The medical use of subtle energy fields in and around the body has been documented by The National Center of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Reiki is used by consumers for relaxation and stress-reduction, anxiety and depression, as well as physical complaints including pain management, musculoskeletal conditions (such as: back pain, arthritis, tendinitis, capal tunnel syndrome, etc.), and wound healing. Reiki has been used by medical professionals including nurses, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, rehabilitation therapists, massage therapists and of course, Reiki practitioners in such medical settings as: hospitals, hospice care, emergency departments, psychiatric units, nursing homes, operating rooms, and family practice. (5,6).
In response to consumer demand, there is a growing interest among nurses and other healthcare providers in energy work, especially touch therapies that are non-invasive and do not depend on expensive technology (7,8). There have been no negative effects from Reiki reported in any research studies. Scientifically measurable effects of Reiki include lowered blood pressure, improved heart rate, lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and improved immune system response (as measured by red blood cell count).The largest clinical studies of Reiki's effects conclude that Reiki has the ability to reduce anxiety and pain, induce a state of deep relaxation, improve fatigue and depressive symptoms, and strengthen well-being and self-esteem.
There are no safety concerns with Reiki treatments and this is because Reiki does not interfere with conventional medical care. "Reiki will not override the action of medical interventions, but rather support the patient while he or she goes through them, restoring balance in body, mind, and spirit to the degree possible" (Miles, & Ringdal, 2014). While Reiki has not been shown to acerbate symptoms, a temporary intensification of symptoms can sometimes occur just after the Reiki treatment. "Traditionally, this is seen as a positive response that indicates that the body's healing mechanisms have been stimulated and the body is actively engaged in a healing process" (Miles, & Ringdal, 2014). Such a response should resolve quickly.
In the simplest language possible, Reiki has been shown effective in research studies to have positive physiological effects as well as documented psychological benefits. Some researchers theorize that Reiki's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing effect is triggered on a subphysical level, perhaps in what science refers to as the biofield.
Biofield is the term medical science has adopted for the intricately layered vibrational energy field that is said to surround and penetrate the physical body. The biofield is extremely subtle; there is as yet no conventional scientific technology that can measure its existence. "The healing traditions of indigenous cultures around the world use vibration to restore balance through ceremonial drumming, through instruments such as the didgeridoo and the tamboura, and through chanting, overtoning, and humming. Moreover, the therapeutic value of vibration in the forms of sound and music is increasingly supported by science. Perhaps Reiki's benefits occur through the same vibrational mechanism" (Miles, & Ringdal, 2014). Other Eastern therapies aim to restore balance in the biofield such as: acupuncture, qigong, shiatsu, and yoga/pranayama to name a few. Reiki seems to be the most subtle of these therapies.
The experience of Reiki has also been documented, including: experiencing heat radiating from the practitioner's hands, while sometimes the practitioner's hands feel refreshingly cool. Other common experiences are subtle pulsations where the practitioner's hands are placed or cascading waves of pulsations throughout the body.
People often comment how comforting they find the experience of Reiki to be. One study reported that recipients frequently felt that they were simultaneously aware of their surroundings and deeply indrawn. Some people report falling into a deep, trance-like meditative state. The experience of Reiki is dramatic for some, while for other people, uneventful, although they feel inexplicably better afterward. The most common experience reported is an almost immediate release of stress and a feeling of deep relaxation.
Reiki is cumulative, meaning even people who don't notice much the first time usually have progressively deeper experiences if they continue. Besides the immediate experience of Reiki, other changes continued to unfold: a sense of being more centered, poised and less reactive, and sleeping soundly that night.
In conclusion, there is increasing interest in Reiki therapy by medical professionals because it is a non-invasive and yet empirically-verifiable therapy. However, more research needs to be conducted in the field of complimentary alternative medicine, and specifically, Reiki therapy. Interest in energy work and exploring forms of alternative healthcare should be at the forefront of 21st century medicinal inquiry, not just because they are a less costly and invasive form of healthcare, but because they are sometimes more humane, taking into consideration the person as a whole: mind, body, and spirit.
For more research on Reiki please visit:
1. Usui, M., Petter, F.A. The Original Reiki Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui.
2. Stein, D. Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art.
3. Honervogt, T. The Power of Reiki: An Ancient Hands-On Healing Technique.
4. Gerber, R. A. Practcial Guide to Vibrational Medicine.
5. Miles, P. True, G. Reiki-A review of biofield therapy history, theory, practice and research
6. Barnett, L., Chambers, M. (1996). Reiki Energy Medicine-Bringing Healing Touch Into The Home, Hospital, and Hospice.
7. Newsham, G. Schuller-Civetela, A. (2003). Large clinical study shows value of therapeutic touch program. Holistic Nurse Practitioner; 17 (4): 189-192.
8. Benor, D.J. (2002). Spiritual Healing: Scientific Validation of a Healing Revolution. Southfield: Mich: Vision.
9. Peters, R.M. (1999). The effectiveness of therapeutic touch; a meta-analytic review. Nursing Science Quarterly:12:52-61.
10. Wardell, D.W., Weymonth, K.F. Review of Studies of Healing Touch. Journal of Nursing Scholarship; 36 (2): 147-154.
11. Miles, P., Ringdal, D. (2014). What Does The Research Say About Reiki? Taking Charge of Your Health and Well-Being. Center for Spirituality & Healing & Charlson Meadows, University of Minnesota, MN. Retrieved from: www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu
12. Miles, P., Ringdal, D. (2014). How Can Reiki Help Me? (See 11 for references).
13. Miles, P., Ringdal, D. (2014). Are There Any Safety Concerns for Using Reiki? (See 11 for references).
14. The National Center of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Retrieved from: http://nccam.nih.gov/
15. Vitale, A. (2007). An Integrative Review of Reiki Touch Therapy Research. Retrieved from:
www.rehab.ucla.edu/workfiles/Urban%20zen/Integrative_Review_of_Reiki_Research.pdf
15. Vitale, A. (2007). An Integrative Review of Reiki Touch Therapy Research. Retrieved from:
www.rehab.ucla.edu/workfiles/Urban%20zen/Integrative_Review_of_Reiki_Research.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment