It’s Complementary Archives

Summer 2007 – Reiki

There have been a number of modalities used over the years to promote or maintain the balance of energy fields in the body. One of these modalities, Reiki, is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that is also said to promote healing.

Reiki practitioners claim that the therapy boosts the body’s immune system, enhances the body’s ability to heal itself and is beneficial for a wide range of problems. It is not fully known whether or not Reiki actually influences health or how it might do so as there has been little rigorous scientific research to support its effectiveness. However, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is currently sponsoring studies to find out more about Reiki’s effects, how it works and diseases and conditions for which it might prove helpful.

Reiki is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through each of us and is what causes us to be alive. Reiki practitioners believe that if one’s life force energy is low, we are more likely to get sick or feel stress. If it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthier. During a Reiki session, a person sits or lies comfortably, fully clothed. The practitioner places her hands on or slightly above the person’s body, using 12 to 15 different hand positions, with the intent to transmit ki (“life force energy” pronounced kee). Some Reiki practitioners believe they are helped by “spirit guides” for proper flow of the energy.

Practitioners say a deep sense of relaxation following a Reiki session may have beneficial health-related effects, such as reducing pain, nausea and fatigue. Reiki appears to be generally safe, and serious side effects have not been reported. People have sought Reiki treatment for a wide variety of health-related purposes including the effects of stress, chronic pain, recovery from surgery and anesthesia, side effects of chemo or radiation therapy, to improve immunity or for a general sense of well-being.

As with any complementary or alternative therapy, Reiki should be used in conjunction with traditional therapies and not alone. For more information, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine web site at www.nccam.nih.gov