What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a word that means Universal Life Force Energy. Reiki is many things to many people.

Relaxing - Deeply relaxing. It is thought that a relaxed body can heal itself. Think about when you are sick. What advice is often given? Rest! Reiki can be used to relax patients before going into surgery. Patients, in turn, may require less anesthesia and have less blood loss during surgery. After surgery, patients may awaken from anesthesia faster and more clear-headed.
Healing and Harmless - Reiki heals for the greatest good. It heals* on all levels: emotional, mental, spiritual, and, yes, a physical level. But a Reiki practitioner should not tell you that any physical condition you have will be cured with Reiki. Reiki will give you what you need to deal with your condition.
Gentle - A practitioner gives a Reiki treatment by placing his or her hands on, or slightly above, various parts of the client's body. There is no tissue manipulation such as with a massage. However, some Reiki practitioners are versed in other alternative healing methods, and will ask you if you would like any of these methods used during your session.
Complimentary - Reiki is not a substitute for allopathic medicine. Continue to see your medical doctor. Reiki works with any medications you are currently taking, reducing their side-effects, and will help you with any procedures you may need to undergo.

Basically, Reiki is a Japanese system of healing in which energy passes through the hands of the practitioner to the client through a series of gentle touches along the client's body. The client remains fully clothed during a session and may even have some sheets and/or blankets available to keep warm. Reiki passes through bandages and casts and can be given while lying down on a massage table, in a hospital bed, or sitting in a chair.