What can Reiki treat?
Practitioners claim that Reiki can be used to relieve many of the stresses and strains of everyday life as well as bringing relief to those suffering from chronic illness. It can be used in combination with conventional medical treatment and other complementary therapies. Amongst the conditions that may benefit are:

• lasthma
• children's ailments
• depression
• jet lag
• migraine
• morning sickness, backache and other discomforts of pregnancy
• post-viral fatigue syndrome (ME)
• self-confidence
• sports injuries
• stress and exhaustion
• accelerating recovery after an operation

Life force energy is said to flow through every living thing along an energetic grid system. It is this energy that sustains life. As well as flowing through us, this energy is all around us. When we are healthy, positive and well, this energy flows freely. However, during particularly stressful periods in our lives, the tension we experience slows down or restricts this energy flow in various parts of the body, adversely affecting our well-being. The healing art of Reiki can help to restore health and harmony through an energising hands-on treatment which allows energy to flow freely around the body. Treatments are very relaxing. As well as relieving tension, it is not unusual to experience a powerful, deep sense of well-being.

Those who learn to become Reiki practitioners become 'attuned' to the energy. This part of the training is the key to Reiki. It refers to a series of procedures that greatly amplifies the flow of an individual's life force energy. After the attunements, each person becomes a channel for a far greater amount of this life force energy, which can be used for self-healing or healing others. Practitioners claim it is a gentle but effective form of treatment for many ailments and can improve not just physical but emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

Consultation and treatment
Consultation and treatment normally lasts about an hour and a half. Reaction to treatment varies considerably but the most common elements experienced are feelings of warmth and deep relaxation.

Treatments are usually given lying down, fully clothed on a therapy table. The hands of the practitioner are then placed very lightly on the recipient and moved to a number of different positions on both the front and the back of the body. In each position, the life force energy is transmitted through the practitioner to the person receiving the treatment. Through one or more sessions, restrictions in the person's energy flow are then gently broken down, releasing all tension and restoring balance and harmony once more.

Costs
Treatment usually costs about the same as a body massage, approximately '15 to '20 an hour. Concessions and reductions for a series of treatments are usually available.

Self-help
Reiki is ideal to use as an energising self-treatment. Self-treatment can be given anywhere at any time and can be a good way to restore depleted energy levels, counteract jet-lag and may well ward off a cold at the onset. It can simply involve sitting or lying down and placing lightly cupped hands over the area of discomfort for several minutes. However, those who receive treatment from a practitioner or take training for themselves will find that the energy throughput is likely to be more powerful.

How to find a practitioner
Treatment is available at complementary medicine centres and some holistic beauty therapy salons. Often, practitioners place cards or leaflets on notice boards in local health food shops. A personal recommendation is ideal. The Reiki Association keeps a register of its members in many parts of the UK. The Association is a networking organisation and membership does not imply minimum standards.

The first stage of training to become a Reiki practitioner takes just two days. There is a total of three levels to training but it is not necessary to take them all to become a Reiki practitioner. Once students take First Degree training, they can become members of the Reiki Association and can apply to be included on their practitioner list. Students learn how to treat themselves and others, to send distant healing to someone in a different place or country and finally, to become a Master.

To find a Reiki Master, contact The Reiki Association, The Reiki Alliance, the Guild of Complementary Practitioners or The Reiki School.

Precautions
There are certain occasions when the use of Reiki is not recommended. Do not use Reiki after a pre-operative anaesthetic has been given. Those suffering from epileptic seizures or mental illness should also not receive Reiki.

Reiki should not be performed over pacemakers or other artificial aids.