Reiki Healing

There are numerous healing techniques practiced in cultures around the world. In ancient Japan, Reiki was a healing technique used for stress reduction and relaxation which leads to healing. This technique believes that there is an unseen life force energy that flows through all living organisms. Also, people who have a low life force energy are more prone to falling sick or contracting diseases. In this technique, a Reiki practitioner unblocks the flow of energy in the patient’s body.

The word Reiki is made up of two Japanese words:

1. Rei – meaning God’s Wisdom or Higher Power
2. Ki – meaning life force energy.

Reiki and Cancer Treatment

Since Reiki practitioners believe that most ailments are caused due to a restricted flow of energy (Ki) in the body, in the treatment of cancer, Reiki is primarily used in two ways:

• Supportive therapy and
• Palliative therapy

Over the years, there have been multiple studies done on Reiki’s effectiveness in battling cancer. Here are some reports:

1. Year 2003 – Reiki provided short-term pain relief and improved quality of life.
2. Year 2004 – Reiki Improved depression and stress.
3. Year 2007 – Reduced feelings of fatigue and improved quality of life during cancer chemotherapy.
4. Year 2011 – Patients treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer found a positive trend for improvement in anxiety after Reiki treatment.
5. Year 2011 – Reiki therapy was significantly raised the comfort and well-being of patients post-therapy. Also, the sham Reiki placebo was statistically significant.
6. Year 2016 – Breast-cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy found that both Reiki and companion groups reported improvements in quality of life and mood greater than those seen in the usual care group.
7. Year 2016 – A control group receiving typical care demonstrated greater levels of pain, stress and fatigue compared to those receiving distant Reiki sessions.

Remember, there is still no evidence that Reiki alone can cure cancer. However, it is suggested as a supportive therapy especially for patient who have undergone surgery. Further, it is also a good palliative therapy.

Key Points

• Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation.
• Practitioners consider restricted flow of Ki (energy) in the body to be the precursor to disease.
• In cancer care, Reiki tends to be used as a palliative or supportive therapy.
• Noting the methodological limitations highlighted in reviews, we list available research documenting effects of Reiki in people with cancer.
• Reiki is not believed to have the potential to cause serious direct harm

You can find Reiki Healers here: Life Positive – https://www.lifepositive.com/therapists/reiki-healer.

References & More Information

1. Credit: Beyond Conventional Care Therapies
2. ZenOnco.io Integrative Oncology Cancer Care
3. Olson K, Hanson J, Mchaud M. A phase II trial of Reiki for the management of pain in advanced cancer patients. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2003;26:990-7.
4. Shore AG. Long-term effects of energetic healing on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2004;10(3):42-8
5. Tsang KL, Carlson LE, Olson K. Pilot crossover trial of Reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2007;6:25-35.
6. Beard C, Stason WB et al. Effects of complementary therapies on clinical outcomes in patients being treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Cancer 2011 Jan; 117: 96-102.
7. Catlin A, Taylor-Ford RL. Investigation of standard care versus sham Reiki placebo versus actual Reiki therapy to enhance comfort and well-being in a chemotherapy infusion center. Oncology Nursing Forum 2011 May; 38: E212-E220.
8. Orsak G, Stevens AM, Brufsky A, Kajumba M, Dougall AL. The effects of Reiki therapy and companionship on quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy. Journal of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015 Jan; 20: 20-7.
9. Demir M, Can G, Kelam A, Aydiner A. Effects of distant Reiki on pain, anxiety and fatigue in oncology patients in Turkey: a pilot study. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2015; 16: 4859-62.
10. http://www.cam-cancer.org/The-Summaries/Mind-body-interventions/Reiki
11. CAM-Cancer: Reiki
12. TRC Natural Medicines Reiki Therapy
13. Susan G. Komen: Reiki