Reiki Massage: Do They Work

Can you really call something a massage if the masseuse never actually touches you?  What if the masseuse lays hands on you, but doesn’t actually knead, rub, slap or otherwise manipulate your body?  Is that really a massage?

While those of us who are more accustomed to the kind of beating delivered to us in the steam rooms by a muscle-bound masseuse might not think this super-gentle methodology qualifies as massage, there are those who’ll tell you otherwise.  Fans and practitioners of Reiki massage don’t believe in oil rubdowns, that awkward moment when your towel slips a tiny lower than you might anticipate or that just-whipped feeling that often follows a massage for the rest of us.

Reiki massage came to the western public’s attention, but it goes back a lot longer than that.  In fact, it probably has a 2,000 year history.  Depending on who you ask, Reiki started in either Tibet or Japan.  Regardless of which origin story you believe, there’s tiny doubt that it’s been practiced within many parts of Asia for hundreds of years.

Regular massage is all about manipulating muscles to create  sense of relaxation and to alleviate tension caused by stress or injury.  Reiki massage is an effort to direct essential energy flow so that the body can behave as it should, in a natural pain and disease-free manner.

If you get a Reiki massage, don’t bother stripping down and looking for a towel.  The procedure is generally performed while you’re fully clothed.  If you’re feeling particularly modest (or you’re just too tender for words) many Reiki practitioners claim they can direct chakra energy by hovering their hands over key body spots, never making any contact with the individual receiving the “massage” at all.

Not each Reiki practitioner operates that way, though.  There are those who come from a more traditional massage or physical therapy background.  They might opt to combine Reiki principles with a gently massage that’s more consistent with most people’s expectations.

If you’re interested in a Reiki massage, go into the process for the right reasons.  If it’s all about curiosity or something you want to do to establish a point, skip the session.  Reiki gurus will tell you that the process doesn’t work unless the recipient of the massage is absolutely open ot the intent and is ready to receive the positive energies and guidance of the Reiki master.

In the end, the question of whether Reiki fits with the standard interpretation of a massage is really of secondary importance.  It has a long track record and a number of adherents who absolutely believe in the capability to improve one’s life by “fixing” the circulation of life energy throughout your system.

Here is some more information on massage therapy and on health insurance.