Our last Bliss Bite shared some information on what Reiki is. In this Bliss Bite I wanted to share what some of the benefits are.

While we can’t say exactly how Reiki works, studies have shown that Reiki can help in a variety of ways. “Studies and anecdotal evidence have shown that, in addition to promoting relaxation among patients, Reiki can also be used to encourage healing and provide other benefits.” “ In fact, some studies have even explored the effect of Reiki on patients who are undergoing cancer treatment concurrently. These studies have found that, although Reiki is not a substitute for other cancer treatments, it may enhance these treatments and offer a number of benefits to patients as they deal with the symptoms and stresses of cancer.” (How Reiki Helps Cancer Patients, www.iarp.org ) The benefits of a regular Reiki practice can be experienced physically, mentally/emotionally and energetically.

Physically:

• Reduces muscular tension in the body
• Strengthens the immune system
• Supports healing after injury or surgery – even speeding up recovery time
• Reduces perception of aches and pain
• Reduces nausea and vomiting post chemo treatment
• Elicits the relaxation response, resulting in
• Lowered blood pressure
• Lowered heart rate
• Slower breathing rate
• Slower brain wave patterns
• Reduces fatigue
• Improves sleeping
• Reduces headaches

Mentally/Emotionally:

• Reduces stress
• Reduces anxiety
• Alleviates depression
• Allows us to experience deeper states of calm and inner peace
• Quiets mental chatter

Energetically:

• Balances the chakras (energy centers in the body)
• Helps evenly distribute energy (chi, prana) through the body bringing it back to balance
• Allows us to feel deeply rested and relaxed, restoring energy to the body

Please know that Reiki is not a cure, nor is it a replacement for professional medical care. Rather, it supports your healing process, and can be used in conjunction with whatever medical or therapeutic care you are undergoing as a complementary practice.

To experience the many and varied benefits of Reiki, regular sessions are encouraged. While you may feel its wonderful effects after one session, for true, lasting benefits it’s ideal to make it a part of your regular wellness routine.

Reiki sessions can range in length from 20 minutes (think a quick Reiki tune-up) to 90 minutes, even two hours, depending on the practitioner and the needs of the receiver. I offer 60-75 minute sessions, which I feel gives you a nice chunk of time to focus on yourself, and it gives your body time to shift from “on”, “go”, “active” mode to “off”, “relaxed”, “receptive” mode. Plus, it gives me enough time to focus on your needs fully.

I think it’s super important to find time that is solely for you and to focus on your well-being. Not only will Reiki benefit you, but its effects will ripple out into your day-to-day interactions with everything and everyone around you, promoting a more mindful, balanced way to approach life.

Here are a couple of studies to take a peek at if you are interested:
Immediate Symptom Relief After a First Session of Massage Therapy or Reiki in Hospitalized Patients: A 5-Year Clinical Experience from a Rural Academic Medical Center - PubMed (nih.gov)

Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy - PMC (nih.gov)

Click here to learn more about Reiki and to contact me about Reiki sessions.