Overview

Reiki therapy is a type of energy therapy in which "universal life energy" is channeled to the patient through touch and positive intention.

Reiki originated from Buddhist monks. "Rei" means "universal spirit" and "ki" means "life energy." Reiki is called an energy medicine therapy because practitioners believe that it can improve the flow and balance of energy. It is believed that energy imbalances or disturbances result in disease.

People use Reiki therapy for pain, stress, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Reiki Therapy overview.

Side Effects



Special Precautions and Warnings



Reiki therapy likely safe. There's no reason to expect safety concerns. But it shouldn't be used in place of standard treatments or therapies.


Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Reiki therapy is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But there's no reason to expect safety concerns.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Reiki Therapy overview.

Dosing

Reiki therapy involves a practitioner placing their hands on or very near a person's body. Through touch, the Reiki practitioner attempts to transmit or deliver energy. The Reiki practitioner uses 12-15 different hand positions and keeps them in place for 2-5 minutes. Sessions often last for 30, 60, or 90 minutes.

Reiki practitioners are largely unregulated in North America. In some states, Reiki practitioners must also be licensed massage therapists. There is no consistent standard for training in Reiki therapy. But most schools recognize three or four levels of expertise. Training for each level takes 1-2 days. Talk to your physician or other healthcare professional to learn more about how Reiki therapy is used for specific conditions.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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