Reiki is a vibrational bio-field therapy that works on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of the human being. Reiki is also known as energy therapy or energy medicine and the word Reiki means “universal life force energy.”

We are alive because life force energy is flowing through our physical body and around us in a field of energy or “bio-field.” Life force energy nourishes the organs and cells of the body and supports their vital functions. It is as important to the body as healthy food, pure water and clean air. When the natural flow of life force energy is blocked or low, the body becomes depleted and the organs and tissues are unable to function effectively. In this state a person is much more susceptible to illness, depression and other diseases or disorders.

Unresolved emotional issues, daily stresses and trauma are some of the main forms of negative energies that easily disrupt the natural flow of life force energy in the body and throw it out of balance and out of harmony. When Reiki flows through the body and the bio-field it raises the vibratory level of the energy field in and around the physical body where the negative thoughts, feelings, memories and impressions are attached at the cellular level. Over a period of time and a series of Reiki sessions the negative energies break up and fall away or “shift” out. Reiki clears and heals the energy pathways, enabling life force energy to flow in a natural way, assisting the person to move towards physical, mental and emotional health and homeostasis.

A typical Reiki session will last for an hour with the recipient lying on a comfortable position on a Reiki table or in a hospital bed or even reclining in an armchair. The recipient is never touched in an inappropriate way and remains fully clothed. They may also be covered with a light blanket if they wish.

The Reiki practitioner places his or her hands gently on or just slightly above the body of the recipient in a series of positions aligning their hands with the seven charkas or energy centres of the body. Other hand positions may also be used if there are specific areas of pain. As soon as the practitioner begins the session, the recipient begins to feel deeply relaxed and often shifts into alpha brain wave state and then relaxes even further into theta brain wave state. Some recipients will even drift off to sleep.

In this deeply relaxed state the body releases toxins, releases pain, the mind is calmed, muscles are relaxed, negative emotions are released and the body's natural ability to heal is accelerated.

Many hospitals in the United States offer Reiki to patients to assist them prior to surgery, during surgery and after surgery, as well as during childbirth.

Dr. Mehmet Oz of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Centre in New York City was one of the first doctors to include a Reiki practitioner in his department. Dr. Oz is one of the leading cardiovascular surgeons in the United States and he has allowed the use of Reiki during open-heart surgeries and heart-transplant operations.

Dr. Mike Cantwell, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases, provides Reiki sessions to patients at the California Pacific Medical Center in Northern California. Dr. Cantwell has found Reiki to be useful in the treatment of acute illnesses such as musculoskeletal injury, pain, headache, acute infections, asthma and chronic illnesses especially those associated with chronic pain. Reiki is also offered at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital in New York.

Columbia/HCA Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire has been giving their surgical patients the option of 15 minute pre- and post-surgery Reiki treatments since 1998. As a result of this, there have been shorter stays in the hospital, an increase in patient satisfaction and less use of pain medication.

At the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. Nancy Eos incorporates Reiki in her medical practice. Dr. Eos noticed that pain lessens in intensity, wheezing changes to breathing clearly, rashes fade and angry people become happier.

In Arizona at the Tucson Medical Center, a team of Reiki practitioners give Reiki to patients in the Center’s Reiki Clinic. At first Reiki was only offered in the Cancer Care Unit but has since expanded to other units after it had been proven that chronic conditions, pain and post-operative surgery conditions all responded well to Reiki.

Tests conducted at Hartford Hospital in Hartford Connecticut show that Reiki used during pregnancy reduced anxiety by 94 percent, nausea by 80 percent, pain by 78 percent and improved sleep by 86 percent. Reiki practitioners are playing an active role in delivery rooms giving Reiki to mothers and babies to help alleviate the trauma during birth.

Eventually Reiki will be offered in hospitals all around the world as Doctors familiarize themselves with this natural and simple method of healing.

Barb Weston is a Usui Reiki master/teacher practicing in Vancouver, B.C.