In states that do not explicitly exempt Reiki from the jurisdiction of the Massage Board, Reiki sometimes draws the ire of people who prefer it to be regulated. The reasons can range from conservative religious groups looking for ways to minimize the proliferation of alternative spirituality, to massage therapists wanting to eliminate competition from those with less formal training, to a misunderstanding of what Reiki really is. I offer this article as a starting point for people trying to understand the differences between Reiki and Massage.
This list also serves as a starting point for anyone creating a petition targeting the definition of massage for a particular state. (Be sure to check the actual definition of your state when writing that request.) In a world of increased regulation, it is important to practice Reiki responsibly and freely.
The “Rei” in Reiki means “universal” or “spiritual”, and the “ki” corresponds to the “life force energy” known as “Chi” or “prana” in other oriental systems of healing and energy work such as feng . shui, tai chi, qigong or yoga. Therefore, Reiki refers to “universal life force energy”, “divinely directed healing energy” or “life energy of a spiritual nature”, with an emphasis on the subtle energy fields rather than the physical body. For the following reasons, we do not believe that Reiki meets the legal definition of massage:
1) Massage is primarily physical, but Reiki works with subtle energy fields that surround the body. Although some masseurs can harness the energy of Reiki while massaging, a traditional Reiki treatment involves 11 to 14 stationary, pressure-free positions, held for 3 to 5 minutes each. While massage involves manipulation of tissue, Reiki requires only a light, non-invasive touch or no touch at all. Reiki Level 2 students learn to perform Reiki treatments from a distance without requiring physical proximity to someone, but it would be impossible to give a massage without a body in the same room. Reiki is similar to “spiritual laying on of hands” or “healing prayer”, rather than a massage modality or technique.
2) To provide an effective massage, masseurs need knowledge of anatomy and physiology, along with various massage movements such as “Effleurage”, “Petrissage”, “Tapotement”, etc. Rather, Reiki students learn that the universal life force has an innate intelligence and knows where to go. Reiki practitioners do not manipulate the body or direct energy with force during a Reiki treatment. To practice Reiki, practitioners must receive an attunement or initiation from a Certified Reiki Master. Attunement opens the students’ own natural energy channels, allowing Reiki energy to flow through their hands. Traditional Reiki hand positions and any other Reiki process do not require massage education to be effective.
3) In addition to the differences mentioned above, the preparations for receiving Reiki or massages are different. Before receiving a massage, most patients undress and then rub lotions on their naked or semi-naked body, wrapped under a sheet. In contrast, Reiki recipients always remain clothed and Reiki treatments do not involve the use of lotions or creams.
4) The American Cancer Association makes a distinction between massage and Reiki when recommending complementary therapies. According to the ACA, “Manipulating a bone in an area of cancer metastasis could result in a bone fracture. Also, people who have received radiation may find that even a light touch to the treatment area is uncomfortable … People receiving radiation Treatment should not have lotion or oil on areas where radiation was used Even without radiation treatment, some people have allergic reactions to the oils used during massage … Another concern for people with cancer is that manipulating tissues in the area of A tumor could increase the risk of cancer cells traveling to other parts of the body It may be prudent for cancer patients to avoid massage near tumors and lumps that may be cancerous until this question is clearly answered. ” In contrast, the ACA considers Reiki to be a “safe” treatment for cancer patients, noting that “Reiki involves very light touch or no touch.”
5) The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health lists Reiki under “Energy Therapies”, which are “intended to affect the energy fields that surround and penetrate the human body.” As defined by the NCCAM, “Reiki is based on the belief that by channeling spiritual energy through the practitioner, the spirit heals and, in turn, heals the physical body.” Massage is listed in a clearly separate category, namely “manipulative and body-based methods”, which NCCAM defines as “methods that are based on manipulation and / or movement of the body”, where ” masseurs manipulate the soft tissues of the body to normalize those tissues. “
6) At least twenty US states explicitly exempt Reiki from massage regulation.