Reiki and other Healing Energies – An Introduction

A lot of people have heard of reiki and other forms of traditional healing from the East, but aren’t sure how they work, or even if they actually do work.

The truth is that reiki DOES work, according to numerous studies and is just one form of what we can term energy work, using the body’s energy to heal physical and mental issues. Some of the most common and familiar forms of energy work are acupuncture, acupressure, chakra work and reiki. Reiki has a lot in common with all 3 of these healing modalities, and a few key differences.

Acupuncture and acupressure are the most familiar forms of Traditional Chinese medicine. Each uses the meridians, 14 different energy centers of the body, in different ways. With acupuncture, thin metal needs are used to balance, stimulate or adjust the energy within the meridian.

With acupressure, a finger or knuckle is used to press hard on each meridian and get the energy to unblock and flow once more.

Chakra work comes from traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine. The word chakra means wheel or vortex of energy, and the 7 chakras are believed to be the seat of certain forms of energy, such as the heart for love and compassion and the throat for effective communication.

Reiki, pronounced RAY-key, means spirit energy. It is commonly translated as universal life force energy. Its goals is to balance and move around the ki or qi, (pronounced CHEE), or vital energy that keeps us alive and healthy. If the qi stops flowing, illness can result.

Reiki is different from acupuncture and acupressure because it is a form of “hands on healing,’ laying hands on the body in certain positions to balance the meridians, but without pressing hard. It can also be done without touching the person at all.

It is also different because it works with the chakras as well. Depending on the style of reiki used, some practitioners will just focus on overall health and balance, such as Western style. Japanese traditional practitioners will aim for deeper healing.

If you’ve been feeling run down and as if your get up and go has got up and went, it might be time to try reiki. It’s the gentlest of all energy work modalities, and can enhance body, mind and spirit if you give yourself regular treatments and practice clean living on the days you don’t have a treatment.