REIKI HEALING
We offer complimentary approaches to support therapeutic and somatic healing.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki therapy is based on an Eastern belief that vital energy flows through your body.
The term comes from two Japanese words: “rei,” which means universal, and “ki,” which loosely translates to a flow of a lifeforce of energy that happens in all living things.
The reiki healing system, founded by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s, said that people should practice certain standards or values that bring about peace and harmony – ideals that most cultures practice. Reiki practices were brought to the Western part of the world by the practitioner Hawayo Hiromi Takata. The Usui system of natural healing, named after the founder of reiki therapy, is the form most widely practiced.
Reiki is not based in a religion, and those who engage in reiki treatment are free to follow their own beliefs and religious practices.
How does it work?​
Reiki practitioners act as a middle ground between you and energy forces. During a reiki therapy session, you lie on a massage table, fully dressed, while a practitioner places their palms on or just over areas of your body that are thought to be zones for energy. Energy travels from their hands to you, and your specific areas of focus.
Someone who specializes in reiki treatment uses gentle touch -- or places their hands just above your body -- to help guide this energy in a way that leads to balance and healing. Most individuals find sessions deeply relaxing.
​
Reiki is a complementary treatment, which means you use it along with proven traditional medical treatments. It has not been shown to cure or get rid of any health conditions by itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is attunement?
There are different degrees of attunement. Reiki supporters believe that:
-
First-degree attunement gives someone the ability to practice reiki on themselves and others with touch.
-
Second degree gives someone the ability to practice it mentally from a distance without direct touch.
-
Third degree (also called master level) gives someone the ability to give other people attunement rituals.
​
What are the side effects of reiki?
In general, reiki seems to be safe, but it should not be used as a substitute for traditional treatments provided by your doctor or other specialists. Reiki is meant to add on to therapy you may already receive. If you're healthy, regular reiki therapy session may be able to prevent certain conditions and increase your means of responding to stress.
​
What should I expect during the reiki session?
Reiki sessions can differ in many ways. You can expect or look out for a few differences, like:
-
Who the practitioner is. A reiki practitioner can be anyone trained in reiki, even a friend or yourself.
-
Where the session takes place. The setting can be anywhere, but a quiet place free of interruptions is usually preferred.
-
What sound is present during the session. Soft music or silence can be options for sound; you can request either option before your session.
-
Forms or details to provide before the session. Some practitioners may ask you to complete a form about your health or to agree to the therapy before your session.
-
How long the session takes. The time frame can be different and can be affected by the setting (for example, a hospital versus a home).
​
You can take a few other steps to provide comfort before your session, like asking your practitioner to give you some examples of hand placement and letting them know your needs or previous or current medical conditions that may affect the session (such as digestion problems, pregnancy, or scarring).
​
Even though you’re resting on a massage table, the practitioner isn’t giving a massage, using pressure, or moving your joints around, making reiki special compared to other touch-based treatments. They’re simply using gentle touch at most. You might feel sensations like heat, tingling, or pulsing where their hands are, or throughout your body. Or you might not notice any changes. Some people get so relaxed that they fall asleep.
​
What should I expect after a reiki session?
You might feel more relaxed or less stressed. If you’re getting reiki for a health condition, you’ll still need to follow your treatment and see your doctor as you usually do. Reiki doesn’t replace your regular medical care.
How much does a reiki session cost?
The International Center for Reiki Training says a treatment usually costs $25 to $100, depending on where you live. Some practitioners treat people for free or for a donation. At Convergent Mental Health and Wellness, we typically charge $50 for a 30 minute session.
​
Is reiki healing covered insurance?
Reiki sessions are not typically covered by insurance providers. However, if it is part of a treatment that is covered by your insurance plan (such as massage, physical therapy, or palliative care), talk to your insurance provider before treatment. ​​
