Reiki: an alternative healing therapy

Eight years ago I rescued Freddie, my dog, who is now 15 years old. Skin problems, food intolerance, kidney and heart failure did not exactly give me a good prognosis or a promising life expectancy. However, today this little old guy is full of vitality, exercises regularly, has a strong stomach and takes no medication. How do I do it?

Besides using Bach flower, therapeutic cannabis and natural medicines, I perform a weekly Reiki session for Freddie, an alternative therapy that has given us excellent results.

As a scientist, Reiki sounded like ‘hocus pocus’ to me. I came across to it during a yoga class, the teacher was a Reiki practitioner and since… it caught my attention. In this article I tell you everything you need to know about this ancient technique.

What is Reiki?

The term Reiki is formed by two words: Rei, which means “universal spirit”, “universal consciousness” and Ki which means “universal energy, life force”. It is a technique from Japan that is about 2500 years old and was practiced by Tibetan monks.

It is an alternative healing and self-healing therapy that works on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. It consists on placing hands on the person and/or animals, called receptors, with the purpose of transmitting Universal energy. This energy restores the balance and harmony that has been lost and works on a holistic level, focusing on the receiver as an indivisible whole.

At the physical level, the body receives all this energy and recovers its vitality and health. It helps to fight all types of pain, injuries, fractures; it improves the metabolism, helps to eliminate overweight and to cure infections.

On a mental level, it reduces stress, tension, anxiety, insomnia and helps eliminate unhealthy habits. Regarding emotions, it is a great ally to solve affective problems and eradicate feelings of unhappiness, aggressiveness and sadness. Finally, Reiki brings us harmony, peace and spiritual balance.

This alternative therapy has no side effects and no side damage. Also, its effects are cumulative and long-term, meaning that they last over time. With only one weekly session, you can feel the changes in energy of those who receive Reiki.

The Reiki motto

This discipline has five premises that summarize a positive, healthy and stress-free lifestyle.

1. Just for today, I will love.
2. Just for today, I will trust.
3. Just for today, I will thank for the blessings in my life.
4. Just for today, I will do my job with appreciation and honesty.
5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living creature.

If you repeat these five phrases every day, first thing in the morning, I guarantee that your path will be much lighter and easier to walk. Give it a try and you will see that I am right. You are all set up for a nice day!

Is it possible to heal with your hands?

It seems so, based on the circumstantial evidence we have so far. I speak from my position as a Reiki Master, from my profession as a Veterinarian and from my vast experience in this area. When we practice Reiki, one way or another, we are able to transmit healing and renewing energy through our hands.

Theories say that the body functions as an “energy biofield” that will receive the energy waves from the Reiki practitioner and distribute them where they are needed most. On the other hand, in the case of remote Reiki, it is based on quantum physics, which strives to explain the relationship between energy and matter.

With regard to the preparation to become a Reiki practitioner, it has three levels. In the first level, the master attunes the apprentice to the universal energy and develops the natural ability to heal his or her body and those around him or her.

The second level goes a bit further in handling energy and the therapist can give Reiki remotely to people who are far away from him or her. In level three, you become a Reiki Master and you will be able to teach and initiate others in this practice.

Science and Reiki as an alternative therapy

Several studies in the field of electromagnetic therapy applied to medicine suggest that certain magnetic fields contribute to the healing process of fractures and other problems such as osteoarthritis, imperfect osteogenesis and osteoporosis, among others.

Remember that those of us who give Reiki by laying on our hands can emit Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) signals through them. However, it is important to emphasize that this tuning by the Reiki Master is necessary for the therapist’s hands to serve as an energy channel.

While laying on hands, the vibratory field generated is variable and not stable, which turns out to be very effective for the healing of different tissues. Likewise, the brain waves of the one who gives and the one who receives Reiki are synchronized in a magnetic field, which is known as Shuman Resonance.

Recognized by the WHO, at this point we must remember that Reiki is an alternative and complementary therapy to traditional medicine. In this aspect, many hospitals around the world offer Reiki sessions to patients with different pathologies. But it is never suggested as a replacement for any medical treatment that the patient is undergoing.

Conclusions about Reiki

Despite being an ancient healing technique, Reiki still needs much more scientific research to be recognized for what it is: an alternative therapy that promotes healing through the laying on of hands.

As I see it, it would be a mistake to dismiss this complementary therapy because of a lack of scientific understanding and evidence. After all, the earth wasn’t always known to be round. The practice of Reiki itself gives us evidence that speaks for itself.

From my position I will continue to encourage the practice of Reiki on animals and people as a way to relieve pain and improve quality of life. This is why I invite you to share with me your experiences with Reiki in case you have had them. Otherwise, I encourage you to start taking sessions and see what Reiki has to offer you and your pets.

Remember that you don’t have to believe, but simply let yourself be carried away by the feelings of well-being that Reiki provides.