About Reiki Treatments

Finding a Reiki practitioner with whom you feel comfortable is a personal process. You need to decide whether they are right for you. We offer the following guidance to help you and so that you know what to expect during a treatment.

Please remember that membership of The Reiki Association is not an accreditation to practice, although a condition of membership is to abide by our Code of Ethics.

WHAT TRAINING WILL THE PRACTITIONER HAVE RECEIVED?
Any Reiki practitioner will have done at least First Degree Reiki. There is at present no standardized training for becoming a professional practitioner, and a 'good' practitioner is not necessarily the one with the highest Degree or level of training. It is important that they use Reiki on a regular basis, including treating themselves. Reik is believed to become stronger the more you use it, so a First Degree practitioner who uses Reiki daily may give a stronger treatment than a master who does not use Reiki regularly.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A PRACTITIONER?
Have a chat with the practitioner before you book a session. Ask about their own journey with Reiki. How long have they been doing Reiki? Why were they drawn to do it? Who did they learn with? You could also talk to others who have had a Reiki session with the practitioner. But ultimately trust your own heart. If you feel happy with the practitioner after your chat, book a session. If you are not completely comfortable then try someone else. Practitioners should do their best to make a Reiki treatment a comfortable experience. Trust your intuition and, if you don't feel at ease with the practitioner, don't be afraid to look further.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A TREATMENT?
The practitioner will usually give a short explanation of what the treatment involves (if none is offered, don't be afraid to enquire). You may be asked some details, including a brief medical history. You will be asked to lie down (or sit if this is easier for you) but will not be asked to remove any clothing except for things which could restrict your breathing or comfort, such as shoes or spectacles. Reiki will go through clothing, blankets, or even a plaster cast if necessary!

Treatment is given by the practitioner placing their hands gently on your body in a pre-determined sequence of hand positions, spending several minutes holding each position. These hand positions are non-intrusive and cover both the front and back of the body and are sometimes varied to give Reiki to areas where it is specifically needed. If you find any of the hand positions uncomfortable please tell the practitioner. The touch should be gentle, light and comfortable; there is no massage or manipulation. You may feel sensations such as heat, tingling, coolness or throbbing under the practitioners' hands or in other parts of your body, or you may feel very little. Many people experience a sense of well being and relaxation, or fall asleep; sometimes a treatment is energizing. There is no right or wrong way to experience Reiki. The treatment will normally last at least 1 hour.

WILL THE PRACTITIONER DIAGNOSE WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?
Reiki practitioners are not trained in diagnosis and will not offer any diagnosis or prognosis. If you are concerned about symptoms you should see your GP.

HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER THE TREATMENT?
Most people feel relaxed and at peace after a Reiki treatment. You may feel tired but equally you may feel full of energy. Reiki can also stir up emotions as part of the healing process and some people experience what is known as a healing reaction, such as headache or flu-like symptoms, which are normally of short duration. If you are concerned about a reaction to a treatment talk to your practitioner.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
This varies from person to person. In general most problems will take time - healing is a process rather than an event. Acute problems generally heal faster than chronic ones and if your problem is of long standing it may require treatments over a longer period of time. Your practitioner may suggest a number of treatments close together or 4 treatments on consecutive days. However you should feel free to make the decision about the spacing of treatments yourself. You are ultimately responsible for your own health and well being.

HOW MUCH WILL A TREATMENT COST?
The cost of Reiki treatments is usually comparable to other complementary therapies (such as Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy) in your area. Some Reiki practitioners are happy to be flexible about the fee and some may be willing to discuss other forms of energy exchange (or barter). What is important to Reiki practitioners is that something is given in exchange for the treatment.

We wish you well on your journey with Reiki.