Reiki is a natural healing technique developed in Japan for treating pain and certain ailments, reducing stress and achieving balance and relaxation. Based on the theory that an unseen energy flows through all living things and is thought of as the life force, practitioners and researchers have explored the role that this energy plays in health, immune function and well-being. Reiki practitioners are not taught in the traditional way how to use reiki, rather each practitioner receives a series of attunements or transfers to allow them to open to and work with the techniques and use them for the benefit and healing of themselves and others. A reiki treatment can be a relaxing and pleasant experience, and is a holistic therapy that works toward releasing energy blockages and encouraging the body to come into balance. Reiki is commonly employed in recovering from illness or drug addiction, removing toxins from the body and coping with anxiety or depression.