Reiki is a natural technique developed by Dr. Mikao Usui in the early 20th century to promote relaxation and healing. Many hospitals and hospices offer Reiki as a complementary part of traditional medical treatments for a variety of illnesses. Practitioners use Reiki to increase the efficacy of these treatments, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Patients treated with Reiki may experience mild side effects, including flushing of the face.
Reiki
The term Reiki originates from the Japanese terms "rei," which means universal, and "ki," which means life force energy. A Reiki practitioner helps to access a universal source of energy and acts as a conduit between this energy and you, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Reiki treatments usually last from 30 to 90 minutes, during which a patient lies on a table fully clothed while a practitioner places his hands over locations on or just above the patient's body, called chakras. The treatments are used to promote deep relaxation, stimulate the immune system, detoxify the body and help to relieve pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Flushing of the Face
Flushing or reddening of the skin on the face occurs after experiencing a strong emotion or can result from certain medical conditions, according to MedlinePlus. Emotions such as embarrassment, anger, anxiety and guilt cause the body to release the hormone adrenaline. Adrenaline leads to the expansion of the blood vessels in the face, causing the reddening of the skin, according to Wellness.com. Exposure of the skin to hot or cold temperatures can also lead to flushing of the face. Depending on the patient, Reiki treatment may either increase or decrease facial redness.
Effects of Reiki
Patients receiving Reiki treatments for a stress-related illness may experience a decrease in flushing of the face. Flushing of the face results from stress and strong emotions and subsides when a patient is calm. Reiki promotes a sense of peace, relieves tension and helps to dissolve energy blockages, according to the Cleveland Clinic, all of which can relieve facial flushing. Alternately, patients receiving Reiki treatments may experience tingling, heat and pulsing at the site of the practitioner's touch, which can move to other locations in the body. Because exposure to heat can lead to flushing of the face, Reiki may lead to increased redness of the face for certain patients.
Considerations
Because Reiki is used as a complementary treatment to illnesses such as cancer or inflammatory conditions, a patient may experience flushing of the face as a result of the medications given to treat these diseases, not the Reiki sessions. These medications include tamoxifen, systemic steroids and morphine, which can cause facial redness, according to Wellness.com. Reiki is a complement to traditional medical treatment, not a substitute. Seek the advice of your physician before starting Reiki treatments or if you experience flushing of the face during treatment. Facial flushing can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition or allergy that may require treatment.
References
- MedlinePlus: Skin Blushing/Flushing
- Wellness.com: Facial Flushing
- The International Center for Reiki Training: What Is Reiki?
- Cleveland Clinic: Reiki Therapy
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Reiki -- An Introduction
- Taline Bedakelia Reiki Master: FAQS
- Cleveland Clinic: Integrative Medicine
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