REIKI FAQS

Brenner Reiki Healing's Reiki FAQs

Does Reiki cure people?

First, there is a difference between healing and curing.  Curing means the eradication of disease or sickness, usually through medication, surgery, or other allopathic means.  Healing, on the other hand, restores balance to the body.  Since Reiki balances our entire system, Reiki can be effective in alleviating specific symptoms.  Examples include reducing stress; alleviating pain; improving sleep; accelerating healing and recovery from injury and surgery; improving chronic problems such as asthma, exzema, headaches, back pain, fatigue, sciatica, vestibular disorders, fibromyalgia; reducing blood pressure; increasing energy and vitality; supporting immune function; and easing depressions and fears.  Reiki cannot guarantee a cure of an ailment; it can, however, provide a person with wholeness, wellness and empowerment, even in cases of a terminal illness.   

Is Reiki safe?

Reiki works for the highest healing good of each person.  Reiki cannot cause harm.  No substances are ingested.  It is safe for people of all ages, as well as for animals, and for any situation, including surgery, pregnancy, and childbirth.  Reiki is a gentle form of healing.  There have been no reported cases of negative outcomes from reiki.  There are no medical contraindications with Reiki.

How does Reiki fit into other types of health care?

Reiki is part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), or integrative medicine, as opposed to allopathic (also known as Western medicine. scientific medicine, or biomedicine) medicine.   As a complementary, or integrative, healing modality, reiki is practiced in hospitals across the world.  Often nurses themselves are initiated to reiki and use reiki as part of ongoing care.  In other cases, reiki practitioners are welcome into hospital rooms, pre-surgical rooms, and post-surgical recovery rooms. 

Reiki is also part of holistic health care in that Reiki addresses the whole person who has the disease, rather than the disease the person has.  As a holistic health care modality, reiki seeks to bring people to a state of wholeness in body, emotions, mind, and spirit.  Another focus of reiki as holistic health care is its emphasis on stress-alleviation as a treatment and as a preventative health measure. 

Reiki is often categorized as one of many methods of energy healing.  However, reiki differs from other forms of energy healing because the practitioner does not use his/her own energy to initiate changes in the recipient.  A reiki treatment, instead, empowers the recipient's own system to come into balance.  The reiki practitioner does not exert any particular effort in "making something happen to" the recipient.  

What should I do while receiving a treatment?  What will I feel and experience during the treatment?

During a reiki healing session you may want to relax as much as you can and be open. The experience of receiving a reiki treatment varies.  Some people may feel warmth or cold, others may feel some form of vibration or tingling, still others may see colors.  Some reiki recipients feel nothing at all, but this does not mean they will not benefit.  Almost every reiki recipient does experience a state of calmness and relaxation.  Some people find that their chronic or acute pain diminishes or completely vanishes.  It is different for each reiki recipient.

Does Reiki have anything to do with religion?

Reiki is not a religion.  There is no faith or belief or dogma involved.  Reiki is not faith healing.  Reiki is, however, spiritual in nature. 

Are there some health conditions Reiki cannot be used on?

Reiki can be used on all health conditions, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.  In cases of physical illness, you may experience accelerated healing, pain reduction, and decrease in side effects from medications.  If you are seeking emotional healing, reiki can reduce stress and anxiety, bringing balance and emotional equanimity to the mind and spirit.  Reiki can help bring anger and impatience under control, relieve symptoms of depression, increase vitality, and promote clarity in decision-making.

How long will it take for me to see results with Reiki?

Reiki is balancing to the whole system, but all of our systems differ.  Some people will experience benefits immediately, whether it be pain relief, mental clarity, or peaceeof mind.  Many people will sleep much better the night of the reiki treatment.  For chronic conditions, my experience is that repeated Reiki sessions, whether through self-Reiki or from a Reiki practitioner, may be needed. If you listen carefully to your body you will know when it is time for another session. 

As a method of health maintenance and illness prevention, regular reiki treatments will increase the body's own defenses, resulting in confidence, a positive outlook, and outward harmony in dealing with everyday stresses.

This is a costly endeavor, and my health insurance does not pay for it.  Is it really worth it?

You will have to determine this for yourself.  Explore your situation and discern how you feel about continuing on your present course.  To what extent are you willing to change?  How will you go about making the changes that reiki treatments will encourage and support?  Cost is relative; you may pay in pain, suffering, negativity, or money.  Only you can determine, then, if it is worth it.  I can say with confidence that, at the least, you will find reiki a superb stress reliever, and when stress is alleviated, your system is better able to cope with life's challenges and struggles. 

Can I just use Reiki instead of seeing a doctor?  What if I am already being seen by a physician for a medical condition?

Reiki is a complementary, or integrative, healing practice, so it is used in combination with other medical treatments.  Reiki is not a substitute for other kinds of medical care, so if you have a medical concern, be sure to consult with your physician as well. 

Reiki increases the immunity and well-being of the patient, so any form of medical treatment is enhanced.  If you are currenly taking medication prescribed by a physician for an illness, you will continue to do so along with your reiki treatment.  You will be asked to check in with your physician since your reiki sessions may alleviate symptoms, prompting a reduction in your medication dosage.  Reiki may help minimize adverse side effects of any medication you may be taking.

I heard of distance Reiki treatments?  How can they work?

Science does not yet know how distance Reiki works.  Distant healing can be sent at an agreed upon time, so the recipient is in a relaxed and receptive state.  However, the distant treatment will arrive no matter what the recipient is doing.  All that is required is that the recipient grants permission for the distant reiki to be sent and the practitioner uses his or her focus and intention to send reiki to a recipient who is at a distance.