
has historically been practiced as a form of self-care. Increasingly, it is also provided by health care professionals in
a variety of clinical settings.
- People do not need a special background to learn how to perform Reiki. Currently,
training and certification for Reiki practitioners are not formally regulated.
- Scientific research is under way to
learn more about how Reiki may work, its possible effects on health, and diseases and conditions for which it may be helpful.
- Tell
your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you
do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
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History
The word "Reiki" is derived from two Japanese words: rei, or universal,
and ki, or life energy. Current Reiki practice can be traced to the spiritual teachings of Mikao Usui in Japan
during the early 20th century. Usui's teachings included meditative techniques and healing practices. One of Usui's students,
Chujiro Hayashi, further developed the healing practices, placing less emphasis on the meditative techniques. An American
named Hawayo Takata learned Reiki from Hayashi in Japan and introduced it to Western cultures in the late 1930s.
The
type of Reiki practiced and taught by Hayashi and Takata may be considered traditional Reiki. Numerous variations (or schools)
of Reiki have since been developed and are currently practiced.
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Practice
Reiki is based on the idea that there is a universal (or source) energy that supports
the body's innate healing abilities. Practitioners seek to access this energy, allowing it to flow to the body and facilitate
healing.
Although generally practiced as a form of self-care, Reiki can be received from someone else and may be offered
in a variety of health care settings, including medical offices, hospitals, and clinics. It can be practiced on its own or
along with other CAM therapies or conventional medical treatments.
In a Reiki session, the client lies down or sits comfortably, fully
clothed. The practitioner's hands are placed lightly on or just above the client's body, palms down, using a series of 12
to 15 different hand positions. Each position is held for about 2 to 5 minutes, or until the practitioner feels that the flow
of energy-experienced as sensations such as heat or tingling in the hands-has slowed or stopped. The number of sessions depends
on the health needs of the client. Typically, the practitioner delivers at least four sessions of 30 to 90 minutes each. The
duration of Reiki sessions may be shorter in certain health care settings (for example, during surgery).
Practitioners
with appropriate training may perform Reiki from a distance, that is, on clients who are not physically present in the office
or clinic.
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Uses
According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey
of CAM use by Americans, more than 1.2 million adults had used an energy healing therapy, such as Reiki, in the previous year.
The survey also found that approximately 161,000 children had used an energy healing therapy in the previous year.
People
use Reiki for relaxation, stress reduction, and symptom relief, in efforts to improve overall health and well-being. Reiki
has been used by people with anxiety, chronic pain, HIV/AIDS, and other health conditions, as well as by people recovering
from surgery or experiencing side effects from cancer treatments. Reiki has also been given to people who are dying (and to
their families and caregivers) to help impart a sense of peace.
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Effects and Safety
Clients may experience a deep state of relaxation during a Reiki session. They
might also feel warm, tingly, sleepy, or refreshed.
Reiki appears to be generally safe, and no serious side effects
have been reported.
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Training, Licensing, and Certification
No special background or credentials are needed to
receive training. However, Reiki must be learned from an experienced teacher or a Master; it cannot be self-taught. The specific
techniques taught can vary greatly.
Training in traditional Reiki has three degrees (levels), each focusing on a different
aspect of practice. Each degree includes one or more initiations (also called attunements or empowerments). Receiving an initiation
is believed to activate the ability to access Reiki energy. Training for first- and second-degree practice is typically given
in 8 to 12 class hours over about 2 days. In first-degree training, students learn to perform Reiki on themselves and on others.
In second-degree training, students learn to perform Reiki on others from a distance. Some students seek master-level (third-degree)
training. A Reiki Master can teach and initiate students. Becoming a Master can take years.
Reiki practitioners' training
and expertise vary. Increasingly, many people who seek training are licensed health care professionals. However, no licensing
or professional standards exist for the practice of Reiki.
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If You Are Thinking About Using Reiki
- Do not use Reiki as a replacement for proven conventional
care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem.
- Find out about the Reiki practitioner's background, including
training and experience treating clients.
- Be aware that Reiki has not been well studied scientifically, but research
on whether and how Reiki may work is under way.
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative
practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe
care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about CAM,
Credit for the above
information goes to CAM the US Governments alternative Health Dept. and my be viewed on thier wesite
