What to Expect During an in Person Reiki Treatment

In person Reiki treatments are now available in many areas. Some Reiki practitioners do treatments out of their homes, while others have their own offices or work with other professionals. Still other Reiki practitioners will travel to your home to give you a treatment. But no matter where the treatment takes place, there are certain things you can expect during an in person Reiki treatment.

1. What is Reiki? The practitioner will tell you what Reiki is and clarify your expectations of the treatment. He or she may also discuss the Reiki symbols with you and ask if you want them to be part of your treatment.

2. Hand positions. Your Reiki practitioner will discuss the Reiki hand positions with you, and you will have the opportunity to refuse any you feel uncomfortable with.

3. Consent form. You will be asked to sign a form that states that you understand the following:
What Reiki is
That you consent to the hand positions (cross out or note any you do not want)
That it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment
That the Reiki practitioner cannot diagnose or cure anything (unless they have other credentials as well)
That Reiki is a complimentary healing modality
That Reiki aids in stress reduction and relaxation

Some practitioners will list other conditions on their consent forms, but these are the basic statements you will be asked to read and understand.

4. Preparation. You may be asked to sit in a chair, in which case you would keep your shoes on. If you will be lying down, the practitioner will ask you to remove your shoes. All other clothing will remain in place.

5. The treatment. Your Reiki practitioner will go through some different Reiki hand positions, minus any you don't feel comfortable with. There may be more or fewer hand positions, depending on your practitioner's training and personal preference. You may feel heat, cold, tingling, or sleepy during the treatment. If you feel pain or want to talk about anything, tell your practitioner. Talking is often discouraged, because relaxation is important, but talking will not disrupt the Reiki energy.

6. Grounding. Full Reiki treatments last for about an hour. However, some practitioners do seated treatments that last for 30 minutes, and some also do longer treatments. In any case, when your treatment is finished, the practitioner will help ground you with Reiki. You may be offered a glass of water, which you should accept and drink slowly, in order to stabilize yourself. Get up slowly, and tell the practitioner if you have any questions or concerns about the treatment.

In person Reiki treatments are relaxing, and any time you have for one is enough. If you can't stay for a full treatment, ask about a shorter one.

Reiki treatments are neither complicated nor harmful, but it's best to know what to expect before you have one.