In a pilot study of 16 cancer patients, participants in the Reiki group showed significant improvements in quality of life. They had lower tiredness, pain and anxiety scores compared to the rest-only (control) group. In addition, these beneficial effects were maintained for at least 1 week after 5 Reiki sessions. A full Reiki session is offered to a fully clothed recipient who is lying on a treatment table or sitting comfortably leaning on a chair.
An interesting study published in the journal Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine compared the effectiveness of improving the range of motion of ROM through physical therapy and Reiki and found that both showed the same effect in improving the range of motion of the affected part. Therefore, the length of time a Reiki lasts the effects of a Reiki healing session is relative to the amount of healing need. Reiki is linked to a number of physical and emotional health benefits, including better sleep, improved mood and pain relief in published studies. Professionals say that Reiki can allow relaxation, reduce pain, speed healing and improve some symptoms.
Reiki experts point out that, although this energy cannot be measured with modern scientific techniques, many of those who tune in to it can feel it. Research suggests that Reiki helps the body return to a state of relaxation, allowing it to better heal from damage caused by stress, injury, or illness. Reiki is cumulative and even people who don't notice much the first time tend to have progressively deeper experiences if they continue. Baldwin, PhD, Reiki researcher and professor of physiology at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Reiki is a form of complementary and alternative medicine; there is evidence that it can reduce daily stress and help manage some chronic diseases. The only time when practicing Reiki can be dangerous is if the practitioner is not well trained or is not actually practicing Reiki. However, people living with certain health conditions may be interested in trying Reiki along with their usual treatment.
