What Happens To Your Body During A Reiki Session?

Reiki has become a buzzword recently, so what's it all about? The word "Reiki" basically means "mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign." It's a combination of the Japanese words "rei," which means universal, and "ki," which means life energy. Essentially, it's a type of healing style that utilizes the energy fields around a person's body. The practice originated in Japan in the 1800s and has gained popularity across the Pacific. The transfer of energy takes place while the specialist hovers or places their hands around the recipient's body. Often their hands provide a warm and tingling feeling. While science has been unable to prove the healing practice's effectiveness, many individuals who have sought help from Reiki have felt all kinds of positive results. Some practitioners have used Reiki in attempts to treat cancer, heart disease, anxiety, depression, infertility, autism, and many other conditions (via Medical News Today).

Reiki is meant to treat a person holistically. Practitioners claim it treats the whole body, including the mind and spirit. It's said that Reiki recipients experience relaxation and feelings of complete peace and well-being. This is all reportedly caused by the reiki professional's ability to move and utilize energy forces within patient's body (via Reiki Training).

According to the University of Minnesota, people claim the feel refreshed, extremely relaxed, and in-between a waking and sleep state. Many say it's better than after a massage, and feel as though they have greater mental clarity after a session. Others have reported experiences that are almost metaphysical in nature. Individuals have claimed that they "are hovering in a threshold state of consciousness, simultaneously aware of their surroundings and deeply indrawn."

There seem to be immediate benefits to the body thanks to this age-old healing technique, but what about long-term improvements to well-being? Apparently the effects of Reiki can take place after the session is complete, as some recipients describe improved focus throughout their entire day, better digestion, and deeper sleep.

So, is it all just a bunch of new age mumbo-jumbo? Or is Reiki a miraculous, centuries old healing practice that's been lost to modern medical science? To many who have experienced it, Reiki seems to be a very real and very powerful source for healing for the body and the mind.