Reiki, a complementary or alternative medicine, is believed to provide physical as well as emotional and spiritual benefits. Practitioners and patients claim that reiki benefits include reduced stress and anxiety, pain relief, and spiritual clarity during times of emotional distress. Accelerated healing after injury or surgery as well as a reduction in drug and chemotherapy side effects have also been attributed to reiki treatment. As the therapy is noninvasive, reiki can be performed on almost any patient, including children and even pets.
One of the primary reiki benefits is the reduction of stress and anxiety and the promotion of relaxation. The reduction of stress can relieve many symptoms that are aggravated by increased anxiety, such as pain, headaches, and high blood pressure. The healer uses his or her palms to manipulate the patient’s ki, or life force energy, to promote a sense of calm and well-being.
Stress reduction and relaxation can also help relieve pain, especially if the pain is caused by tense muscles. Tense shoulder muscles, for example, can trigger soreness, headaches, and other maxillofacial pain. Reiki treatment can target the area of pain and help provide relief by unblocking and replenishing the patient’s positive ki.
When a patient is suffering from serious emotional distress, reiki benefits can include bringing mental or spiritual calm. Negative and draining emotions and thoughts are cleared from the body, bringing perspective and clarity. As a result, reiki benefits those in the midst of the grieving process as well as the physically sick or injured.
During times of acute stress, the body produces adrenalin. Adrenalin helps the body respond to trauma but can also lead to tension and fatigue. By calming the body and mind, reiki allows the body’s natural healing abilities to work most effectively. As a result, patients recover more quickly from injury and surgery or illness.
Chemotherapy patients may benefit from reiki sessions. This is because the therapy is believed to help alleviate side effects of cancer treatment. More and more hospitals are offering reiki to patients as a complement to conventional therapies and treatments.
Drug side effects can also be reduced by reiki. Patients who are trying to adjust to a new medication may consider reiki as a way to make the transition easier. Reiki can even be used on the medication itself as well as food and water.
There is no medical consensus with regard to the effectiveness of reiki as a therapy. Practitioners claim that it is effective for almost all ailments and patients. Every patient will experience different reiki benefits and results. Reiki is best performed by a qualified and licensed practitioner who will be assigned a degree, either first, second or master. As with any alternative therapy, patients should consult with a medical professional prior to undergoing a reiki session.