Reiki is a non-invasive complementary therapy primarily used for stress reduction and deep relaxation. Its benefits stem from this core function, offering significant support for managing symptoms of anxiety and depression, aiding in emotional healing, and contributing to the management of physiological stress responses like hypertension. The practice is founded on the principle of channeling universal life force energy to the recipient, which helps to balance the body’s energy centers (chakras) and clear disruptive or stagnant energy. It is considered safe, with no absolute contraindications, and can be practiced by an attuned individual on themselves.
Reiki for Anxiety, Depression, and Hypertension
Reiki operates by inducing a state of deep relaxation, which activates the body’s parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” response. This process directly counters the physiological effects of chronic stress.
For individuals experiencing anxiety or depression, Reiki sessions can provide a calm space, helping to quiet persistent mental activity and alleviate feelings of dread or hopelessness. While it is not a substitute for psychotherapy or medication, it is a powerful complementary tool. Clinical and hospital settings use Reiki to help reduce patient anxiety before surgery and to support the mental well-being of those in long-term care.
This same stress-reduction mechanism has implications for hypertension (high blood pressure). Chronic stress is a known contributor to elevated blood pressure. By promoting a deep and lasting state of relaxation, Reiki can help support the body’s return to a state of equilibrium, which may contribute to the management of stress-induced hypertension when used as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Reiki for Emotional Healing
Reiki facilitates emotional healing by creating a safe, supportive energetic environment for the body and mind. The deep relaxation of a session allows suppressed or “stuck” emotions to surface and be released without the recipient needing to re-live the associated trauma. This gentle process helps to clear “emotional baggage” or blockages from the body’s energy field. Recipients often report feeling “lighter” and more emotionally resilient after a session, finding they have a new perspective on past events or current difficulties.
Energetic Principles: Chakras and Negative Energy
Reiki’s healing process is understood through its interaction with the body’s subtle energy system, which includes the chakras and the aura.
Reiki for Chakra Balancing
The seven main chakras are centers of energy that correspond to different aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Stress, trauma, and illness can cause these centers to become blocked, overactive, or deficient, leading to imbalance. Reiki energy flows to wherever it is most needed by the recipient’s body. As it moves through the system, it works to dissolve these blockages and restore the natural flow and spin of the chakras, bringing the entire energetic system back into a state of harmony and balance.
Reiki for Clearing Negative Energy
“Negative energy” is a term for stagnant, dense, or disruptive energy patterns within the biofield. These patterns can be the result of one’s own negative thought patterns, prolonged stress, or exposure to unhealthy environments. Reiki’s high-frequency energy works by breaking up these areas of stagnation. It essentially “flushes” the energy system, clearing out the disruptive patterns and replacing them with clear, vital life force, which promotes a feeling of well-being and clarity.
Safety: Side Effects and Contraindications
Reiki is recognized as one of the safest complementary therapies available because it is non-invasive and the practitioner is merely a conduit for the energy, which the recipient’s body draws in as needed.
Potential Side Effects
There are no known harmful or adverse side effects from receiving Reiki. However, some individuals may experience what is known as a “healing crisis” or “healing response.” This is a temporary period after a session where the body is “detoxifying.” Symptoms may include temporary tiredness, a mild headache, or a brief emotional release (such as crying). This is viewed as a positive, constructive part of the healing process as the body purges old energy and rebalances itself.
Contraindications for Treatment
There are no absolute contraindications for Reiki. Because it is a gentle, non-manipulative therapy, it is safe for people of all ages and conditions. It can be performed on:
- Pregnant women
- Individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
- Patients in pre- or post-operative care
- People with pacemakers or other medical implants
- The elderly and infants
Reiki always works to support the recipient’s highest good and cannot cause harm. It is used in conjunction with, and never as a replacement for, conventional medical treatment.
The Practice of Self-Reiki
A foundational element of Reiki training, beginning at Level I, is the practice of self-Reiki. Once a person has been “attuned” by a Reiki Master-Teacher, they are able to channel the energy for their own healing. This involves the practitioner placing their hands on their own body, typically following a sequence of positions that cover the head, the front of the torso (covering the main chakras), and the back. Practicing self-Reiki daily is a powerful method for managing personal stress, maintaining energetic balance, and promoting one’s own physical and emotional health.
