HEALING AN ANXIOUS WORLD

By Inge Mancktelow

As alternative and complementary healthcare methods around the world are gaining in popularity, reiki is moving out of the woo-woo mists that obscure numerous energy healing practices, and taking its place amongst the starting line-up along with acupuncture and similar modalities.

‘Rei’ means ‘universal’ and ‘ki’ means ‘life force energy’. Reiki is a healing modality that aims to channel the universal life force energy through the practitioner and into the body of the client, where it is said to clear energetic blockages and enhance healing in the client’s body.

Although modern reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in 1922, ‘layingon-of-hands’ treatments date back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian texts from around 1552 BC show evidence of the use of this powerful healing modality.

Nowadays, reiki is used as a complementary therapy in combatting many acute and chronic illnesses, and the pain and discomfort associated with the treatment of illnesses such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used for mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, as it is said to help induce a lasting sense of calm and a peaceful, meditative state that many struggle to generate on their own.

At least 15% of US hospitals offer reiki services to patients, and The Healing Touch Association estimates that more than 30 000 nurses in US hospitals use touch practices every year. The aim is to support healing and induce an inner feeling of wellbeing in the patient.

Physically, reiki aims to induce relaxation and the rest-and-digest response, which is the ideal state in which the body heals itself. And that’s the crux – reiki doesn’t do the healing, it removes any blockages and gives the body the space and the tools to heal itself. It is a gentle, noninvasive procedure that can do no harm.

How Does Reiki Work?

Modern living causes a build-up of toxins in the organs and cells of the body, as well as in the energy fields that feed the organs and cells. These toxins cause blockages that affect the functioning of these systems, eventually leading to pain and disease. Reiki aims to clear the energetic blockages so that ‘prana’ or life-giving energy can flow through the energy centres and nourish the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies.

This can be particularly powerful when treating anxiety. In the aftermath of Covid, anxiety has become a pandemic in itself. As Deepak Chopra says: “The signature experience associated with work…today, it’s anxiety. Studies show that the effects of this prolonged sense of urgency on our nervous systems constrict the higher functioning processes of the brain, like motivation, decision making, planning, social behaviour, language and speech production.”

A McKinsey article about the wellness industry in 2020 showed that half of the consumers “wished that more mindfulness products were available”. “We expect a greater shift towards services…that emphasise physical and mental health. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that physical and mental health will remain a priority for millions of people across the globe for a long time to come.” that stress and anxiety are having on the productivity and day-to-day functioning of their employees, and to prioritise their wellness in order to achieve the professional distinction and economic prosperity needed to face an uncertain future head-on.

What Happens in a Reiki Session?

Reiki sessions last between 45 and 90 minutes. During this time, the practitioner places their hands in various positions along the front and back of the body. They place their hands lightly on or above the body, depending on the professional practice of the practitioner and the comfort level of the client, and hold each position for three to five minutes.

Reiki is non-religious, and you don’t need to ‘believe’ in it for it to work. However, being open to the sensations that you feel during treatment will certainly help to enrich the experience. The practitioner might also end off by discussing their impressions, what they learned from your body, and ask you what you experienced. This can help you to understand your body’s path to healing, help the therapist to suggest additional healing practices and tools to improve your life, and work as a baseline for future treatments.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Inge Mancktelow is a registered reiki practitioner with the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto Japan. She has been practising for four years. For more information or to get in touch, find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ revitalisereiki or Instagram at @Revitalisereiki.

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