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Ready for Reiki?
Boost Your Health and Energy Levels
By Lisa A. Goldstein
This isn't a newfangled alternative treatment that was dreamed up in the 1960s or something that people are making up as they go along. "Reiki has its roots in ancient Tibet, most recently rediscovered in the 1800s by Dr. Mikao Usui of Japan," says Reiki practitioner Silandara Bartlett. "I think it's important to realize that it is a traditional Japanese healing modality – a harmless, ancient, healing practice."
Bartlett, 26, of Rochester, N.Y., says Reiki can be used to benefit physical, mental and emotional illnesses and imbalances. There are no side effects or downsides, according to Bartlett, and the benefits include "everything from a complete healing of whatever the imbalance was to simply feeling better with more energy," she says. "Practitioners usually play some type of soothing, meditative music, so if nothing else, the client gets to lie down and quiet their mind for an hour of their day. That's something we can all use."
Reiki is starting to become more mainstream, Milam says, who lists churches and synagogues as places that are using it. Many hospitals are incorporating Reiki into the operating room and chemotherapy centers, and clinical trials sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) are under way to examine its impact on certain illnesses.
One such hospital is Windber Medical Center in Windber, Pa., where registered nurse and Reiki Master Jean Brinker won over the staff. The doctors, nurses, ancillary staff and visitors were unsure at first, but once they 
had experiened a session, the staff began to recruit other staff members for Brinker. She worked on headaches, various types of pain, burns and stress-related ailments. Staff members reported pain relief and feelings of deep relaxation, peacefulness and calm. Because of Brinker's success with the staff, co-workers began to refer patients to her.
