reiki alone or in combination

[peter]

I'm curious (I suppose this could be a poll, but I'm not sure how to post a poll)

do you give reiki only treatments? or do you combine reiki energy with other bodywork and what kind? If you do both, approximately how many of your clients request reiki only?

 

[dumbo]

Both, it just depends on what the needs of the client are, and what the situation seems to call for.

 

[Kristen]

I think I've only ever done one professional reiki-only treatment in my life. Uhh even that had some polarity in there.

After we got to polarity in school, I was never inclined/required not to do it with reiki. I can't imagine!

 

[Markus]

I have never done a reiki only session nor have I been asked for a reiki only session. But it does get incorporated into my massages and CranioSacral treatments.

 

[Tanner R]

I incorporate reiki in all my massages, by hand OR by foot! Yes, energy does stream out of my feet chakras although not to the extent that it comes out my palms. At least not yet!

I did reiki for years before I ever considered training as an MT, so I have done several reiki only sessions. Once I became a CMT, massage was by far the preferred modality. Now I find I go in spurts, with a few hours here and there of reiki only. Just two weeks ago I sold my first ever reiki package, prepay 5 and get the 6th for free. I've sold my many massage packages but this was my first reiki only package.

Reiki is becoming more well known and it seems like more people want to try it. I think that's great!

 

[sweethoney785]

I have had clients who wanted only reiki sessions. Actually more want this than a directed combo massage/reiki (although you always get a little reiki during a massage with me).

Still by far my clients are massage clients and that is ok by me too.

 

[Life In Technicolor]

I sometimes do Reiki alone or with massage if the client agrees. But I find myself blending Reiki automatically,just from instinct -lately I guess due to the Summer and depression (at least in my clientele),all I have been doing is Reiki. I have done 10 Reiki sessions in the last 2 weeks! I love it and use it all the time to keep me protected and I must say it works!!

Johnny

 

[Eleni]

thanks everyone

thanks for your replies. I suppose as you get used to using reiki that it just sort of automatically becomes a part of bodywork you do. I guess too, intention has a lot to do with it as well. When I do massage I have yet to notice much reiki energy. I think I'm concentrating on massage techniques, being technically a student still, more than giving attention to reiki energy.

I also have not received a reiki only treatment either. I may do that with the reiki master I learned from. She only does reiki. I also did have a massage in the spring with someone who incorporated it in with her massage which was very interesting to me.

again thanks, this is a great place to "talk" to others!

 

[KEELEY]

Reiki, when?

As a Registered Nurse (and Reiki II, and Massage Therapy in my repertoire), I incorporate Reiki into my practice. When I have a patient who I think might be receptive and "in need" of Reiki, I usually fit it in silently.
I don't believe it is necessary to ask their permission. Reiki will do no harm.

epi_nephrin

 

[Voobly]

I understand if reiki gets mixed in with a regular massage in a default sort of way by those who are trained in it, but I once went for a swedish relaxation massage and got a bunch of energy work thrown in without being asked and I didn't like it at all. Not saying that I wouldn't like it if I'd asked for it, but when I experienced the reiki it felt violating to me because I had not been told it was going to be part of the session and I experienced definite hot/cold sensations from it. Also, it was the first (and last) time I've experienced energy work, at least to my knowledge.

I would have appreciated being given the chance to give the verbal go ahead if it was something the therapist intended to include in my session.
When I experienced the reiki the therapist kind of chuckled and said, "oh, yeah," though I was caught off gaurd and disturbed by what was happening in my body...being that it was not expected.

 

[aaron 27]

but I once went for a swedish relaxation massage and got a bunch of energy work thrown in without being asked and I didn't like it at all.

that's interesting. The massage I received in the spring was very similar. I asked specifically for a swedish massage and received lots of energy work. Although I liked the energy work I was a bit perturbed that I didn't get what I asked for. Its not as though it (Swedish)wasn't in her menu. I learned from that, that its important to actually provide the service your client has requested.

 

[Jack Meoff]

I understand if reiki gets mixed in with a regular massage in a default sort of way by those who are trained in it, but I once went for a swedish relaxation massage and got a bunch of energy work thrown in without being asked and I didn't like it at all. Not saying that I wouldn't like it if I'd asked for it, but when I experienced the reiki it felt violating to me because I had not been told it was going to be part of the session and I experienced definite hot/cold sensations from it. Also, it was the first (and last) time I've experienced energy work, at least to my knowledge.

I strongly encourage practitioners to get informed consent for energy work, and give the treatment that has been requested. A friend of mine has commented that it is hard to find an energy-aware MT who is able to keep their energy to themselves.

Aside from the nonconsentuality being potentially violating, I disagree that reiki will do no harm. Because of the way reiki is taught, there are a wide variety of techniques that practitioners use. My Reiki III teacher taught us to use "psychic surgery" to remove emotional blockages during treatments. This definitely requires consent. Passively letting energy flow into someone is fairly benign, but things like chakra balancing/opening can have physical and psychological repercussions. In particular, I have found that reiki can trigger cathartic states in individuals with PTSD, severe dissociative conditions or MPD. Yes, this can be part of the healing process, but it isn't something you want to bring someone into without warning.

Also, my partner has Tourette's and a non-epileptic seizure condition, and a strong influx of energy (reiki or whatever) will reliably give him a seizure. Large quartz crystals held near his body (especially his head) also give him tics and seizures.

I remember seeing an article recently in one of the big massage magazines where various practitioners talked about this issue of consent for bodywork or other energy-based modalities. (I can't recall the magazine offhand. It is the monthly roundtable feature that has a large cartoon of two ladies chatting on a massage table...) The article was fairly dismissive of energy work, but it raised good issues about giving the client the treatment they requested and making it clear to them what it is you offer.

-- Joshua

 

[hb :)]

Reiki and Massage

I'm a Reiki II practioner and a hoping to graduate soon student of massge. I use energy therapy (Reiki) and breathing techiques in all massages that I give. I have found that a client's body will take the energy if it is offered. I have had comments from clients that they have never felt so relaxed.

 

[The Nomad Think Tank]

Whenever we interact with another person, animal, or plant there is an exchange of energy. When one is attuned to Reiki, the level of that exchange is increased. This is just one of the reasons why Reiki is a wonderful compliment to whatever profession we have. It is also the reason why Reiki practitioners must accept responsibility for the exchange of their energy.

When Reiki is applied following the guidlines set forth by Reiki, it will do no harm. One of those guidelines is to ALWAYS gain permission by the recipient before treatment.

I personally feel that any form of work done with intent, including energy work, should have consent from the recipient. When Reiki is shared between 2 people, a connection is forged that is extremely intimate and can go beyond the intimacy of working on someone who has removed their clothes. When clients open themselves to energy work, they place themselves in a very open position which implies a certain vulnerability. This should be approached by the practitioner with respect and great humility.

I never gave the presence of energy work during massage much thought until one day a client came to me and asked if I could do a massage without "all that Reiki stuff". At first I was a bit shocked, then a split second later wondered if I actually could do massage without the presence of Reiki. The answer I gave was "I could perform the massage setting that intent". I then shared with my client my perplexion towards the question, that no one had ever asked that before and wondered why she did ask it. She explained to me that Reiki was against her religion.

At that instant I processed several emotions, none of them constructive. I chose to simply accept her answer and left it at that. Several weeks later I had a chance to discuss the situation with my client in a more objective manner. It ended up that my client had several misperceptions of what Reiki is. After explaining to my client what Reiki was really about, I agreed to continue massage with them without Reiki.

I came to realize that no matter how benign I believe Reiki is, others may have different perceptions. If I do not respect the perceptions of my clients, I am not doing my job as a therapist. I believe a client should be informed, and consent given before any energy work is performed on a conscious level. I state conscious because we are always sharing energy in different ways on subconscious levels. That is fodder for different post.

In Peace and Light

Gerry

 

[Olivia]

Thanks to all who have posted on this. I have a Reiki I and have been asked about this by some clients, as to what it is and how it works. I am of the oppinion that there is an energy exchange in every situation, wether it's body work or an exchange at a cash register at the super market.

I fully agree that informed consent in any healing situation is important and seeing the posts has re-opened my eyes as to why, including intentional energy work.

My clients are a little surprised and definately appreciative when I explain a little further by opening an anatomy book or other informative venue as to what's going on with their bodies. It really bugs me when a client walks in with some new diagnosis that their Dr. didn't take the time to explain. :irked: I feel that it is our responsibility in this field to help our clients make informed choices, especially when others haven't. But only to the point of our knowledge. If you don't know, say so! But always be willing to find out.