It is not often a complementary modality is found to work well on both emotional and physical levels, but reiki is one of those therapies. Reiki is a healing treatment which acts on many levels, and some of the health benefits of reiki are truly amazing.
Reiki aids the body in releasing stress and tension, promotes deep relaxation, and accelerates the body’s self-healing abilities.
Reiki is designed to trigger the body’s relaxation response and reduce stress. Most ailments today are linked to stress, be it environmental stress, work stress, or emotional stress. Stress can lead to irregular heart rhythms that could result in angina or stroke. Stress triggers gastrointestinal problems because hormones such as leptin and ghrelin regulate the brain and stomach. Eating disorders are a common consequence of stress. Mood disorders and many psychological problems arise because of stress.
Reiki promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and symptom relief to improve overall health and wellbeing. It can bring on a meditative state, foster tissue and bone healing after injury or surgery, stimulate the body’s immune system, promote natural self-healing, relieve pain and tension, and support the wellbeing of people receiving traditional medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and kidney dialysis.
Reiki reduces depression and anxiety by affecting mood and helping to relieve pain.
Several studies have demonstrated benefits in overall mood with reiki. Studies show that once mood improves, the improvements are accompanied by reduced anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion. In a 2010 study, researchers looked at the effects of reiki on older adults experiencing pain, depression, or anxiety. The participants reported an improvement of their physical symptoms, mood, and wellbeing. They also reported more feelings of relaxation, increased curiosity, and enhanced levels of self-care.
Reiki may help to improve your mood by relieving anxiety and depression. According to results from a 2011 study, people who had reiki felt greater mood benefits compared to people who didn’t have reiki. The study participants who had six 30-minute sessions over a period of two to eight weeks showed improvements in their mood.
Reiki increases mobility in cases of shoulder and back pain and assists in pain management.
An interesting 2013 study, which compared the effectiveness of improving range of motion through physical therapy and reiki, found that both showed the same effect in improving the range of motion of the affected part. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of reiki and on range of motion may arise from alterations in local joint or muscle structures rather than the pain system.
In a 2015 study, researchers looked at the effects of reiki on women following cesarean delivery. They found that reiki significantly reduced pain and anxiety and the respiratory rate in women 1-2 days after cesarean delivery. The need for and number of analgesic painkillers was also reduced, and reiki didn’t have an effect on blood pressure or pulse rate.
A 2018 study compared the use of reiki to physiotherapy for relieving lower back pain in people with herniated disks. Both treatments were found to be equally effective at relieving pain, but reiki was more cost-effective and, in some cases, resulted in faster treatment.
Reiki affects infection and inflammation by supporting the immune system and assisting the body in cleansing itself from toxins.
A hypertensive patient was being treated for hepatitis C in one intriguing study in 2011. The side effect of the treatment was anemia and neutropenia (severe deficiency of neutrophils, which is a type of white blood cell, leading to susceptibility to infection). Reiki therapy was administered to him to relieve anxiety and to enhance his sense of well-being. Doctors noted that his neutrophil count and hematocrit improved significantly, which in turn improved bone marrow function, so much so that the patient was infection-free even after one year of treatment.
Reiki helps to reduce blood pressure and improves indices of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, affects a substantial and increasing percentage of the world population. Physical activity is perhaps the best way you can improve the outcomes of metabolic syndrome, but reiki too has shown to be equally effective.
Sedentary individuals, at highest risk for the metabolic syndrome, may be unable to participate in conventional types of physical activity, such as strength training and gym-based exercises. Noninvasive therapies (mind-body modalities) are simple, economical, easy to learn, and can be practiced easily by individuals who may experience potential limitations in mobility. Although the researchers in this 2011 study did not specifically mention reiki, they supported the potential clinical effectiveness of mind-body therapies as supportive care modalities for management of metabolic syndrome, especially in insulin resistance and high blood pressure.
Reiki aids in better sleep, reduces side effects of drugs, and helps the body to recover from drug therapy after surgery and chemotherapy.
Like reflexology, reiki cannot cure cancer. But reflexology and reiki can effectively treat associated symptoms of cancer, such as depression, pain, and fatigue. Cancer researchers reported in a 2015 study that treatment with reiki for 5 consecutive days, followed by a week without treatment and then 2 additional reiki sessions, could significantly decrease tiredness, pain, and anxiety, and improve quality of life.
The positive benefits of reiki can enhance your overall well-being. Researchers in a small 2016 study found that reiki was helpful in improving the quality of life for women with cancer. Patients who had reiki showed improvements to their sleep patterns, self-confidence, and depression levels. They noted a sense of calm, inner peace, and relaxation.
Reiki raises the vibrational frequency of the body and helps spiritual growth and emotional clearing.
Reiki not only heals physically, but it can also heal emotionally. Reiki can enhance the capability to love and to empathize, as it enables one to deeply connect with people. It can strengthen and heal relationships. Reiki brings about inner peace and harmony, the essential qualities of spiritual growth. It “cleans” and clears emotions.
Reiki has become an accepted presence in hospitals and clinics, perhaps because its healing approach is non-traumatic and easily integrated with conventional therapies.
Always consult your medical practitioner(s) if you plan to use reiki to help with any medical condition. Remember that reiki is a complementary therapy and should be used together with a conventional medical treatment plan.
For suggestions in talking to your practitioner(s), the National Cancer Institute has created the pamphlet Talking About Complementary and Alternative Medicine With Health Care Providers: A Workbook and Tips to help.
