REIKI, an Alternative Method to Healing

Reiki means 'universal life energy' in Japanese. It is a system of natural healing which is based on the fact that by channeling the life force or energies from the earth and the cosmos through the practitioner's hands which are placed over specific areas of the body for maximum restoration, the body's own natural healing ability is activated.

The exact historical origins of Reiki are unclear as 'hands-on' healing methods date back thousands of years. Reiki, as practiced today, originates from early 20th century Japan and attributed to Miako Usui. Usui is said to have rediscovered Reiki while studying as a Buddhist Monk.

Some people speculate that Usui developed Reiki by combining several ancient Eastern healing techniques and philosophies such as Chinese Medicine, Chi Gong and Acupuncture. On finding that Reiki worked well on a number of conditions and ailments, Usui opened the first Reiki School in Tokyo in 1922.

One of Usui's Reiki students, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi developed the hand position system that is now commonly used. After leaving Usui's school, Dr Hayashi started his own clinic practicing and teaching Reiki. During this time he attuned Hawayo Takata as a Reiki Master. Takata is attributed to bringing Reiki to the Western world after World War II. Reiki was introduced to the UK in the 80s and has grown in popularity ever since.

Ancient Japanese philosophy states that Reiki is a universal life-energy known as Ki similar to Chinese gi energy. When this energy becomes blocked in the body it can cause illness. Reiki therapy restores the energy balance by stimulating the body's natural healing response and helping it to overcome physical, mental and emotional problems.

All things on the earth, as well as the earth itself are made up of energy. The sun radiates energy, plants, animals and humans emit energy and the earth's own infinite sources of energy are all around us as we live, breathe and go about our lives. Reiki practitioners channel the earth's living energy sources and transmit it through their hands to the person being treated. Rather than treating the symptoms, Reiki treats the cause of the problem. Reiki practitioners believe that illness stems from the subconscious and the therapy treats the mind and body together.

Reiki can be used to relieve stress in the mind and body as well as helping to overcome physical problems. It can help the body to let go and purge itself of harmful toxins and then stimulate the release of the body's own healing hormones and chemicals. Over time Reiki therapy will help improve the body's overall health and ability to ward off and fight illness and injury. Reiki quickly assists to improve circulation which will normalize blood pressure and heart rate as well as digestion by stimulating secretion of healthy amounts gastric acid.

Reiki is a safe, relaxing, non-invasive and gentle therapy that can work alongside other alternative therapies and conventional medicine. Consult with your doctor and Reiki practitioner about any problems or concerns you have as they are trained to recognize what can and cannot be treated with the therapy.

Some conditions that are commonly treated with a great deal of success are;
Emotional trauma, physical injuries from motor vehicle accidents or sports, allergies, Anorexia, Bulimia, depression, digestive problems, chronic pain, cancers, chronic fatigue, ADHD and OCD, headaches, infertility, menopausal symptoms and hormone imbalances, to name only a few problems Reiki can help alleviate.