Reiki is a form of alternative medicine developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui. Since its beginning in Japan, Reiki has been adapted across varying cultural traditions.
It uses a technique commonly called palm healing or hands-on-healing. Through the use of this technique, practitioners believe that they are transferring "universal energy" through the palms of the practitioner, which they believe encourages healing.
Reiki is based on chi which practitioners say is a universal life force and commonly used as a supplement to standard medical treatment.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing.
The treatment is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping many known illness and can work in conjunction with medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.