In this month's feature I'm looking at the wonderful healing energy treatment of Reiki.
Reiki is pronounced 'ray key' - and not 'rie key' - as it's name may suggest. Although it is thought that Reiki was used thousands of years ago by the Tibetan Buddhist monks, it was not developed as a healing system until the beginning of the 1900s. So compared to other treatments such as acupuncture or Indian head massage whose widespread use is deep rooted in history it can be said to be 'the new kid on the complementary health block'.
The word Reiki means 'universal life energy' and it is a system of natural healing using the energy or life force around us to heal. The energy is channelled through the therapists' hands into the person she is working on and goes to where it is needed. Here it will kick start the body's own healing powers and can help promote healing of both mental and physical ailments as well as providing complete relaxation. The underlying principle of this treatment is that pain, disease and illness are caused by our energy channels or meridians becoming blocked and therefore out of harmony. Reiki works to unblock the channels so the energy can free flow through them once again - a kind of spiritual plumbing if you like! So let's get down to the facts and explain what a Reiki treatment involves. You are fully clothed to receive Reiki and would normally have the treatment lying on a couch with a blanket over you although it can be taken in a chair if preferred. Most treatments start on the front of the body and work from the head downwards. The therapist will gently lay her hands on set parts of your body - keeping the position for around three minutes at each point - enough time to get the energy flowing. Standard positions cover the head, ears, face, top of chest, stomach, shoulders and back. Some therapists will also cover the limbs although this isn't strictly necessary as the energy will travel down them anyway. The treatment is gentle and reassuring and above all extremely relaxing. Most people will find themselves nodding off and the peaceful state you find yourself in is exceptional. You may feel a number of sensations during the treatment - all of which are nice! Warmth from the therapists' hands is most likely although you may also experience cold or tingling sensations. Following a treatment, which is normally one hour, you will feel calm, restored and with a greater feeling of well-being. Reiki can be taken as often as you like as it is a completely natural treatment. One treatment a month will keep your body's own healing system well maintained and you will notice that you are feeling generally better and happier with life. Another great thing about Reiki is that it is quick and simple to learn so you can practise on friends and family - and even yourself. Many holistic centres will offer Reiki 1 workshops - check out Renaissance in Harborne and the Meridian School of Natural Therapies in Northfield for courses. In today's society we are more than happy to take a pill for our headache or our stomach ache but not so prepared to seek out more natural and gentle methods such as Reiki to do the job for us. And yes there is the question of convenience. The probability of having a packet of Anadin handy in our bathroom cabinet is a tad higher than having access to a Reiki practitioner as the pain strikes! But not so if you find yourself a therapist you are happy with - or better still - if you learn it yourself. You will then have your own portable medicine cabinet with you always! | 
