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Other common
name(s): Reiki healing, Usui system of Reiki, distant
Reiki
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Reiki is based on the belief that spiritual energy can be
channeled through a Reiki practitioner to heal the patient's
spirit. This is thought to help liberate the body's natural healing
powers. Reiki is most often given as a hands-on treatment, but it may
also be sent from a distance. Reiki is a Japanese term meaning
"universal life energy."
Overview
There are anecdotal reports that Reiki increases relaxation
and sense of well-being. There is early scientific evidence that Reiki
may be useful for reducing pain in some patients with advanced cancer.
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that Reiki can
treat cancer.
How is it promoted for use?
Many practitioners explain that Reiki is not used to diagnose
or treat specific illnesses. Rather, Reiki is said to promote
relaxation, decrease stress and anxiety, and increase a person's
general sense of well-being. The Reiki practitioner delivers the
therapy through his or her hands, with the goal of raising the amount
of universal life energy (called qi, ch'i, or ki) in and around the
client. Proponents claim that when the energy paths of the body are
blocked or disturbed, the result can be illness, weakness, and pain.
Reiki practitioners intend to realign and strengthen the flow of
energy, thereby decreasing pain, easing muscle tension, speeding
healing, improving sleep, and generally enhancing the body's natural
ability to heal itself.
What does it involve?
During a Reiki session, the practitioner places his or her
hands in twelve to fifteen positions on or above parts of the patient's
clothed body. The hands are intended to be a conduit for universal life
energy, balancing energy within and around the body. The hands are held
in place for approximately two to five minutes in each position. A
Reiki session usually lasts about one hour. Some practitioners say that
they achieve the best results when patients have three Reiki sessions
within a relatively short time, take a break, and then repeat the
process. There are three levels of Reiki practice: a Reiki I
practitioner can offer hands-on sessions, a Reiki II practitioner can
offer hands-on or distant Reiki, and a Reiki master can offer hands-on
Reiki, distant Reiki, and Reiki instruction. Second degree Reiki
practitioners and Reiki masters believe that they can send healing
universal life energy over a distance, similar to claims by qigong
masters who practice traditional Chinese healing concepts (see our
document, Qigong).
What is the history behind it?
The basis for modern-day Reiki practice may have originated in
Tibet more than 2,500 years ago. Reiki was rediscovered in the early
1900s by a Japanese man named Dr. Mikao Usui. During a lengthy period
of travel and research, Dr. Usui found ancient texts that described
Reiki and its power to heal by using the energy that flows through all
living things. From his studies and meditations, he developed what came
to be known as the Usui system of Reiki. Other systems of Reiki have
been developed as well.
Training programs and certification are available from Reiki
organizations. However, these organizations are not regulated by any
government agency.
What is the evidence?
There are many individual reports about Reiki's power to
increase feelings of well-being and refresh the spirit. Some cancer
patients undergoing active treatment have reported an increased sense
of well-being, reduced pain, and reduced nausea and vomiting after
Reiki sessions. One small controlled pilot study found that Reiki was
linked with reduced self-reports of pain in patients with advanced
cancer, but it had no effect on the amount of pain medicine used by the
patients to control their pain.
A nonrandomized study reported that Reiki improved anxiety
among women after undergoing a hysterectomy, whereas a randomized study
reported no effect on anxiety of women undergoing breast biopsies.
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
Reiki can help treat cancer or any other illness. More study may help
determine to what extent, if at all, it can improve a patient's sense
of well-being.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
Reiki involves very light touch or no touch and is considered
safe. However, relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying standard medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Energy medicine: an overview. National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/energymed.htm on April 2, 2007.
Federal News Service. Prepared testimony of Susan Silver, the
Center for Integrative Medicine, George Washington University, before
the House Government Reform Committee: The role of early detection and
complementary and alternative medicine in women's cancers. June 10,
1999. Accessed at http://www.fnsg.com/ on June 20, 2008.
An introduction to Reiki. National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/ on Accessed December 9, 2006.
Mansour AA, Beuche M, Laing G, Leis A, Nurse J. A study to
test the effectiveness of placebo Reiki standardization procedures
developed for a planned Reiki efficacy study. J Altern Complement Med.
1999;5:153-164.
Miles P, True G. Reiki -- review of a biofield therapy:
History, theory, practice, and research. Altern Ther Health Med.
2003;9:62-72.
Olson K, Hanson J, Michaud M. A phase II trial of Reiki for
the management of pain in advanced cancer patients. J Pain Symptom Manage.
2003;26:990-997.
Olson K, Hanson J. Using Reiki to manage pain: a preliminary
report. Cancer Prev
Control. 1997;1:108-113.
Reiki. Aetna InteliHealth Web site. Accessed at
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/34968/360056.html on
Accessed June 2, 2008.
Shiflett SC, Nayak S, Bid C, Miles P, Agostinelli S. Effect of
Reiki treatments on functional recovery in patients in poststroke
rehabilitation: a pilot study.
J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8:755-763.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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