Reiki Really Works: A Groundbreaking Scientific Study
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After decades of often disputed validity, the effectiveness of Reiki, a holistic energy treatment is gaining new respect within the medical community. Not only are highly reputable medical facilities throughout the U.S. offering patients alternative healing programs such as Reiki, those facilities are analyzing the benefits of their programs and are submitting them for review and compilation. The results of these Reiki research studies are nothing short of remarkable.
A Brief Explanation of Reiki
Reiki is an energy healing treatment that works holistically; on the whole body, mind and spirit. Not a system of religious beliefs, Reiki is simply a relaxing treatment whereas natural healing vibrations are transmitted through the hands of a Reiki practitioner (acting as a conduit) to the body of the recipient. The purpose of a Reiki treatment is to relieve stress and pain, induce relaxation, release emotional blockages, accelerate natural healing, balance subtle bodies energies and support other medical modalities including traditional therapies.
The International Center for Reiki Training has estimated that there are 4,000,000 people throughout the word who have taken at least one level of Reiki training. There are three traditional levels of expertise.
Today, Reiki education is offered free of charge in more than 800 American Hospitals as a means to accelerate the healing process and to alleviate pain.
Those hospitals are listed on this PDF document which may be downloaded here.
Why Reiki Has Been Discounted
For years Reiki, along with other methods of holistic therapies were looked upon with disdain, even contempt from medical associations, practitioners, mainstream scientists and clerics. The idea that the human body was permeated or surrounded by an invisible, etheric body of “life force energy” was considered to be no less than nonsense.
These negative conclusions were formulated on the premise that “life energy” fields such as those accepted in China as Chi or qi, in Japan as ki and in India as prana , were “unseen” and “immeasurable” by traditional research or scientific instrumentation.
But now all that is changing.
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Reiki Clinical Studies, Improved Reporting
There's never been a comprehensive list of controlled, evidence-based research that was accessible to the holistic, medical, and scientific communities. It wasn’t until 2005 when William Lee Rand, founder and president of the International Center for Reiki Training and a pioneer in worldwide Reiki awareness formed the Center For Reiki Research and developed what is now known as The Touchstone Process.
What is The Touchstone Process?
The Touchstone Process is actually a peer review method for analyzing the current state of scientific studies done on Reiki programs in hospitals, clinics and hospice facilities throughout the United States. The process of critique is rigorous, impartial, and consistent and incorporates the best practices for scientific review.
William Lee Rand began formulating The Touchstone Process after developing the Reiki In Hospitals website, considered to be the most comprehensive compilation of hospitals offering Reiki treatments throughout the world.
The Touchstone Process is unique. Never before have there been so many worthy studies of Reiki gathered, analyzed and evaluated within a single source.
Reiki Case Studies
The most recent data analyzed (during 2008-9) shows strong evidence that Reiki is indeed responsible for a positive biological response in both humans and animals.
The strongest evidence (rated “excellent” in the Process) was reported in the most carefully controlled of all experiments; non other than laboratory rats. In both 2006 and 2008 stressed-out lab rats received Reiki treatments and they all showed significantly reduced stress, anxiety and depression responses. “Sham” or bogus Reiki treatments were given to the placebo group and they showed no reduction in stress, anxiety or depression.
Testing in humans performed between 1993 and 2006 showed ratings from Satisfactory to Excellent, all suggesting that the benefit of Reiki treatments were positive in controlling pain levels in humans. There were some “confounding variables”, which is typical in hospital (as opposed to laboratory) studies; however, the placebo Reiki treatments in this experiment were by contrast ineffective in controlling pain.
Other examples of Reiki studies performed in hospitals and universities may be found on this related site for Reiki research.
Vital Signs
New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Campus conducted one of the first studies ever performed to determine the effectiveness of Reiki treatments on the autonomic nervous system. This “blind, random study” included a Reiki treatment group, a “sham” treatment group and a “control” group. The testing began with all participants at “baseline” autonomic nervous systems levels. The results within the Reiki treatment group showed a lowering of these levels including heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. These positive results led the team to recommend further, larger studies to look at the biological effects of Reiki treatment.
It’s interesting to note that Columbia/Presbyterian was one of the first hospitals to offer Reiki as part of their Integrative Medicine Program (CIMP). The now famous cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Mehmet Oz brought tremendous attention to Reiki when he invited Reiki practitioners to treat patients during open heart surgeries and heart transplant operations. Dr. Oz is often quoted as saying, "Reiki has become a sought-after healing art among patients and mainstream medical professionals."
Words of wisdom from an internationally recognized Reiki Practioner and author who had been published in peer-reviewed medical journals
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Reiki Passes Tests with Flying Colors
There have been many other controlled studies submitted to peer-journals and to The Touchstone Process for review. Ailments and disorders that tested favorably to Reiki treatment include:
1. Post operative pain after tooth extraction
2. Cognition in elderly, related to dementia/Alzheimers
3. Pre-operative relaxation and post-op pain
4. Pain in chronically ill patients
5. Depression and stress
6. Well-being in Reiki practitioners
As of 2009, The Touchstone Process has evaluated 25 test studies that appeared in peer-review journals evaluating the merits of Reiki Treatments. Taking into consideration only the most rigorously controlled studies, the team reported that 83% showed moderate to strong evidence in support of Reiki as a viable, therapeutic healing modality.
Only one study proved solidly negative and that was for the treatment of fibromyalgia-associated pain levels. As is the case with conventional drug treatments, not all therapies prove to be effective.
Thinking Positively
Despite these findings and the impressive number of highly reputable hospitals offering Reiki Treatments to patients, there will be those who continue to deem Reiki and other forms of energy-medicine as being “nonsensical”.
As recently as 2009, reviews of randomized studies”of Reiki research conducted by Edzard Ernst, M.D., Ph.D. and his colleagues at the University of Exeter, concluded that most were poorly designed and presented insufficient evidence to suggest that Reiki was an effective method for healing any condition.
That same year, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops came out with a statement urging Catholic health-care facilities and clergy not to promote or support Reiki therapy. They issued a statement emphatically concluding that Reiki cannot be an effective method of healing “within the findings of natural science or in Christian belief".
One can only look to the future of science and the evolution of scientific testing, evaluation and responsible reporting which began with The Touchstone Process to alter these perceptions.
The good news is that in a press release dated Sept. 15th, 2008, The American Hospital Association President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock stated, “"Complementary and alternative medicine has shown great promise in supporting and stimulating healing. It's one of the many tools hospitals look to as they continue to create optimal healing environments for the patients they serve."
According to a 2008 AHA the survey, 84 percent of hospitals indicated patient demand as the primary rationale in offering complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services including Reiki and 67 percent of those surveyed stated “clinical effectiveness” as their top reason.
65 of those hospitals are listed on the Center for Reiki Research’s website including-
- Duke Integrative Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center Campus, New York, New York
- Yale–New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut
- Sharp Memorial Hospital Inpatient Cancer Support Services, San Diego, California
- Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
- Citrus Valley Medical Center Cancer Resource Center, Covina, California
In addition, the American Medical Association (AMA) has added Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments to their directory of billable procedures.
Here are links to other medical journal articles on the positive effects of Reiki
- Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center - New York Presbyterian Hospital
Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center - Healing emotional pain and stress leads to healing physical pain and illness.
- Healers in the Operating Room - Article from healthpoints E-newsletter
Breast program welcomes alternative practitioners before and during breast surgery. Physicians, surgeons, and nursing staff at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia understand that emotional well-being plays an important role in healing, and they do as much - Reiki - Medical Research
Medical research and other papers on the benefits of Reiki treatment
Conclusion
A spokesperson from Columbia Integrative Medicine Program at the New York Presbyterian Hospital (CIMP) perhaps expresses it best, saying,
“I find the practice of Reiki very rewarding, as a practitioner. Patients have reported deep relaxation and a sense of profound healing, after one session. I feel that Reiki is a huge asset for any hospital setting, because patients sense that they are in a truly caring environment."
As Reiki continues to become "a huge asset" for the hospital setting, analytical reporting such as The Touchstone Process continues to add to the much needed pool of evidence that Reiki is indeed a worthy, effective method for facilitating the healing process; one that can contribute to the betterment of patients everywhere and to the betterment of our health care systems.
© Copyright Green Lotus, 2011. All rights reserved
If you reproduce this article, please credit Green Lotus with a link to http://greenlotus.hubpages.com. Thank you!
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Excellent Hub, GL.
I adore Reiki...and wish that people understand much more how important is to receive healthy energy - for body, mind, emotions...it is so effective for healing, improving the life conditions...
Today I can say that I feel I was born again after I started to practice Reiki.
Love and Light
Great hub Green Lotus!!! As a reiki practitioner I must say it is quite nice to see an article that compiles all of the data and documentation with "proof" if you will. As more people have the opportunity to experience the benefits of energy health and wellness we will wonder how we ever made it the traditional Western ways. Keep shining so brightly!
this is an excellent article on Reiki, its history and progress. Good hub.
Thanks for being the first to comment dohn. I've been a Reiki Master since the early eighties and I've seen remarkable progress in the acceptance of the modality, even within large institutions. Yes, there's a long way to go for mainstream acceptance, but Reiki as an adjunct to traditional medicine has shown to be successful. Talk about saving money..the hospitals are releasing patients earlier which actually increases business. I think that's why so many (over 800) including Connecticut hospitals in Hartford, Norwark, Middletown and Yale in New Haven are using Reiki and even training staff! Not too shabby!
In doing some additional research I also found some Catholic hospitals that are either offering Reiki or seeking RN with alternative medicine training. St. Joe's in St. Paul MN is just one.
Hello Tatjana and Emo - I somehow knew you both would read this and I have to say I was thinking about you both - my fellow Reiki Masters, in doing the research and writing for this Hub. I was blown away by the positive information I found. All I can say is that the times are indeed 'a changing!..and in the right direction. Thank you both for commenting here :)
@Pam - So glad you enjoyed this as well. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
Great article on Reiki. you brought me up to date on this. Thank you for sharing.
So glad to help leanew and thanks for leaving a comment :)
Sorry for my delay but given the contest plus the hubmob there are so many hubs around that I'm at least two days late, and I'm not writing. Very good article, I'm sorry I can't stumble it because it doesn't work now, so maybe a link form my hubs could be good the same? :)
I've been finally able to stumble the hub, but the link offer is still available.:)
Thanks hypnodude! I've taken up the Hubmob/contest challenge myself and I'm absolutely manic. My Yoga is suffering which is a real dichotomy considering I'm write Hubs on health!
Thanks for the 'stumble". I am certainly going to link this to your hub today.
Link added to both my Reiki hubs.:) Happy Sunday!
Thanks hypnodude - happy Sunday evening!
Beautifully written and 'compiled,' GL! Well, it just so happens that I am having major surgery in June, so I'll definitely look into the availability of Reiki as both a pain and stress reliever.
Laurel
Thank you lorlie! I will start sending Reiki energy your way now! You can download the list of hospitals that offer Reiki from the link in the Hub. Hope the hospital you'll be visiting is listed, if not make an inquiry as I understand a lot of RN's are qualified and are trying to get their hospital administrators to set up Integrated medicine programs.
Wow! Just great. Your skill as a writer shows, and the video presentation was very helpful. I see that you are also dealing with the skeptics and non-believers of energy medicine. We need not worry about them, since many people are finding energy modalities help heal on so many levels. The people will ask for more of these treatments time and time again. We are moving to spirit.
I had no idea Reiki was offered in American hospitals - if only they'd catch on over here but if the Catholic bishops are urging people to avoid promoting Reiki, well, it's probably not surprising.
Here's to nonsense, I say! There's nothing more therapeutic and healing than it!
hi apricot. I believe it is catching on in Europe, but since the Hub really focused on The Touchstone Process and American Hospitals I didn't get into it. Things are changing for the better thank goodness despite opposition!
Wow I just found out that my recent hub "Chinese Medicine, Chinese Style is a finalist in the Health contest this week. If you read it and liked it, please vote for me! Just go to the contest page. Deadline is Wednesday, March 10th at noonPT! Thanks!
natural healing vibrations are transmitted through the hands of a Reiki practitioner (acting as a conduit) to the body of the recipient'
What is the source of these energies?
Hi itakins. Thanks for commenting. According to practitioners of vibrational medicine the source is the "life force" or "energy" of the universe. Depending on your beliefs, you can call it the universal intelligence, The Source, God (by any name) or anything that is meaningful to you. Have a beautiful day!
Fantastic Hub and choice of subject matter. I have found the practitioners of Reiki to not only be great healers, but wise and strong human beings.
Thanx so much for sharing this hub.
Keep on Hubbing
Blake4d
It's good to meet you blake4d and thank you for your kind words about the Hub and surely about Reiki Masters:)
I see it all the time. It must work.
Thank you learn Reiki. I appreciate your stopping by to comment.
Great info - thorough and fascinating news about the evidence for Reiki. Maybe with growing recognition by the scientific community, more medical practitioners will include it in their bag of tricks. My niece is a practitioner and finds it healing to all involved. Superb as always.
embee- So good to see you again and I'm glad you found this useful. As a Reiki practitioner myself I am constantly amazed at the power of this natural healing modality that heals on three levels, mind, body and spirit. Hospitals are incorporating the practice because it works and when people get better sooner, everyone benefits. Much thanks for the kind words.
Awesome Hub Green Lotus! Reiki is an amazing modality that deserves to be in the mainstream. When I was giving birth, the baby's heartbeat sped up to a dangerous rate and the only thing that would bring it down was my sister doing Reiki on us. Since then I've become hooked and am a pratitioner myself. Well written and informative! Thank you!
Savannah - Thanks for sharing that amazing story and thanks for the kind review. I see from your profile, we share a few things in common!
This is fantastic news! I am so very pleased to see the therapeutic benefits of reiki acknowledged by science. It is becoming more popular and now, in the light of these findings, there is a very strong foundation for the future acceptance of reiki by more people than ever before. Thank you so much for writing this article!
skybird you are most welcome. I too hope the word continues to spread.
Excellent article. I have seen what Reiki can do. Not only on family and friends, but myself as well. I hope this article inspires more people to investigate and learn more about Reiki...Namaste :)
Stephanie - Thanks for commenting here and for sharing your experience too. Namaste.
Great to see an article on Reiki. Some people need to see the scientific evidence; some of us believe without it. As a Reiki practitioner, I believe in its therapeutic value, but some who haven't experienced it would have trouble recognizing its benefits. Thanks for an interesting article.
Great article.....jewels of useful information.Yes I agree that Reiki is a marvelous alternative form of treatment which provides immediate and long lasting results as I have used Reiki many times and felt satisfied all the times......hence will recommend highly to others as well to benefit from this natural gift.Thanks.
gajanis- Thanks for the nice comment! Sadly, the funding for alternative treatments in hospitals as well as Reiki research is feeling the crunch as is our entire health care system.
A great info on Reiki. I have heard about reiki before through a leaflet handed me several years ago, but that doesn't intrigue me much but now I fully aware how useful this technique. I'm wondering if one can learn such thing at home :)
Anyway rated 'useful' for its superb info!
KenWu- Reiki is easy to learn, even at home, but traditionally, you need to be "attuned" by a Reiki master. It's not anything religious, just traditionally correct. There are videos and books that teach Reiki principals and hand positions, but I always recommend learning Reiki from a trained teacher. Thanks for visiting and for your kind review.
This article does a lot to educate people to the healing power of Reiki. Thanks for putting it all together. Great!
Daniel nice to meet you and you are most welcome. Thanks!
Useful article - thanks!! I kinda new to reiki but very much interested. I've created also a site where I write about reiki -> http://www.reiki-training.org
Jane
thanks Jane
I have been so interested in Reiki lately and your hub has really helped me to understand things better!! You have organized in such an easy to understand way making one wonder why not practice Reiki? Brilliant - as always GL!
Up, useful and awesome!!!
Chatkath - Why not practice Reiki! Anyone can do it and it's so easy to learn too. Today you can even receive the attunements from a video (although I'm glad I had a live Reiki Master pass them on to me:) In any case, thanks..
I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this article. Namaste.
a lot of references on scientific study of reiki and similar modalities you can found here http://nadejda13.hubpages.com/hub/reiki-science
nadejda - I'm glad you found my Hub and welcome to HP. Just a gentle reminder; posting your own url's in comments may lower your Hubscore. It's better to simply share some of your knowledge.
Namaste.
Thanks- I didn't know about it
and actually it is a little strang, because I can't share my knowledge in comment since it take a long hub to present it.
Its great to know that Reiki's effectiveness getting proved by Science.
nadejda - You are welcome. Commenting briefly, sharing some of your knowledge is a great way to get readers to check out more information on your Hubs.
sidds123450 - Yes Reiki is being used in more hospitals and clinics every year.
Thank you for this great article. I really enjoyed it!
Recently I became a Reiki Master and I appreciate all this information that you put together so beautifully. I will be referring others to your hub.
Good that Reiki finds its way in the medical world! The only thing that scared me was the remark that one could get Reiki-attunement through a...video...???? One important thing in Reiki is the oral tradition and of course the LIFE attunement by a LIFE Reiki-master!! Never forget this please. Reiki forever!
Csilla - You are most welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed the article. You will find, as I have that becoming a Reiki Master opens up positive energy for both you and your clients.
Jeanne- I'm heartened as well to learn real evidence that Reiki is being proven to be an affective healing modality and that facts are being promoted to the general public. I agree, getting your Reiki attunements from a video is one of the more distasteful consequences of the media explosion. I mention it in answering some of the comments, but always promote the traditional life attunement method as being the most effective way to get your levels. Reiki as we all know is an ever-evolving healing modality. There are those who to this day are quick to discredit any school of Reiki other than USUI Reiki. One can only share the facts along with one's own savvy advice :) Thanks for commenting. Namaste.
Wow,your article is very wonderful...that proves reiki as a part of science. i do realy love it, Green Lotus! It'z realy great!
-Shandy, a Baha'i, Reiki Master from Indonesia-
Wow. Just, wow.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18410352
"CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the evidence is insufficient to suggest that reiki is an effective treatment for any condition. Therefore the value of reiki remains unproven."
That's from the abstract of the study itself.
Are you all illiterate? Or did you all not really go and read the actual study and merely went along with what you wanted to hear instead of the true facts of the matter?
Great proof to show those who doubt that reiki really works. Thanks for sharing - http://www.what.isreiki.com
i did reiki on my dog when she had a compressed disc in her back and i really thought she was going to be paralyzed and that i would have to put her down. 2 days later i stopped giving her the pain killers prescribed by my vet and she was totally fine and has been since. coincidence? maybe. i like to think i healed her.
Thank you for writing about Reiki and helping the public become more aware of this safe and effective spiritual healing practice.
I have worked in the OR with Mehmet Oz and other cardiac surgeons, offering Reiki treatment to people undergoing open-heart surgery. Mehmet also had me demonstrate Reiki on The Dr. Oz Show in January 2010. The quote that you shared from Mehmet is actually his endorsement quote from the cover of my book "REIKI: A Comprehensive Guide."
Peer-reviewed medical papers on Reiki are freely available at http://bit.ly/3HFcg. One of the papers is a study I did at Yale that was published in the prestigious medical journal Journal of the American College of Cardiology. This is the first Reiki paper to be published in a top-tier conventional medical journal.
If we are to have Reiki practice available in conventional health care, it is critically important that Reiki medical research meet existing medical standards, rather than creating a new set of standards that has no credibility in conventional medicine (such as Touchstone). If we want to enter the medical realm, we need to demonstrate that Reiki practice meets credibility standards.
It is important that Reiki practitioners who want to collaborate in conventional health care do not overrate the research that has been done. There is not yet sufficient research data to support the inclusion of Reiki practice in standard medical care. Studies that may seem positive to lay people are often deeply flawed, and physicians recognize these flaws readily.
At this point, it is not the medical research that is driving the inclusion of Reiki practice in conventional health care; it is the combination of consensus that Reiki practice is low-risk, combined with the anecdotal evidence that is accumulating as more Reiki-trained health care professionals bring moments of Reiki touch to address patients' needs, especially those psychosocial needs that are not so readily addressed by conventional interventions.
My daughter used Reiki on me years ago. I was stunned that something so simple could have been so helpfull.
Pamela - Thanks for your inspirational comment and for the additional link. I agree, the general public and the AMA demands more studies to confirm those presented here. Hopefully greater awareness of the merits of Reiki will encourage those studies along with medical journal reviews. I'm pleased that I was able to include your video in this article which has received an unprecedented number of views over the last few days.
I appreciate your comments and thank you all for sharing your experiences here. Hopefully greater Reiki awareness along with the promotion of groundbreaking studies like The Touchstone Process will spark new studies on Reiki medical research that meet existing traditional medical standards.
It's a hamster though.
Anon, LOL! I must revise the caption.
I was able to call on reiki for a friends dog once (silly thing had mangled and half eaten a Cane Toad. He lived well away from a vet and was a very sick little dog, not even able to move his limbs from the poison after a couple of days...After a couple of Reiki treatments he was able to gradually move around and by the third day was up and running around. Apart from that It would be wonderful if Australuia would follow the lead of the American hospitals, over here, even a lot of my friends think I have two heads for practising, in fact I only have three friends who have ever come to me for a healing, everyone else has been someone referred by ....... If friends realised that if they showed support and had open minds they also would be so much the richer for the experience and may even take attunements themselves. Keep up the good work, this was a wonderful article.
I am a 'Reiki Master'..which is as far as I am concerned...A term...however my personal experience of 'Reiki' has been lifechanging ...empowering...& transitional over many years so much so that it is an integral pert of my life..sustaining me on every level...also I offer treatments to all that are in need of uplifting...and do not need to be 'paid' for my time ect...for this is my fulfillment..its something that will without exception benefit every human being....and above and beyond anything I have ever experienced...at a point in my life where the medical profession was unable to offer me anything other than drugs which impeded my ability to such an extent I was 'powerless' to move beyond my unhappy status....Amen..
Yvonne - What a great story! Thanks for sharing it here. Yes, Reiki, being an etheric healing modality is still difficult to "sell" to the traditional medical community. Western medicine demands proof by physically measurable means. The science of quantum physics and so many notable theorists and physicist face similar issues. Thank you for your kind words about this article.
Pamela R - I know how you feel about Reiki Master being just a "term". Reiki as you know is evolving and old traditions are being expanded upon. I choose to respect all schools of Reiki as long as they are practiced for the highest good of all. Wishing you well. Namaste.
That same year, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops came out with a statement urging Catholic health-care facilities and clergy not to promote or support Reiki therapy. They issued a statement emphatically concluding that Reiki cannot be an effective method of healing “within the findings of natural science or in Christian belief".
I really don't understand them, especially when Jesus was always 'laying hands' and curing the sick. Just a bit hypocritical?
Kimiko - Yes, it is just one example of ways we can be manipulated when organized religion seeks to serve itself rather than others.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18410352
you guys really should read the study
"CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the evidence is insufficient to suggest that reiki is an effective treatment for any condition. Therefore the value of reiki remains unproven."
Did anyone read the conclusion... It says that reiki is unproven...that's UNPROVEN!
The univ of Exeter & Plymouth study is saying something negative. What you can do is to close your eyes, put on your Powerband bracelet and think about positive studies from our special universities. Didn't Deepak Chopra say "Don't be like the drop in the ocean but be the ocean in the drop?"
No evidence provided, just anecdotes. Pamela Miles' website offers distant Reiki over the phone. Come on! You people are that gullible? You deserve to be ripped off, you fluffy morons.
Zappawizard - You really should read the entire article. My link to that study was to point out that there have been negative studies regarding Reiki; however, many new studies are conducted and more medical journal reviews are published
ExpressoFrog - Thanks for leaving one of the world's most admired quotes.
Craig - As Pamela Miles said in her comment, .."it is not the medical research that is driving the inclusion of Reiki practice in conventional health care". It is because people find it beneficial. Caregivers are regularly submitting new medical papers about the positive effects of Reiki treatments. Yes, new studies are needed that meet greater criteria, but the fact that the programs are growing in popularity within major medical facilities around the world is groundbreaking in itself.
Green Lotus - So, providing you don't control for placebo, don't isolate your variables, don't count the misses with the hits, don't randomize, don't publish methodology for peer review and falsification, but only rely on testimonials, that's reliable evidence of efficacy? "People find it beneficial"? People also find sacrificing children to the gods "beneficial". Prove it. (Not the children claim for ethical reasons).
Craig - This article does cite controlled testing and published methodology for peer review within both Reiki organizations and major hospitals. Yes, testing has just begun but it is inevitable that larger, more controlled experiments will follow in light of the fact that Reiki and other holistic treatments have been found to be "beneficial" in healing during surgery and in treating cancer patients. We're talking about promoting healing here, not killing children.
If preliminary studies show positive results, more intensive studies will be conducted. The purpose of this article is to call attention to one of the first organized studies of holistic healing. As Reiki treatments in hospitals continues to "baffle" traditional medicine, larger studies will be conducted. In the meantime, more and more hospitals are choosing to implement Reiki treatments. Why? I guess those peer review articles and "uncontrolled" tests speak volumes.
My husband and I both do Reiki. We treat one another at various times. I loved your article. It is such a great way to offer relief from pain and discomfort all without meds. Thanks
Starstream- so many people practice reiki at home giving treatments to family members and even pets. It's amazing and rewarding when we learn that those treated do feel better, or heal faster because of it. Etheric, or vibrational medicine is pretty powerful and it's good to know that research into "why" it works is being given serious attention. Thanks!
still more to come from medical & science to explain the relation of normal life with meditation, 6th sense , intuition, prayers that how these things help a human to live cool & calm & allow any human to develop its spiritual aspect of its own life....
KapilSathe - I'm not psychic, but I would venture to "predict" that within 50 years, modern science will acknowledge the validity of all the subjects you mention. Thank you for commenting.
We already know that it doesn't work beyond placebo. We also know that people need the scientific method to avoid being fooled (as much as one can). You folks have yet to realize both of those facts.
i am a reiki healer and have ha d many possative tesults with useing it in all feilds of healingxxblessed be xx
that´s exactly what I´ve always wanted to do! Give Reiki in a Hospital (I´m a nurse in Germany), but how to do that? How to approach the hospital, the patients? Maybe the time has come know! Thanks for reminding and empowering me!
jackie - Thank you for sharing your experience with Reiki!
Jul - That's so great that you want to bring Reiki to hospitals in Germany. I would begin by contacting the Center For Reiki Research. Their website can be found thru Google. Also, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City has many Reiki treatment programs and they can also be contacted by e-mail. Check out their website to find the correct contact. Good Luck. Namaste.
I found this article very interesting- recently went to several sessions of Reiki myself and have found them to be extremely beneficial. Not sure why some folks seem to be so angry about it and adamant that it's not "real," when at the very least it doesn't seem to be hurting, and at best has been so positive for so many! Looking forward to further research touting the wonderful effects of energy healing.
Dear Green Lotus; I so enjoyed your article, I was linked to it by one of my FaceBookFriends. In reading some of the comments, where they say that "The Churches of The CHRISTian Faith" have refuted this practice. I say that they are refuting their own FAITH in CHRIST's teachings. For those of you who need backup from The WORD of GOD please refer to these BIBLE [Basic Instructions Before Life Everlasting].
Act_8:18 (CNT-SD-(eng)) But when had seen Simon, that through the laying of the hands of the apostles is being given the spirit, he brought to them money,
1Ti_4:14 (CNT-SD-(eng)) Neglect not the gift which (is) in then, this which was given to thee through prophecy and the laying on of the hands of the elders.
2Ti_1:6 (CNT-SD-(eng)) Because of this I cause thee to remember for thee to revive the grace of God, which (is) in thee through the laying on of my hands.
Mar_6:5 (HRB) And He could do no work of power there, except He performed healing on a few infirm ones laying on His hands.
Mar_8:23 (HRB) And having taken hold of the blind one's hand, He led him forth outside the village. And spitting into his eyes, laying His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
Luk_4:40 (HRB) And the sun sinking, all, as many as had sick ones with various diseases, brought them to Him. And laying hands on each one of them, He healed them.
Act_8:18 (HRB) But when Simon Magus saw that the Holy Spirit is given through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, he offered them money,
Act_28:8 (HRB) And it happened the father of Publius was lying down, suffering from fevers and dysentery; to whom Paul, entering and praying, laying on his hands, cured him.
1Ti_4:14 (HRB) Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given to you through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the Elderhood.
2Ti_1:6 (HRB) For this reason I remind you to stir up the gift of YAHWEH which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Heb_6:2 (HRB) and for the doctrine of baptism, and for the laying on of hands, and for the resurrection from the dead, and for the eternal judgment ?
Act_8:18 (KJV) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
1Ti_4:14 (KJV) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Heb_6:2 (KJV) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Act_8:18 (KJV+) AndG1161 when SimonG4613 sawG2300 thatG3754 throughG1223 laying onG1936 of theG3588 apostles'G652 handsG5495 theG3588 HolyG40 GhostG4151 was given,G1325 he offeredG4374 themG846 money,G5536
1Ti_4:14 (KJV+) NeglectG272 notG3361 theG3588 giftG5486 that is inG1722 thee,G4671 whichG3739 was givenG1325 theeG4671 byG1223 prophecy,G4394 withG3326 the laying onG1936 of theG3588 handsG5495 of theG3588 presbytery.G4244
Heb_6:2 (KJV+) Of the doctrineG1322 of baptisms,G909 andG5037 of laying onG1936 of hands,G5495 andG5037 of resurrectionG386 of the dead,G3498 andG2532 of eternalG166 judgment.G2917
Act_8:18 (Lamsa NT) And when Semon saw that the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of the apostlesÆ hands, he offered them money,
1Ti_4:14 (Lamsa NT) Do not neglect the gift that you have, which was given to you by prophecy, and by virtue of the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Heb_6:2 (Lamsa NT) And for the doctrine of baptisms, and for the laying on of hands, and for the resurrection of the dead and for eternal judgment?
Act_8:18 (TRC) When Simon saw that thorow laying on of the apostles' hands on them, the holy ghost was given: he offered them money saying:
1Ti_4:14 (TRC) Despise not(Be not negligent) the gift that is in thee, which was given thee thorow prophecy, and with laying on of the hands of a senior.(an elder.)
Heb_6:2 (TRC) of baptism, of doctrine, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection from death,(resurrection of the dead) and of eternal judgement.
Act_8:18 (Wesley's) And Simon seeing that thro' laying on of the hands of the apostles the Holy Ghost was given,
1Ti_4:14 (Wesley's) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
2Ti_1:6 (Wesley's) Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, to stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the laying on of my hands.
Heb_6:2 (Wesley's) and of faith in God, Of the doctrine of baptisms and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Act_8:18 (WTNT) ¶ When Simon saw that thorow laying on of the Apostles' hands on them, the holy ghost was given: he offered them money saying:
1Ti_4:14 (WTNT) Despise not the gift that is the thee, which was given thee thorow prophecy, and with laying on of the hands of a senior.
Heb_6:2 (WTNT) of baptism, of doctrine, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection from death, and of eternal judgement.
Concordant Literal Version
Nehemiah 1 verse found 5 matches
Luke 2 verses found 7 matches
Coptic New Testament-Southern Dialect-(eng)
Mark 1 verse found 3 matches
Acts 1 verse found 4 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
2 Timothy 1 verse found 5 matches
Hebraic Roots Bible
Mark 2 verses found 6 matches
Luke 1 verse found 3 matches
Acts 3 verses found 11 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
2 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
Hebrews 1 verse found 4 matches
KJV
Acts 1 verse found 3 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
Hebrews 1 verse found 9 matches
KJV+
Acts 1 verse found 3 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
Hebrews 1 verse found 9 matches
Lamsa NT (Holy Bible from the Ancient Eastern Text: Aramaic Of The Peshitta)
Acts 1 verse found 3 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 5 matches
Hebrews 1 verse found 5 matches
Tyndale (Rogers Coverdale) Bible
Acts 1 verse found 3 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
Hebrews 1 verse found 9 matches
Wesley's New Testament 1755
Acts 1 verse found 4 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
2 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
Hebrews 1 verse found 7 matches
William Tyndale New Testament
Acts 1 verse found 3 matches
1 Timothy 1 verse found 4 matches
Hebrews 1 verse found 8 matches
One year ago Reiki changed my life forever in the most positive way possible, and there has been one change after another in my life through the training of Reiki and the help it gives myself and others daily is really unexplainable. When I try to describe this to people, especially those of close minded faiths (such as my Pentecostal family) there is this look of saying "Your nuts". When I read the last comment here, and the composition of Scriptures I was so happy to see this collection before me. Thanks to whoever it was that did this. THere have been different times that different Scriptures came to me of this very nature, and I have thought --THIS is what they had a grasp on so many years ago, yet those who believe it today are considered to "be out there"!!!
My personal story of how Reiki changed, and is continuing to change me is something that cannot be disputed :) I have gratitude in my heart daily for it coming into my life, and CHOOSING me to be a facilitator of such a wonderful gift.
Namaste to All :)
seekingpeace91 - Much thanks for your kind words and for expressing your positive viewpoint. The "fact" that Reiki programs are growing in hospitals worldwide should be proof enough that it has benefits. Those who only place merit on today's scientific methods of testing and measurement are living inside the box. Right now Reiki (and all paranormal experiences) pose a threat to what is accepted. To accept metaphysical theories (even to develop better means of testing) threatens what we today accept as being real, true, and comfortable. Thanks for commenting!
CATHEE58 - Wow! You have done your homework regarding biblical mention of energy healing. I know many readers will be thanking you for it.
Reiki, as you know is not a religion, nor does it advocate belief in any one God; however, for some it is as mysterious as religious faith. Reiki is falls within the category of energy and vibrational medicine which I would venture to guess will be one of the noted sciences of the future. Much thanks!
Becky - It's nice to see that there are so many positive comments about Reiki on this Hub. It looks like your life has benefited greatly in spite of what others may think!
I think we are on the brink of a new acceptance when it comes to energy medicine...even paranormal experiences in general. Yes, people are benefiting and hospitals are finding a close relationship between our emotions and healing. With all this interest, new scientific studies are bound to emerge with positive results that will provide the proof so many skeptics require. Namaste.
Reiki's love towards the receiver is unconditional, which is why it is called "Mother" reiki.
All those who think reiki is not real..please take time to realise it is God's most powerful tool sent to us to help us realise what it means to feel the wamth of the Lord... help yourself and the people in need of true love!!!
This is great! Finally maybe- just maybe- Reiki will be accepted by the medical world at last! It' s about time they realize Reiki may be needed by ill people!
Keep up!
Great article and comprehensive list of hospitals offering this amazing healing modality, I have been practicing this highly effective modality for 7 years now and am always amazed at the profound effects that people experience during and after a session. Wonderful that it is being accepted and now will be even more available to those who truly need it.
Love & gratitude
Lee-Ann Connolly
www.thebodytalkcenteroc.com
I just picked up a brochure over here in Germany the other day and there is a Japanese Reiki Center down in Bavaria (Dachau) that charges about $16,000 for Reiki Teacher. I'm just concerned that with Reiki coming more to the forefront that licensing will be enacted and that fees will get out of hand.
Sri - Thank you for commenting and Namaste.
Noel- It is in the beginning stages and hopefully we will see more testing in the future. I believe it will begin with the hospital environment.
Lee-Ann - Much thanks for your kind words and for contributing to the conversation. :)
Jerry- Wow...that is pretty outrageous. I would contact the center for Reiki training (a US organization) as they will be able to direct you to Reiki classes in your area that are priced within reason. Namaste.
i have been a reiki master for a decade and teach all levels for free (usually i get gifts, or help i need ; i have chronic pain i control with meditation, yoga and reiki). $16000 is outrageous for something you can learn in a day!!! it is the reiki itself that teaches/ empowers you, not the teacher. look on the internet and put ads on your local sites . the idea that people do not appreciate reiki if they do not pay is absolute rubbish; i attune mentally, terminally and chronically ill people often. also dogs horses, trees, and a chicken! troubled animals of all kinds respond well to reiki. i choose not to seek reward but to feel blessed. my payment is the blissy feeling and the fun.
marion - Thanks for contributing here. I have discovered that Reiki practitioners have many different viewpoints on charging for service as well as setting rates for training. It really is up to the individual, but I do wonder who would be willing to pay large sums of money for training. Maybe airfare is included! :) May you have many "blissy feelings". Cheers and Namaste.
To make a study double blind one could take a group of people who have never been attuned to Reiki and randomly attune half of them and do a sham attunement to the other half, then randomly assign them to patients and compare the results.
I use and love Reiki did me a power of good when I hurt my back.
Great Hub
I love to use and practice Reiki. Great article and very helpful!
Denise - Thanks for the visit and for sharing.
I wonder if I can translate this article to put it on a page in Spanish, acknowledging authorship and attaching the link to this website... I would appreciate your permission!!
Natalia - That's a wonderful idea. Thanks for your efforts! Please use the link http://hubpages.com/_glhm/profile/Green+Lotus
It is my home page and shows all my hubs including those related to Reiki and natural healing modalities.
Thanks! I will give you the link when it is ready!
As a Reiki practitioner and teacher I always welcome articles of that caliber. Thank you for sharing.
Ysee - You're welcome! Reiki is growing and it seems more professional journalists as well as health care practitioners are promotion Reiki with positive reviews and noteworthy healthcare programs. Thanks!
Very informative Hub on a subject many people question. When I began massage school in 2000 I didn't believe in the energetic field many of my peers spoke of. I had a B.S. and believed that if math, chemistry, or physics couldn't explain it with an equation then it didn't exist. As I began working on people I had several experiences I couldn't explain. One instance I was massaging an arm and when I reached the elbow I instantly felt like I would vomit. I moved away and the feeling went away. The scientist in me had to go back and see if it was a fluke. My hands went back to the elbow and the feeling returned. The energetic field is very real and I'm happy the scientific community is taking steps to validate it. Voted up and useful! : )
Jennifer - Thanks for telling us about your experience. Although I have never before known anyone to experience the same, it makes sense! Many people are empathic and feel the pain of others. Feeling nauseous may imply the patient's ailment relates to disease within the stomach, intestines or the joints.
it has amazing results that i have never ever examined to the people around me when i treated them with reiki they felt a natural change in thier lives. i hope so this vital energy really works for treatment of any kind of ailment or disorder in the body if any one wants to have relaxation in his life he or she can contact us for appointment. nabeel@ibrainpowers.com
nabeel - There are hundreds of thousands (or more) Reiki practitioners offering Reiki treatments and lessons around the world. It is really growing exponentially for the highest good of all. Namaste.
Green Lotus, when a Reiki practitioner spends a lot of time on one area of the body, does that mean that area needs physical help, or is it a spiritual issue? For example, could time on the left ear be helping a potential ear infection coming on, or does it have something to do with the feminine side of the person and symbolizing "listening?" Or could it be both?
seekingpeace- I studied the Usui school of Reiki which teaches that this healing energy treatment acts on all levels - physical, emotional (psychological) and spiritual. A trained Reiki practitioner who has receive the attunements visualizes or traces one or more Reiki symbols that correspond to all of those levels. It is not necessary for the practitioner (or you for that matter) figure out the source of your ailment. Your body already knows that intuitively. Reiki helps your body to heal what needs to be healed so I would not be too concerned about the cause.
As a side note...Many holistic and medical practitioners believe our emotions, and even some of our actions (like being a poor listener) can manifest over time as a physical ailment. Thanks for visiting and Namaste.
You write:
"The results within the Reiki treatment group showed a lowering of these levels including heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. These positive results led the team to recommend further, larger studies to look at the biological effects of Reiki treatment."
Translated that means:
"We have found nothing too promising and would like to take a closer look to get more funds, so we won't run out of funds. And we didn't even care to compare the Reiki-results to those of the other groups [at least your hub doesn't show it].
Your hub is misleading people in the way that it promises results that prove the efficacy of Reiki when it actually isn't showing any results. It is too vague to say, that because some people at a hospital experiment with it, it must be working. And as any study financed or even executed by the "Center For Reiki Research" is clearly biased (that's like Coca Cola supporting studies that prove how healthy it's beverages are for kids and adolescences) anything they promote has to be reviewed thoroughly. Please note that I didn't write "rejected". Like one commenter here cited the outcome of one of the other mentioned studies, clearly indicating the same as I wrote in my initial sentences, "results" presented are not results found. Usually they are taken out of context and put in another one to prove a point that has already been made befor writing this text, namely that Reiki works.
Well, in the end it is only midleading those who are already mislead [of course only from my point of view] as it it mostly the case with these controversial topics. So I wouldn't even go further to argument against Reiki. There is an excellent hub on this topic already that is worth reading if you are truly open minded, which is seldom in the esoteric community. I write from more than 20 years of experience with many esoterical treatments and philosophies and having been a fanatic of many of those things myself and among others a having been a Reiki Master and Trainer myself, so I might be a bit like an ex-smoker among smokers. So, please forgive my harshness. In the grand scheme of our 74 years of existence it is not that important at all.
I do however like the fact that you have accepted the more critical comments here and will stop my own criticism right here.
Here is the link to that hub I've spoken about:
http://wordscribe43.hubpages.com/_denkmuskel/hub/W
Have a good time. Mk
Denkmuskel- THank you for your comment and for expressing your point of view on the subject of the reiki study. I have found that the majority of scientific studies are either funded or conducted by organizations that have a vested interest in the subject. What does impress me regarding reiki studies is that highly reputable hospitals now offer reiki treatments and confirm a level of effectiveness high enough to merit continued services.
Anyone can test out the effectiveness of reiki to see whether it is a worthwhile method of alternative supportive healing. Namaste.
Reiki practitioner- Thanks for the visit.
I believe that Reiki stimulates the healing power of our parasympathetic nervous system and allows the practitioner to assist the client to go into a deep meditative state even if they have never practiced meditation before. Thus allowing the clients own healing powers to take over. It also addresses the chronic touch deprivation and disconnectedness to others in our current society. Also interesting is an article I read on how possibly our DNA can communicate with each other when we touch. The healthy DNA can remind the damaged DNA how to heal.
Hi, I've been studying various forms of reiki over the last 4 years, and have recently qualified as a Reiki Master. I've opened my own healing practice, and I've seen first hand the hugely positive benefits of Reiki. wonderful article - thanks for writing! I'll be sharing on my fb page - www.facebook.com/thehealingroom
Namaste,
Fiona.
Fiona- Congratulations on achieving your Master level in Reiki training and thanks for sharing this article! Namaste.
I am very grateful to my Reiki Teacher Samina Zafar who introduced me Reiki and healed my backache and other emotional problem, I am a big admirer of Reiki.
Madiha- Thanks for honoring your teacher here and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm glad to hear Reiki healed your ailments.
Great article on Reiki. you brought me up to date on this. Thank you for sharing.
You are most welcome Jaya.
Of course it's effective in treating stress et al. At it's most basic, reiki is human contact and we all need that to feel like we belong. It's also essentially love, someone - usually a stranger - sending you unconditional love and willing you to get well. If that doesn't make you feel better about humanity and in yourself I don't know what would! :)
Johnny - I love your comment. Not many people describe the Reiki experience as you have, but it hold true. Thanks for the visit!
Joseph - That is very interesting and I would not doubt it. Many doctors would be in agreement too. Thanks for commenting!
I've often thought that alternative healing has a lot more to it because it's a preventive method. I just wish that mainstream accepts it more, rather than have it on the fringes of our collective consciousness.
reagu - Many people agree with your thinking. Thanks for commenting.
It is possible that the Catholic Bishops think it is Buddhist
pippy - Thanks for commenting. I never heard that theory :)
dohn121 Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
What a fascinating article on Reiki, Green Lotus. I think that the biggest hurdle Reiki faces is adaptation and utilization of its proven methods is money and conflicts with religion. Both industry look at it as a threat that contradicts with their aims which is money and faith respectively. Acupuncture has only recently been accepted as a viable form of healing by some health care companies, yet it's been practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years! In time, Reiki will be accepted, despite what these powerful organizations think.
Great hub Green Lotus!