Stress has both physical and emotional effects and can create positive or negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action; it can result in a new awareness and an exciting new perspective. As a negative influence, it can result in illness. In fact studies have shown that the majority of disease and illness today can be attributed in whole or in part to stress. Although individuals have different levels of tolerance to stress, chronic stress will eventually wear down even the strongest of individuals. To attain good health it is important to manage stress and be able to relieve too much of it. It is best to take a natural approach, as it is something that should be incorporated into daily life and should not contribute to further ill health or negative symptoms as so many medications often do.

Reiki is a natural form of healing dating back thousands of years. The term Reiki translates to mean universal life energy and in its practice this energy is channeled through a practitioner to treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit with the effects being relaxation, feelings of peace, security and general well -being. Reiki does not involve any one-belief system and can therefore be ethically practiced by anyone. Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development though it is often described as a spiritual experience and some claim that that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion and that by healing from within they can be put in tune with a higher power. The technique is also simple to learn and has been taught to people of all backgrounds. The practice is not taught in the traditional sense however and is instead passed on to the student or client from the practitioner (teacher) in the form of attunements where the energy is passed on along with teaching the theories and placement of the hands.

The actual practice of or a typical Reiki session involves the client telling the practitioner exactly what it is that is bothering them and then the practitioner or healer balances your energy center or charkas by placing their hands either directly over or on your body for a few minutes at a time in a dozen basic positions located on the head, front and back of the body. The Reiki energy will then go wherever it is needed for healing. You remain clothed and either lay down or sit whichever is more comfortable as to receive the full benefit of the treatment you should be as relaxed as possible. There are varying opinions as to the actual healing properties and their spiritual associations. Some say it does not matter if you believe in the concept that it will work anyways and others claim that in order for the treatment to work you have to believe and be open to the healing energy. Either way those who have tried Reiki report feeling calm and relaxed after just one session.