| The practice was first created in the 20th century by | | | | the body. At the same time, some schools teach that |
| Mikao Usui. His followers said that after a few weeks | | | | the energy will enter the body through the spine. |
| of fasting, he acquired the ability to heal without losing | | | | According to the teachings of Reiki, the energy is |
| any of his energy. When Reiki is performed, the | | | | intelligent. It knows what must be done, and it knows |
| practitioners believe that by laying on of the hands, | | | | where the body needs it. It is also said that the |
| they will be able to access channels of energy. This | | | | recipient must accept energy if they want their bodies |
| energy is called "Ki." These practitioners say that they | | | | to absorb it. |
| will be given guidance by spirits that are called "Rei," | | | | During the typical Reiki treatment, the patient will be |
| and it is these two terms that give the practice its | | | | asked to lie down. Once they are lying down, they |
| name. | | | | must relax. It is the practitioner who will act as a |
| Since its introduction, Reiki has a gained a certain level | | | | channel for the energy, and this energy will be guided |
| of popularity in the United States. Statistics from 2002 | | | | towards the patient. The practitioner will do this by |
| show that over 1 million Americans used Reiki | | | | placing their hands near or on the body. It has been |
| treatments. The practice has receive controversy | | | | said that the patients will feel a number of sensations, |
| from the scientific and medical establishment, who | | | | and some of these are heat, pressure, or cold. |
| claim that there is no concrete evidence that the | | | | Adherents of Reiki say that these feelings are a result |
| treatments are effective. However, some doctors | | | | of the energy filling up areas of the body that are low |
| have said that it may have a placebo effect on those | | | | in energy. The energies will be open, and negativity will |
| who use it. The two characters that are used to | | | | be pulled out. |
| describe Reiki are Chinese, and are believed to define | | | | Despite the controversy that Reiki has caused in the |
| energy. Many people who use Reiki choose to use the | | | | medical establishment, a number of medical journals |
| expression spiritual healing instead of faith, because | | | | have confirmed that the treatments from Reiki have |
| they do not believe that faith is required in order for | | | | been useful. Some of the benefits of Reiki include a |
| the practice to work. | | | | lower heart rate, high levels of immunity, and relaxation. |
| Reiki has been broken down into a number of different | | | | In addition to this, the blood pressure rates of patients |
| schools. Some schools teach that the energy will enter | | | | were improved as well. Some reports have even |
| the body through what is called the 7th chakra. After | | | | found that mice infected with cancer cells were |
| this it will travel through the 4th chakra, and it will move | | | | treated successfully by Reiki. |
| through the hands, and from this point it will flow into | | | | |