Chiryo is the traditional Japanese term for the treatment phase of a Reiki session. It refers to the hands-on healing itself: the way the practitioner applies Reiki once they have grounded through Gassho and invited guidance through Reiji Ho.

In Japanese, chi (治) means treating or healing, and ryo (療) relates to therapy. Chiryo is the point where inner preparation becomes action.

The Two Elements of Chiryo

Traditional treatment is not built around a fixed chart of hand positions. Instead, the practitioner responds to the needs of the moment using two practical elements:

• Byosen Reikan Ho (Sensing): Scanning the energy field to locate areas of imbalance (Byosen).
• Tenohira (Palm Treatment): Placing the palms (Tenohira) on or just above the areas of imbalance and remaining there until the sensation softens or clears.

What Byosen Feels Like in Practice

Byosen appears in subtle, physical ways. These sensations are simply the body and energy system communicating:

• Heat or Warmth: An area that feels noticeably hotter than the rest of the body.
• Pulsing or Throbbing: A sense of rhythm or pressure under the palms.
• Cold or Emptiness: A patch that feels cooler, dull, or strangely “absent.”
• Prickling or Tingling: Fine, electrical, or “fizzy” sensations.
• Heaviness or Density: A feeling that the energy is thick or stagnant.

With regular practice, you begin to recognize your own personal language of these sensations and trust them.

Preparing for Chiryo: The Three-Point Check

The effectiveness of Chiryo depends on the practitioner’s presence. Before beginning, check these three points:

1. Body Posture: Stand or sit in a way that is relaxed and stable. Avoid locking the knees or hunching the shoulders.
2. Breath: Keep the breath natural, with a gentle awareness of the Hara. If you notice yourself holding your breath, soften and exhale.
3. Attitude: Rather than “sending” energy, rest in the intention of allowing Reiki to flow. Curiosity and humility are more helpful than trying to achieve a specific result.

Key Characteristics

In this traditional framing, Chiryo is:

• Intuitive: Following the guidance of Reiji Ho and the feedback of Byosen rather than a rigid sequence.
• Dynamic: Hand positions are not fixed; the practitioner moves as the sensations change.
• Rooted in the Body: The focus is on the practitioner’s own stillness, allowing Reiki to work through the hands without forcing an outcome.

Chiryo in Self-Practice

You can apply Chiryo to yourself. After a period of Gassho and Joshin Kokyu Ho, use Byosen sensing on your own body. Move your hands to areas that feel tight, heavy, or “noisy.” This keeps self-practice responsive rather than mechanical.