Written by: Melissa Marie Lopez, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
You have done your research and connected with a Reiki provider. Now what? Taking the next step to receive your first Reiki treatment may come with a few questions and even a little anxiety. However, there is no need to worry; Reiki is a safe and effective treatment for wellness in mind, body, and spirit.
Tips for Making Your First Experience a Great One
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Your Reiki practitioner will likely have a brief intake and consent form that you will need to fill out.
Go to the bathroom before heading back to the treatment room. (The last thing you want is to be unable to relax because your bladder is calling)
Expect to have at least a brief conversation with your practitioner about your current concerns, needs, and expectations for the session.
Reiki can be performed either seated or laying down; however, most often, you should expect to have a comfortable massage-type table to lay down on, face up. You may or may not have a pillow, bolster under your knees, and/or be covered with a blanket
Before getting on the table, you will most likely be asked to remove your shoes and possibly your socks, but otherwise, expect to remain fully clothed during the treatment.
Some practitioners, like myself, may also utilize a range of holistic healing tools such as crystals, sage, singing bowls, wands, essential oils, and more; please let your practitioner know if you have any allergies or prefer not to use a particular tool.
Oftentimes, the provider will ask during the intake process whether you prefer "hands-on" or "hands-off" Reiki and whether there are any places you prefer not to be touched. If they do not, please do not hesitate to let them know, rather than put yourself and the provider in an uncomfortable position.
The Reiki session will begin at your head and generally end at your feet. Once the practitioner has finished with the front side of your body, the session is often concluded. However, in some cases, the provider may ask you to flip over so they can also work the back side of your body. Given the highly relaxed state you are in, many providers opt out of flipping the client over, and this does not reduce the efficacy of the session. If you have a preference to receive Reiki on both sides of your body, please inform your practitioner during the intake process.
During your Reiki session, you may find yourself drifting off to sleep; enjoy the experience. It is said that 1 hour of Reiki is equivalent to 8 hours of sleep, so take advantage of the opportunity to rest, relax, and reset.
During your Reiki session, you may experience visualizations, dreams, or other unique thoughts and feelings; gently become aware of them but do not let them distract you from relaxation.
Twitches and other involuntary body movements are normal as negative energy moves out of your energetic body; do not be startled; it is perfectly normal.
When the Reiki session is over, your practitioner will gently urge you to come back to the room if you have drifted off and to gently open your eyes. Take a few deep cleansing breaths and enjoy the feelings of lightness and bliss.
The practitioner may or may not share their experience with you, and you are invited to do the same if you feel called to do so.
When the session is concluded, clients often wonder whether to tip their practitioner. Tipping is customary in the service industry based on the quality of service you received; however, you are not required to tip, and in some cases of alternative energy exchange (trade, for example), tipping would not necessarily apply.
Reiki Session Post-Care Instructions
Immediately following any Reiki session, whether over a distance or in person, you should take time to enjoy your deep state of relaxation before slowly coming back into full awareness. You may be too relaxed to drive, so allow 20 minutes to be fully awake before driving.
Many clients go so deep into relaxation that they "forget" or "leave" the present state. You may experience slight disorientation ("floaty" feeling) when returning to the present moment, especially if you experienced theta brainwaves (deep meditation) during your session. Take a few minutes to collect yourself before getting off the table because this will help ensure you are firmly anchored in the present time. After any session, it is advisable to go home and relax because this ensures the maximum benefit from the treatment.
As the Reiki energy continues to work in your body and re-balance your energy, expect your body to detoxify. If your body is releasing toxins into your bloodstream faster than they can be processed, it may trigger detoxification symptoms; this is temporary and should not last longer than 24 hours as your body adjusts itself back into balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water to assist the detoxification process.
Awareness is also a vital component of wellness. Observe any changes in energy, mood, feelings, memories, thoughts, behaviors, reactions, etc. Often, holistic healing treatments such as Reiki bring deep, underlying issues to the surface if you are paying attention. This will help you identify the true root cause of your issue(s) and symptoms. If you clear up the emotional, mental, or energetic root cause(s) behind your issue(s), you will no longer have the physical symptoms, and they will not return. Holistic healing treatments like Reiki reinforce your ability to take responsibility for your own life and help you to make the necessary changes in attitude and lifestyle to promote a happy, healthy life.
How Often Should I Receive a Reiki Healing Session?
Know that the effects of Reiki build and gather momentum over time; therefore, it is advised to receive a treatment every 4-8 weeks to initiate the healing process. This is usually enough to produce a significant change without the need for regular sessions, although many clients do choose to receive monthly sessions for the deep relaxation that the treatment provides.
Some long-standing conditions may require repeat treatments, and it may take a few sessions for you to notice significant improvement. While it is possible for an immediate positive response, you should not expect an instantaneous change for long-standing conditions. For serious, chronic, or long-standing conditions, regular weekly sessions are recommended before transitioning to a 4-8-week maintenance plan.
Enjoy the benefits the gift of Reiki has brought into your life!
Melissa Marie Lopez, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Since 2020, Melissa has been the driving force behind the growth of the New Mexico Doula Association (NMDA) as its first Executive Director. As a vital community-based organization for doulas across New Mexico, NMDA has become a champion in the birth and reproductive justice movements. Melissa has worked tirelessly to create policies and systemic changes that protect reproductive health and minimize maternal morbidity, specifically for black and indigenous, LGBTQ, Transgender, and other communities. Her dedication to these causes has resulted in significant grant funding, and she has fostered productive partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and government officials.
Her passion for birth and reproductive justice is what drives her to create positive change in her community. Melissa's reputation as an innovative and solutions-focused Executive Director is well-deserved, given her stellar background in healthcare and holistic wellness, and her proven record of building organizations from the ground up. But Melissa's passion for community work doesn't end with her role at NMDA. As the Founder/GM of Las Cruces Doula, LLC, Melissa and her collective of providers offer the full spectrum of doula services and lactation support, incorporating traditional and evidence-based approaches to care.
