What is Reiki, and How Can it Help?

In our search for holistic well-being and inner harmony, many ancient practices are being revisited to complement modern medicine. One such practice that has gained widespread popularity is Reiki. Rooted in Japanese tradition, Reiki is a form of energy healing that aims to balance the body’s life force energy, promoting physical, mental, and emotional wellness. The word “Reiki” consists of two Japanese words: “Rei,” which means Universal Life Energy, and “Ki,” representing the life force that flows through all living things. In a Reiki session, practitioners use their hands to channel and transfer positive energy to the recipient, aiding in relaxation and promoting natural healing. Reiki sessions are available at Attuned Therapy + Wellness, located in Kincardine, Ontario. In this blog post, we will explore the top five benefits of Reiki sessions, supported by scientific studies that demonstrate its significant impact.

The Top Benefits of Reiki:

1. Stress Reduction and Relaxation

In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an ever-present companion for many of us. Chronic stress can lead to a wide range of health issues, including heart disease, depression, and immune system dysfunction. Reiki sessions offer a sanctuary of calmness, enabling individuals to experience deep relaxation and release pent-up stress. An overactive sympathetic nervous system often causes us to feel tense, unsafe, and triggered, which in turn makes it hard to respond calmly and enjoy our life. A study published in the Journal of Pain Management Nursing (1) demonstrated that participants who received Reiki treatments experienced a significant reduction in stress levels and increased overall sense of well-being. Studies have also shown that Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system (2), measured by decreased heart rate and blood pressure and increased heart rate variability.

2. Pain Management and Physical Healing

One of the fundamental applications of Reiki is pain management and physical healing. Reiki’s ability to improve the body’s energy flow is believed to accelerate the natural healing process. A systematic review conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) (1) found promising evidence suggesting that Reiki may be effective in reducing pain intensity, particularly in those suffering from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and cancer. Another study comparing reiki with physiotherapy in treating lower back pain found Reiki to be more effective in reducing pain intensity than drug therapy. It also found reiki to be just as effective as physiotherapy, and was actually more cost effective and provided faster results (3).

3. Improved Mental Clarity and Focus

Mental clarity and focus are essential for productivity and overall cognitive function. Reiki sessions can help clear mental blockages and promote a sense of mental well-being. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (4) revealed that participants who underwent Reiki treatment demonstrated better cognitive function, memory, and mental clarity compared to the control group. Many of my clients report feeling relaxed, less anxious, and having less overactive thoughts after a Reiki session. Reiki is an excellent addition to talk therapy approaches, as it provides an opportunity to integrate healing and combine mind, body and spirit.

4. Emotional Balance and Mood Enhancement

Emotional balance is crucial for maintaining mental health and resilience. Reiki’s energy-balancing effects can aid in emotional healing, reducing anxiety, depression, and promoting a positive outlook on life. A study published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Psychiatry (5) reported that individuals who received Reiki experienced a significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to the control group. A study in 2013 performed in an academic cancer center found a 50% reduction in self-reported distress, anxiety, depression, pain and fatigue in cancer patients after receiving reiki treatment. Reiki is a somatic approach for clients to heal from past life events and calm their nervous system without the risk of re-traumatization through exposure to painful memories. In addition to reducing anxiety, many clients also find that Reiki sessions can help with their sleep.

5. Strengthened Immune System

A robust immune system is vital for protecting the body against illnesses and infections. Reiki sessions are believed to enhance the flow of energy throughout the body and reduce stress, leading to improved immune function. While explaining how energy medicine through scientific research has been difficult to assess, new methods are recognizing Reiki’s powerful benefits. In a 2021 study used darkfield microscopy to assess a Reiki treatment’s effects on red blood cells. It found a statistically significant decrease in negative emotions, as well as a change in the red blood cell’s size/shape, spatial distance, and motility (6). This demonstrates that Reiki may have the ability to positively impact our circulatory system, which is closely tied to our immune system. Another small study investigating the use of Reiki in nurses diagnosed with Burnout Syndrome found that Reiki treatment can create an immediate and significant improvement in secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and diastolic blood pressure (7). Though more evidence is necessary to confirm, it appears promising that the benefits of Reiki appear to extend to our immune function and physiology. Reiki is an excellent complementary therapy to use in combination with the medical system.

Are You Curious About the Benefits of Reiki and How it May Help You?

Reiki sessions offer a multitude of benefits for both the body and mind. As more people seek natural and holistic approaches to complement conventional medicine, Reiki’s popularity continues to grow. Scientific studies have demonstrated the statistically significant impact of Reiki on reducing stress, managing pain, improving mental clarity, enhancing emotional well-being, and strengthening the immune system. Whether you are seeking relaxation, healing, or spiritual growth, Reiki has the potential to unlock the natural healing power within you, promoting overall well-being and inner balance. As a nurse psychotherapist, I am pleased to see that Reiki is becoming more prevalent in hospital systems and that nursing researchers are leading many of the scientific studies currently available. Nurses have been involved in therapeutic touch for hundreds of years, and the benefits of Reiki energy healing appear to expand on this even more.

Reiki can be used as a complementary therapy to other medical treatments, or in combination with psychotherapy sessions to aid in integration, processing and nervous system regulation. While results and experiences are unique to each person, everyone has found our reiki sessions to be relaxing and beneficial in some way. Are you interested in trying a reiki session for yourself? Book your session at Attuned Therapy + Wellness in Kincardine using our easy to use online booking platform.

References:

1. Thrane S, Cohen SM. “Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations.” Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2014.
2. McManus DE. “Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy.” J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017
3. Jahantiqh F, Abdollahimohammad A, Firouzkouhi M, Ebrahiminejad V. “Effects of Reiki Versus Physiotherapy on Relieving Lower Back Pain and Improving Activities Daily Living of Patients With Intervertebral Disc Hernia.” J Evid Based Integr Me, 2018.
4. Wardell DW, Engebretson J. “Biological correlates of Reiki touch healing.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2001.
5. Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. “Effects of Reiki in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.” International Journal of Mental Health and Psychiatry, 2008.
6. Bowman, J. “Reiki is Associated with Changes in Blood Cell Quality: A Pilot Study Using Darkfield Microscopy.” Energy Psychology, 2021.
7. Diaz-Rodriguez, L., Arroyo-Morales, M., Cantarero-Villaneuva, I., et al. “The Application of Reiki in Nurses Diagnosed with Burnout Syndrome Has Beneficial Effects on Concentration of Salivary IgA and Blood Pressure.” Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem, 2011.