Reiki is related to some practices of  Chinese Medicine,  Chi gong and other Holistic Medicine and modes.  Reiki is somewhat of a fusion of spiritual healing and some  traditional Asian medical,  spiritual and health practices.  The hand placements correspond  to some of those points used in Acupuncture and other practices but no needles,  pressure or  massage is used.
   
    Reiki flows through the practitioner but is not generated by the practitioner and does not  deplete the Reiki practitioners own energy supplies.  Advanced practitioners can do  treatments without physical contact.

   Mikao Usui Developed the Reiki Universal Healing Energy system  after years of study of a great variety of subjects.  He received the ability to heal with Reiki energy during a spiritual initiation after long fasting and meditation on one of Japan's  many sacred mountains.  

What does Reiki do?
   
    Reiki can help alleviate suffering,  whether it be of a  physical,  emotional,  mental or spiritual  nature.  This means that Reiki can heal.  This  statement is  not  a guarantee or a promise that someone will be relieved of any ailment  whatsoever with a single or with multiple Reiki treatments.  In most cases Reiki does enhance the effects of medical treatment when used in conjunction with it.  An underlying principle of Reiki is that it can do no harm and cannot be used for any harmful purpose.
When we speak of healing,  a well physical body may be the first thing that comes to mind.  However the root meaning of the word "Heal"   is whole.  The practice of healing is that of becoming whole on all levels of being, The physical,  emotional, mental,  and spiritual.

     Illness happens when the mind,  body and spirit become unbalanced.  True wellness is reached only by returning the entire being to harmony and balance.  Not only with itself but with the Earth and the Universe.  We begin healing by finding our desire to be well and whole.  Without the motivation to be well and the  intention to act in our own behalf we can not become well.  Reiki is a means to empowering us to become whole in all ways.
  
     Another purpose of Reiki is to help enhance personal and  spiritual evolution and to assist on the path to enlightenment. Reiki is not affiliated with any one spiritual path and will work for anyone.  Having Reiki does not guarantee enlightenment  either.
To get Reiki either means to receive Reiki treatment from a practitioner or to learn  to practice Reiki.  Reiki treatment may be received from any Reiki practitioner.

  Reiki treatment enhances the body's natural ability to heal itself. It increases vitality  and stamina, works throughout the body, on the mind, emotions, spiritual essence and aura. Reiki treatment releases blocked energy, promotes relaxation and reduces stress.   
    Reiki energy goes wherever needed in the body and aura.  It  helps to cleanse the body of toxins both energetic and physical and can over time, enhance stamina, intuition, meditation and spiritual evolution.    
    Reiki also works on plants, animals, and even machines and can be used in Earth healing   and has been used for treatment of world events. Reiki will work for you personally and is  also a tool you can use to help others.

    Reiki and other subtle healing energies are valuable tools for anyone whether they have  health,  emotional,  mental, or spiritual issues or simply want to empower their personal evolution.

    Many people like to get regular hands on Reiki treatments as a refreshing and  relaxing treat for themselves,  in the same way that they might get a massage or a facial,  a  guided visualization session or a mud bath.  Reiki can be a door to a higher part of your own  spiritual being.  Reiki treatment and practice can increase the flow of higher vibrations of  energy through your aura and into the physical body.

    Reiki energy works to harmonize, or  bring into balance,  the total you:  physical,  emotional,  mental and spiritual. You do have to  actively use Reiki or get treatments to receive its benefits.  Reiki treatment is available  from many Reiki practitioners. 

    The use of Reiki as a relaxation and stress reducing technique is becoming accepted and widespread.   In addition to its use in supporting treatment of illness and injury.  Reiki enhances other body work and healing techniques and sports performance as well as assisting with spiritual development.

    Science is reluctant to accept  the validity of energy work but double blind studies have often shown significant and  accelerated improvement from energy treatments of many different forms.  Kirilian and  aura photos also show significant changes before and after Reiki treatments.

    To learn to practice and share  Reiki  with others yourself,  you must receive  attunement from a Reiki Teacher.  You can learn to give Reiki treatments to yourself,  family and friends.  Animals,  plants etc. Some people use Reiki on appliances. The Reiki energy treats and energizes you even while you are treating others.

    Sometimes people have unreasonable expectations of Reiki both as clients and as practitioners.  Reiki does  not often confer an instant miraculous cure of any condition.  Reiki works with you to restore energetic balance and repair things like   blockages and tears in the energy field  which  create disease and unhappiness. This can take time.
    Mrs. Takata, who introduced Reiki to the West received treatment daily for months.  People often receive great benefit from a single treatment.  Conditions which have taken years to form and  manifest as disease  are likely to require consistent treatment  over a period of time. Certainly any Reiki treatment is good, even a single short one but for most the greatest effect comes from frequent treatment.  Practitioners are urged to self treat daily.
 
    While not be practical for a client to come daily for months as might have been done at Hayashi Sensei's clinic or for the practitioner to move in with a client for weeks or months as Mrs. Takata is said to have done on occasion.  A series of treatments is recommended for many conditions and often family members can receive attunement so that they may provide the treatment as needed.