Reiki's Healing Touch

Traditional symbols (Sanskrit-derived Japanese characters) can also be used during reiki sessions to increase the flow of qi and bring the patient to a higher level of awareness. Advanced practitioners can also meditate on them, through drawing, visualizing or saying them out loud.

Choku rei, for instance, is the power symbol, which is used to increase energy significantly. Sei he ki can be used for emotional and mental healing. With this symbol, practitioners can help alleviate depression and anxiety, as it may enable patients to connect with their subconscious mind and heal from past trauma.

Evaluating the Practice

Reiki is also referred to as a complementary and alternative medicine. Few of its results have been scientifically proven, so it should be used together with, rather than in place of, conventional medicine.

There has been some evidence, however, noting its benefits. According to a study by the Cross Cancer Institute, 20 cancer patients who experienced reiki had a significant reduction in pain.

A separate study published in the Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine Journal tested reiki on 120 chronically ill patients suffering from pain, depression and anxiety; their physical ailments included headaches, arthritis, ulcers, asthma and hypertension. The patients experienced 10 30-minute treatments, two times a week, over a period five weeks. The trial concluded that reiki did have some lasting beneficial effects on pain and mental state.

The Next Level

If you want to learn the practice yourself, there are several training sessions, such as those from Reiki New York. For $165, students learn about reiki's history and proper hand positioning, and receive a certification to become a reiki practitioner.

Although the practitioner's relationship with clients is essential in reiki, it's also important to stay connected with the experts. By joining the Reiki Council, it's possible to find a reiki community where you can speak to and learn from other practitioners.

The International Center for Reiki Training, a nonprofit organization, is another rich source for all types of reiki practice.

The next time you're feeling under the weather, consider reiki. You might be surprised at the benefits of this gentle technique.

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