Reiki, which translated means universal life force energy, was developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Dr. Mikao Usui. Since then it has been adopted in all parts of the world. Reiki is used as a complementary therapy for illness, and while it doesn't replace the need for medical treatment, it might help to address emotional and spiritual issues. The website Cleveland Clinic notes that reiki might also make medical treatments even more effective, but it should never be solely relied upon as a treatment for chronic illness.
Reiki Treatment
During a reiki treatment, patients lie, fully clothed on a massage table for up to 50 minutes while a reiki practitioner places her hands on specific areas of the body or holds them a few inches above. Healing reiki energy is said to emanate from the hands of a practitioner. Although there is no massage or pressure involved, patients might experience sensations of heat, tingling or pulsing during a reiki session. Some people fall asleep or merely feel relaxed. However, Cleveland Clinic reports that others don't feel physical sensations at all during a treatment.
Reiki Benefits
Cleveland Clinic asserts that reiki promotes relaxation, dissolves energy blockages and tension, detoxifies the body, stimulates the body's immune system, helps to relieve pain and stimulates tissue and bone healing after injury or surgery. While reiki isn't an exclusive treatment for any one illness, Cleveland Clinic reports that it might be effective in all types of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing. Reiki practitioners at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Integrative Medicine have performed energy sessions for patients with all forms of cancer, fertility issues, Parkinson’s Disease, psychological illness and fibromyalgia, to name a few.
Integrative Reiki
Integrative reiki along with medical care is used at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. The trauma center and integrative medicine departments are collaborating on a study of the benefits to patients. Both departments have reported positive responses from trauma patients, most of whom have requested follow-up treatments. Donna Audia, R.N., of Shock Trauma’s pain management team and a certified reiki master, says the department has found that reiki promotes calmness and well-being in patients. Sometimes it eases their pain, and their heart and breathing rates slow. Furthermore, Rick Dutton, M.D., chief of trauma anesthesiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, likens reiki's psychological benefits to that of pastoral care or visits from social workers, counselors and psychiatrists.
Efficacy of Reiki Studies
Writer Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D., reports for Altmeds.com that The Journal of Alternate and Complementary Medicine published a review of 12 reiki clinical trials. Although nine had positive results, 11 were flawed, as no control group or comparison treatments were used. However, a review of 205 reiki studies published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice revealed that in nine studies, the patients' levels of depression and anxiety were improved. Yet none of the studies revealed any improvement in the patients' pain levels after reiki treatments. Nowinski concludes that reiki's ultimate benefit is in helping patients deal with the psychological effects caused by serious illness.
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