Reiki: An Introduction

As a component of Mind, Body and Spirit wellness, WPC embraces holistic health care. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health, has released a fact sheet entitled Reiki: An Introduction. As defined therein, Reiki is a healing practice that originated in Japan. Reiki practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above the person receiving treatment, with the goal of facilitating the person's own healing response. In the United States, Reiki is part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Following are the Reiki Key Points as stated in the "public domain" document.

• People use Reiki to promote overall health and well-being. Reiki is also used by people who are seeking relief from disease-related symptoms and the side effects of conventional medical treatments.
• Reiki has historically been practiced as a form of self-care. Increasingly, it is also provided by health care professionals in a variety of clinical settings.
• People do not need a special background to learn how to perform Reiki. Currently, training and certification for Reiki practitioners are not formally regulated.
• Scientific research is under way to learn more about how Reiki may work, its possible effects on health, and diseases and conditions for which it may be helpful.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The complete fact sheet can be accessed and downloaded in PDF at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/ .