Reiki is a natural system of energy healing that provides deep relaxation and stress reduction, as well as the space for spiritual self inquiry that strengthens one’s connection to their highest self. The healing happens by a Reiki Practitioner placing their hands on or near the recipient to channel the loving, healing, reiki energy through the recipient.
The term Reiki in Japanese, is used to describe both the energy and the Usui system of using it. Translated into English, “Rei” means “Spirit” and “Ki” means “Life Force Energy,” so the full translation is “spiritually guided life force energy.”
Reiki teachings are passed down from teachers to students by means of oral teachings and an initiation. The initiation is also known as an Attunement. The Attunement activates the student’s own energy system to act as a channel for the healing energy to flow through their body. Usui Reiki consists of 3 degrees or classes. This October, I received my Reiki Master Attunement from my teacher, Lauren Gicas, within the Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho lineage.
My Reiki Story
In 2020, as many of us remember, was a tough and confusing year. With the fear based news media, the health misinformation, and lies that were marketed as “science”, were heavy on my mind, body, spirit. On top of all that, I was a newly graduated chiropractor returning back to Charleston as an almost completely different person then who I was when I left AND, on top of all that, I broke up with a boyfriend. That was for the best, as always, but felt like a piece of me died along with the relationship. I changed so drastically that the friends I had prior to going to chiropractic school grew distant and the friends I had in chiropractic school moved all over the country. I felt very alone. Even though I was seeing a handful of chiropractic patients per day. We’re talking like 5 per day. I lived alone and was very alone.
I know that all of us have ebbs and flows when it comes to our lives, our moods, and our paths, but this was one of those ebbs per se that wasn’t easy.
I started to search for ways to help me move through the stress and confusion. I’ve always been a physical learner and active person. I feel better from sport, running, creating, doing things with my hands, so sitting and talking to a therapist didn’t appeal to me.
Somehow Reiki got on my radar. I often think that Reiki found me, rather than me finding Reiki. I eventually found that The Salt Spa & Yoga, when it was located in the house on upper King Street, had a Reiki session available. I made an appointment and that’s when I had my first Reiki session by my teacher, Lauren Gicas in 2020. They were accepting clients and I showed up, mask and all.
The Salt Spa & Yoga had a very calming vibey space with salt lamps everywhere. I was greeted by the most kind and welcoming smile by Lauren Gicas of coaleasesnceenergy.com. I don’t remember every single detail, but I do remember the “space” that she “held” for me.
I also remember her drawing a couple of Angel Oracle cards that were uplifting and positive even though I didn’t feel that way, and I remember her laying her hands for Reiki. I don’t have a memory of feeling any energy or getting my own insights during the session, however, Lauren offered me such loving, supportive, and kind wisdom from the session and I left feeling lighter and in a much better mood. The insight that she shared with me was simple, but profound in that it allowed me to see areas of my life that needed more of my attention or my awareness.
*Sidenote: Awareness is a huge step to any healing journey.
I was able to go back to Lauren maybe 3 or 4 times over the year until she moved from Charleston. After she left, I tried a couple of other Reiki Practioners. All of them are special in their own way, but I didn’t know what we had in Charleston until she was gone.
Lauren and I stayed in touch, and I would read her newsletter, so when I got the newsletter that she was having Reiki Level 1 Attunement and training, I signed up to learn Reiki too. Magic was everywhere and I was changing into a much more open version of me. Fast forward to October 2026, I received my Reiki Master Attunement with her, and other wonderful ladies in the class. I’m very honored.
Since learning and practicing Reiki these last 4ish years, the magic of life has opened up. Turns out, the more you move with the Universal Life Force Flow, the more synchronicities, alignment, and I don’t know any other way to put this but, MAGIC is expressed and recognized. I’ve also gotten much stronger in my senses, intuition, and innate potential.
Reiki and Chiropractic: Mind, Body, Spine & Spirit
We are alive because life energy (life-force energy) or Ki is flowing through us. Ki flows within the physical body through the nervous system. Ki flows through our energetic body through chakras, also known as energy centers. Ki also flows around us in a field of energy called an aura. Ki flows through the universe and this is called Universal Life- Force Energy.
When the flow of Ki is disrupted, it causes diminished functioning of one or more systems, organs, and cells in the body. This disruption of the flow of Ki is the main cause of illness. Disruption of Ki can occur in the physical body, mental body, emotional body, and soul/spirit body. In chiropractic, this is called a subluxation. In reiki, this is called a blockage.
When you receive an adjustment, there is an immediate opening of your Ki within your nerve channels, however, if you also have a lot of disruption in your energetic body, then that can hold you back That’s where reiki comes in. Chiropractic takes care of Ki down the street of physical, and reiki takes care of Ki through the street of energy.
Now, if you ask me, chiropractic covers all the bodies of health, mind, body, and spirit because they are all connected and intertwined. Your soul cannot express itself without the nervous system’s expression of life. I also like to think of your nervous system as your physical gateway to the soul and your antenna that’s in constant communication with universal life force energy. Reiki “holds hands” with chiropractic by creating space for your energetic body to open by bringing you in a state of peace. They compliment each other so well that I want to bring that service to Charleston today. Simply check out our Chiropractic + Reiki option on our booking site at cypresschirocare.janeapp.com.
Whether you decide to book a specific Chiropractic + Reiki Session or simply a Chiropractic Session, the reiki is here at Cypress Chiropractic & Wellness, located in the Faber House of Downtown Charleston. You get a sprinkle of it every time you come here, complimentary.
Thanks for reading and may the Life Force be with you.