I am sure that all of you have experieced the sense of relaxation, comfort and mobility of your joints after having a good massage. Often we ourself massage an area of our body, that is causing us discomfort.

Reiki and massage are two different healing modalities, both in intention and in practice.

Reiki is a spiritual healing system. Reiki is intended to affect the energy fields or 'auras' around the human body.

Massage therapy deals with only physical healing. It is more of a 'manipulative system' for the physical body and is not directed at the auras.

There is nothing like a good massage or a good Reiki healing session, and now it’s even possible to receive both at the same time! More and more massage therapists are practicing Reiki these days—and for good reason. Both are very therapeutic in their own way.

Massage therapy helps relax the muscles through the manipulation of soft tissue. Everyone who’s ever had a good massage knows how wonderful and relaxing they feel. Not just during the massage session itself, but afterwards as well.

Reiki, of course, means “universal life force energy.” Reiki can only be passed down from a R master to student. While massage therapists attend school to study massage therapy, a Reiki student must become “attuned” by a Master healer.

Some massage therapy schools are now bringing in Reiki teachers to attune the students to those methods now, as the demand for massage therapy and Reiki both is increasing everyday.

It’s wonderful enough to feel the benefits of each, let alone both. Having your massage therapist use Reiki on you will help you to heal mind, body, and soul.

Reiki channels “life force” energy from the Universe. It’s believed that if the body’s life force is out of balance, then a person can experience tiredness and illness.

Reiki will help “heal” the body’s energy so that the person can feel better. A Reiki practitioner will act as a conduit for the universal life energy and will transfer it to the patient, thus “healing” them.

Massage therapists and Reiki practitioners both must learn certain hand placements. Hand placement is very important when giving patients therapy sessions.

A massage therapist who practices Reiki can transfer good energy into the patient during the massage. They can also trace important Reiki symbols over the body with their hands while giving a massage. This will increase the patient’s chance to feel both relaxation and healing.

Of course there are some who don’t believe in the benefits of Reiki, and consider it nothing more than the “placebo effect.”

Because of this, there is a lot of controversy as to whether it should be taught in massage therapy schools or not. But many patients enjoy receiving Reiki in addition to their massages, so some schools are finding it to be their best interests to teach the students Reiki.

Reiki practitioners who don’t have any formal massage therapy training can still try giving their friends, loved ones, and pets massages.

Placing the hands on the body and allowing universal life energy to come through can really help those who are in need of healing and relaxation. Receiving both a massage and Reiki is a truly enjoyable, wonderful experience.