Many people are familiar with massage therapies and their ability to relieve tension in the body. But not too many people are familiar with Reiki therapy. Reiki is both a hands-on and hands-off healing technique that’s almost 100 years old. In this article we’ll be going over the benefits of Reiki for stress relief, the history of the practice, as well as what to expect from a basic Reiki session.
What Is Reiki Therapy?
The aim of Reiki is to stimulate the flow of one’s “life force energy,” removing blockages which can prevent that energy from streaming throughout the body. According to Reiki practitioners (in addition to other systems like Chinese traditional medicine), when your life force energy is at lower levels, you’re more prone to stressors and certain illnesses. On the other hand, when it’s flowing smoothly, you’ll be much better protected against disease and stress. And you’ll also experience more energy and fullness of life.
With the ability to decrease stress by releasing tension from the entire body, Reiki therapy can help individuals gravitate toward the enhanced harmonization of their bodies, minds, and spirits. But effective stress management is only one of the numerous benefits which Reiki can provide to an individual.
Additionally, one could use also Reiki therapy as a form of holistic healing for issues dealing with anxiety, depression, insomnia, muscle tension, or fatigue, to name just a few. But before we go further into Reiki for stress relief, you may be wondering what Reiki is all about.
Where Did Reiki Come From?
The practice was first Introduced in Japan from about 1912 to 1922, by various healers such as Mikao Usui, Matiji Kawakami, Reikaku Ishinuki, Kogetsu Matsubara, and Reisen Oyama. Reiki means “universal life energy.” The ‘ki’ in Reiki is the same as the Chinese ‘qi’ or ‘chi.’ The Ayurvedic traditions call it ‘prana.’ Whatever one calls it, it’s believed that this universal energy is flowing through all living things.
Reiki therapy is carried out through light touch which activates the patient’s innate healing systems within the body, helping remove blockages to one’s vital ‘ki’ energy. Essentially, the Reiki therapist acts as something of a conduit for this healing energy, though this can be a pretty tough concept to wrap your head around if you’re new to these kinds of topics.
Many people scoff at the idea of any type of “energy healing.” That doesn’t change the fact that there are also many others who have reported major benefits and life improvements from Reiki sessions, regardless of whether or not they “believed” in the energy before their sessions.
Reiki And Our Chakras
One of the ways in which Reiki promotes the flow of vital energy throughout the body is by “activating” one’s chakras. Chakras ascribe to the idea that your body is a vessel of life force energy. By becoming in tune – or in harmony – with this energy within yourself, you can promote balance and a healthier lifestyle. There are several ancient Eastern texts that discuss chakra theories at length, and it is also an important pillar of kundalini yoga practice.
Although there are some variations between different systems that emphasize the chakras (mainly Buddhist and Hindu meditation practices), there are generally considered to be seven main chakras throughout the body.
The seven chakras are:
1. The root chakra
2. The sacral chakra
3. The solar plexus chakra
4. The heart chakra
5. The throat chakra
6. The third-eye chakra
7. The crown chakra
Certain New Age ideas have also associated each chakra with a specific color assigned to them, or sometimes they are visualized as a lotus flower with a different number of petals.
How Does Reiki Work?
While there’s substantial research attesting to the positive health benefits of Reiki therapy, such as lower heart rates and blood pressure levels, there are only general theories on the exact cause of these effects.
The consensus is that Reiki is an intricate process that interacts with several body systems. Reiki energy allows the body to gradually shift from being controlled by the stress reaction known as ‘fight or flight,’ to a relaxation reaction. This also helps promote the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
Research hypothesizes that what medical science characterizes as the “biofield” is what activates Reiki’s healing effects. The biofield is regarded as the vibrational energy range thought to encircle and affect the physical body.
What Can You Expect from a Typical Reiki Session?
Regarded as a non-invasive approach to therapy, a practitioner performs a typical Reiki session through light, non-intrusive touch. Throughout the session, the practitioner places his or her hands on various locations around the patient’s torso and head.
For a Reiki session, one may expect an hour or so long appointment. Similar to massage therapy, the patient often lays down on a comfortable padded table during the session. Some sessions might be seated, however. Unlike a massage, a patient can usually keep on the same clothes he or she came to the session in.
While talking is usually kept to a minimum, the Reiki practitioner may choose to play relaxing or soothing music in order to help promote the client’s sense of peace. You may request silence if you feel it will be conducive to your session. Discuss with your practitioner beforehand on how you can best prepare for the session.
You may feel a powerful heat emanating from your practitioner’s hands; this is normal and indicative of how your body perceives the energy of others. Because it truly differs from person to person, one may not feel the heat as intensely as others; do not worry if that applies to you as it is not an indicator of how much it is “working.”
However, with all reiki sessions, one should feel a strong underlying sense of deep relaxation and calmness during the process, followed by a strong feeling of being awake and energized after the session is over.
Many individuals report improvement shortly after their session, or find that their night’s sleep immediately following the appointment was especially restful. The number of treatments one may require depends on what, exactly, one is hoping for the Reiki to achieve.
At your first session, discuss with the Reiki specialist your needs and goals in order to help them estimate how many treatments may be required. To maximize the benefits after each appointment, consult the practitioner on a self-care routine after each session. For example, some specialists recommend journaling about the Reiki session in a notebook, drawing, or practicing mindfulness meditation later that evening.
Use Reiki For Stress Management
As a holistic approach to managing and treating stress, the essence of Reiki centers around the comprehensive health of the body and its potential to maintain a balance known as homeostasis. Practitioners believe that Reiki improves human homeostasis by balancing the body’s inner conditions in response to environmental variables.
Because poor stress management affects the fundamental equilibrium of the body, people generally recognize Reiki as an effective means to lessen the impact of stress. By decreasing tension, Reiki therapy allows the body, mind, and spirit to harmonize and operate at its highest potential.
Reiki Aids Addiction Recovery
Withdrawal from chemical dependence takes a toll on the body and the mind. Practitioners of holistic addiction recovery therapies have discovered the ability of Reiki therapy to lessen the unpleasant physical and mental symptoms of withdrawal. Though reports indicate new clients were hesitant to try Reiki, results showed that within 30 minutes, the soothing effects of the therapy successfully eradicated the shaking symptoms of withdrawal.
After offering Reiki therapy to patients in recovery, practitioners realized that individuals became more secure and comfortable in their environment. This helped them release the feelings of fear and panic that typically accompany withdrawal symptoms. Further results indicated that clients who suffered feelings of anger and guilt began to appear calmer and more grounded after receiving Reiki therapy.
Reports also note the ability of Reiki as a holistic rehab therapy to promote a positive outcome for clients who had previously struggled with relapse. Practitioners found that unresolved feelings that patients had not found a healthy way to address hinder the ability of people to remain on a steady path. Reiki became a powerful means of enabling clients to determine what was blocking them from pursuing recovery.
Because of the calming impact of Reiki, several individuals were able to recall past traumas without a rush of emotional pain. This allowed them to be observers, instead of victims, of their traumatic experiences. In effect, clients became more aware of their previous behaviors and learned to recognize how these behaviors resulted in relapse. This helped them to approach these issues without fear.
Reiki for All
Acquiring proper stress management techniques is instrumental in fostering your sense of health and well-being, on both a physical and mental level. Reiki is an effective stress-management tool for anyone seeking to reduce the amount of anxiety they experience every day. After a session, muscles begin to release pressure and stress reactions lessen, creating a stronger spirit of comfort in one’s life, while decreasing the negative effects of stress.
About Reflections Recovery Center
Reflections Recovery Center in Prescott, AZ helps men recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Our holistic recovery programs help in addiction treatment and assist individuals in staying sober after detox.
