Julianna DeLucia
December 11, 2017
Now is the time for Reiki healing to be integrated into the United States medical system as a complementary practice. Reiki is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. At this time, some hospitals and hospice centers are allowing Reiki treatments to take place in a clinical setting. Integrating Reiki further into the American medical system is a natural progression. Research suggests that Reiki healing is an effective tool for pain management, modulating stress, relieving anxiety, and facilitating relaxation. Further embracing of Reiki as a complementary form of healing in the United States could greatly benefit the American medical practice.
In this paper, I will first define Reiki energy and allopathic medicine. Then, I discuss a brief history of medicine in Japan and the cultural notion of ki. Next, I outline the basic methods of Reiki practice. I will then discuss the origins of Reiki: including history and myth. Furthermore, I examine the history of the medical profession in the United States, and how it lead to a decline of traditional healers. Then, I write about the positive aspects born out of a hard science approach to medicine in America.Then, I talk about the popularity of Reiki in America and make the claims that Reiki is a beneficial practice for pain management, stress reduction, alleviating anxiety, and increasing relaxation. Next, I examine medical studies that help support these claims. Then I acknowledge that further research needs to be done, and why conclusive evidence cannot be drawn from the studies. Finally I present an explanation of Reiki healing through physics and conclude the essay.
To understand Reiki energy I must define some key terms used in this paper. The Japanese word Reiki refers to a healing technique in which a practitioner channels energy to a client to naturally instigate healing. The word “Reiki” is broken up into two parts to further reveal its meaning. “Rei” meaning spirit, air, and “Ki” which often translates to life force energy, power or vitality. In this paper, “allopathic” refers to the conventional scientific approach to medicine in the United States through means of tests and pharmaceutical drugs. Medicine in Japanese culture is shaped around the existence of life force energy in juxtaposition with allopathic medicine.
The first major medical practice in Japan was traditional Chinese medicine. In 1594, Europeans visited Japan promoting Christianity and allopathic medicine. For hundreds of years, Japan learned about European medical practices through Dutch teachings. After 1853, allopathic medical became very popular in Japan. (Isozumi; Izumi 91) Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the meridian system, which is a map of flow of chi/ki energy in the body. Many Asian healing practices view stagnant life force energy as the central component to disease. This vital energy is referred to as ki in Japanese, chi or qui in Chinese, khi in Vietnamese, gi in Korean and prana in Sanskrit. Vital energy is said to flow through all sentient beings. Allopathic medicine is the dominant mode of treatment in current day Japan. However, one cannot deny the cultural acceptance of ki in Japanese culture. Within the context of Japan we do not need science to prove the existence of ki. The traditional healing practices that grew out of China and Japan all acknowledge ki as a fundamental aspect of health. The fact that ki cannot be directly observed by scientists does not mean that ki is illegitimate as it as it has been used by many Asian cultures for thousands of years. Reiki practitioners direct ki to facilitate healing.
The methods of Reiki healing involve manipulating the energetic body and have been taught through language. In Reiki, the practitioner channels ki through the crown of their head into their hands. The healer then uses the energy to manipulate the client’s energy field. This energy complex is often referred to as the subtle body energy system, aura, or biomagnetic field. Reiki practitioners work on repairing the subtle body energy system to increase the flow of ki in the body. Most practitioners in America describe Reiki as a relaxation technique; practitioners are afraid to attribute medical claims to Reiki for fear of legal retribution. The methods of Reiki practice have been passed down through a rich, oral tradition.
The origins of Reiki are subject to some debate, yet the legend is generally told as follows. In nineteenth-century Kyoto, Japan, Dr. Mikau Usi was the head of a Christian seminary. Usui’s students wanted to learn how to heal the sick; however Usui did not possess the knowledge of healing. Leaving his position, he traveled around the world in search of healing wisdom. Along his travels, he came across the Tibetan Sutras in which he discovered the “keys” to healing. Usui passed on his knowledge by initiating and attuning people to Reiki energy. Usui’s disciples bequeathed Reiki healing knowledge to their students by word of mouth for generations. (Wetzel 47)
The birth of the medical profession created a disparaging attitude towards traditional healing practices. In the thirteenth century, the medical profession began to establish itself in Europe through university trained physicians. (Ehrenreich; English 50) During this time, brutal medical procedures such as leeches and bleeding out wounds were employed by graduates of medical school. (Ehrenreich; English 52) However, up until this time, healers were predominantly women who possessed knowledge of health from generations of healers. Most lay practitioners’ methods of practice were gentle and noninvasive such as laying of hands (similar to Reiki) and herbal remedies. (Ehrenreich; English 68) In an attempt to decrease competition in the medical field, the church accused many women healers of being witches often leading to execution: “Witch hunts did not eliminate the lower-class women healer, but they branded her forever as superstitious and possibly malevolent.” (Ehrenreich; English 57) Although the witch hunts happened hundred of years ago, they are still relevant today since the sigma created around women and lay healers carries into contemporary America. Healing modalities such as Reiki and herbalism are often viewed as quackery, because the witch hunts instilled fear around lay healers in European society. The hunts also created the notion that traditional healers were not to be trusted. In America, the stigma around traditional healing increased as science became the only legally recognized model of health (Ehrenreich, English 53-54).
In 1893, Johns Hopkins became the first German-style medical institution in America. The institution centered education around hard science and laboratory experiments as the sole mode of healing. (Ehrenreich; English 80) The Carnegie Foundation and Rockefeller Institute funded Johns Hopkins and other medical institutions with similar practices. (Flexner xvii) Smaller schools that did not conform to the model of Johns Hopkins were shut down as they did not adhere to the standards of the American Medical Profession (Flexner xii). The medical institutions’ curriculum was largely experimental and often harmful to patients due to invasive procedures. The American Medical Profession gained a monopoly of the industry by making it illegal to practice medicine without a license. (Ehrenreich; English 85) To obtain a permit, one had to attend a medical school which was only accessible to rich white males. (Ehrenreich; English 84) In contemporary day, Reiki practitioners, herbalists and other traditional healers cannot make medical claims about their practices as they can be legally reprehended. The history of the medical industry was built on capital gain, sexism, racism, and hard science which in turn caused a decline in traditional healers. (Ehrenreich; English 101) The professionalization of the industry has taken away the rights of lay healers to practice traditions and modalities which have been used for centuries. While the origins of the medical profession are regrettable, some beneficial practices have come out of the medical system in the United States.
Scientific advancements have progressed the development of the medical profession, yet patients often seek care that the industry lacks. Technological advancements, have created helpful tools for diagnosing patients, and drugs that in some cases save lives. Many people appreciate the quantifiable nature of test results and pharmaceutical drugs. However in some cases, patients are misdiagnosed, test results are inconclusive, and drugs are over prescribed. Most people are unhappy spending time in a hospital as the environment is sterile, fluorescent, and dull. When I see an allopathic doctor I find myself wishing they spent more time with me, and asked questions regarding the totality of my health (such as diet, sleep, exercise, stress levels, etc.). I know I am not alone in wanting to feel that my doctor cares about my health and well-being. While positive aspects have come out of recent technological advances in medicine, many patients find themselves seeking out complementary forms of care such as Reiki healing.
Reiki has become increasingly popular in the United States which has allowed the practice to be integrated into mainstream culture, and studied scientifically. Select hospitals now allow nurses to be trained in Reiki healing. Many hospice-centered train volunteers in Reiki. In addition, Reiki is often used as a complementary form of healing through private practitioners. Because Reiki is already being incorporated in medicine, now is the time for Reiki to become further integrated into healthcare. Reiki is gaining momentum in the United States, because people are becoming more aware of holistic treatments. We live in the age of information, and healing knowledge is more accessible than any time before. The expanded awareness of Reiki in the United States has lead to people attempting to quantify Reiki as a scientifically accepted form of healing. While Reiki and other forms of hands-on healing have been examined by scientists, few sources are viewed as conclusive by allopathic doctors. Studies suggest that Reiki is successful at: reducing pain, alleviating stress, lowering feelings of anxiety, and aiding relaxation.
A study published by the Neurological Society of India used Reiki healing to transfer low levels of electromagnetic force (or life force energy) to people with seizure disorders. The sample was chosen at random from people receiving care at the epilepsy clinic of the Department of Neurology, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum. (Kumar; Kurup 2) All fifteen patients in the sample had refractory seizure disorder, and were on a full dose of three or more antiepileptic medications. (Ibid.) The people in the sample were between the age of twenty to thirty-years-old. Patients suffering from other systemic diseases were not included in the study. Three times a week the sample had Reiki-like sessions and also sat for an hour of transcendental meditation. The sample and the control group were on the same diet in order to minimize external factors. At the end of a three month period, blood samples were taken from the sample and the control group that assessed: plasmas HMG CoA reductase, serum magnesium, serum digoxin, and RBC membrane NA+-K+ ATPase activity. They also measured: serum levels of tyrosine, noradrenaline, tryptophan, dopamine, serotonin and quinolinic acid. (Ibid.) The scientists found that the healing treatments altered neuronal activity, and lowered the amount of seizures experienced by epileptic patients. (Kumar; Kurup 3) The study showed changes in the isoprenoid pathways of the brain from Reiki healing and transcendental meditation. (Kumar; Kurup 4) This work demonstrates that Reiki and transcendental meditation have the power to affect neuronal transmission. The study helps support the claim that Reiki helps reduce pain through a decrease in seizure frequency.
A further study was conducted by the University of California Medical Center (UCDMC) in collaboration with California State University, Sacramento. An experimental self-care routine was designed for nurses. The experiments were conducted, because high-stress levels in hospitals lead to a quick turnover rate of nurses. Thirty-five to sixty percent of newly graduated nurses leave their job in the first year. Nurses often experience “burnout,” and are less productive at their job due to stress. (Raingruber; Robinson 1142) Half an hour Reiki sessions were offered to nurses on Thursday evenings before the night shift as well as Thursday and Tuesday mornings. Other nurses in the study chose to attend Yoga, Tai Chi, and Meditation classes. (Raingruber; Robinson 1143) Fifteen nurses received Reiki healing sessions, thirteen practiced yoga, thirteen participated in Tai Chi and eight went to meditation. (Raingruber; Robinson 1145) The nurses were given journals to track their experiences, which were then evaluated. In the journals, the nurses were asked to report feelings or sensations they experienced from the session. As well as describe any alterations they experienced in their nursing practice after the session. (Raingruber; Robinson 1144) The nurses’ journals were anonymously reviewed after three months. Two people analyzed the journals through a phenomenological approach. Common themes reported by the nurses were: greater ability to focus on patient needs, enhanced problem-solving abilities, feelings of relaxation, and notices tingling/pulsing sensations. (Raingruber; Robinson 1146) The study is inconclusive, because of its phenomenal natural. However, the study does indicate that stress rates were reduced in nurses, and that they found the sessions/classes beneficial to their lives. Decreasing stress in the workplace increases the retention rate of nurses and in turn, may improve the quality of healthcare. Hence, the study supports the claim that Reiki is a tool for stress reduction.
A literature review published by the National Institute of Health examined forty articles on Reiki, fully reviewed twelve, and included seven in the review. The purpose of the review was to examine the effectiveness of Reiki on anxiety and pain in adults. (Cohen; Thrane 1) The articles reviewed looked at cancer patients, post-surgical patients, and community-dwelling older adults. (Cohen; Thrane 5) The data sources reviewed were Medline databases, Global Health, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Cochrane, ProQuest, PubMed, and The Center for Reiki Research. (Cohen; Thrane 1) The sample sizes in the seven studies ranged from 16 to 160 subjects with a total of 328 subjects. Two studies examined Reiki healing in adults living in a community, three studied Reiki in a surgical setting, and two looked at cancer patients. (Cohen; Thrane 5) Two studies measured elevated anxiety, two examined pain, and three considered pain as well as anxiety. The studies used a variety of scales and questionnaires to assess levels of pain and anxiety. (Cohen; Thrane 6) Reiki healing decreased the amount of pain and anxiety experienced by patients. (Cohen; Thrane 6-7) The work investigated shows that Reiki can reduce pain and anxiety across different groups of people. The articles in the review contribute to the claim that Reiki is useful for reducing anxiety and pain.
Scientists at the University of Texas conducted a study on the biological effects that Reiki has on the body. The study aimed to test if healing touch effects stress and relaxation. The experiment took place in 1996, on a sample of 23 relatively healthy subjects who received thirty-minute Reiki sessions. (Wardell; Engebretson 439) No one in the sample had experienced Reiki healing before. (Wardell; Engebretson 441) To quantify the amount of stress reduction experienced by the sample scientists measured: salivary IgA, cortisol levels, state anxiety, skin temperature, blood pressure, muscle tension and galvanic skin response (GRS). The scientists saw a significant decrease in blood pressure and reduction of anxiety following the Reiki session. The study suggests changes in the body on biochemical and physiological levels towards relaxation. (Wardell; Engebretson 439) The experiment supports the claim that Reiki creates physical changes in the body, which in turn helps facilitate relaxation.
While these studies provide promising implications for Reiki they are limited in certain aspects. For example, many of the studies used a small sample size, and acquiring the sample took months to years. Timing and length of treatment may have affected the outcome of the studies. (Cohen; Thrane 8) In addition, many Reiki practitioners use different techniques in their sessions, which may have influenced the outcome. Perhaps some Reiki healers are more powerful at producing results. In the United States there is no official certification for Reiki. Since there is no formal curriculum, trainings vary. I am a Reiki practitioner and have studied to the “Reiki Master” level. While my sessions do reflect my Usui/Tibetan Reiki training my intuition predominantly guides the session. In this way no two Reiki sessions of mine are identical. I also practice techniques that no one has taught me, rather they “came to me” while I was practicing. This information is the most powerful to me. As in the legend of Reiki the “keys to healing” were “accessed” rather than taught. I feel that certain Reiki practitioners resonate better with different clients. I attribute a favoring of a practitioner to personality and healing style. In addition, some Reiki practitioners touch the body while others solely work in the energetic field around the body. Personally, I enjoy using a combination of the two while I work. I also assume that there are people in the world calling themselves Reiki practitioners that have never taken a class or received an attunement. Since frauds exist in the healing world, I advise people to reach out to a Reiki practitioner before booking a session to get more information on their healing practice. If Reiki becomes further integrated into American healthcare more people will become educated on how to spot deceptive practices. For the reasons stated above one cannot draw conclusive evidence based on the studies presented.
One does not need to know the energetics of Reiki to receive benefits. As the studies indicated Reiki is useful for pain reduction, stress relief, lowering anxiety and increasing relaxation. Furthermore, there may be benefits to sharing space with another human being as well as physical touch. (Cohen; Thrane 9) Most people enjoy the presence of other humans in their life. The connection between doctors and patients may be a missing link in the allopathic medical system. Reiki healing can provide patients with the presence that is lacking in current medical treatment. A cultural bias exists in the United States that allopathic medicine is the most successful healing path. Just because allopathic medicine has science to quantify it, does not mean that other approaches to healing such as Reiki should be discredited. As presented earlier in the paper, cultures have been discussing the phenomena of ki for thousands of years. One is ignorant to view one form of healing as the “true” way without examining medicine in other historical and cultural contexts. I challenge readers to investigate the collusion of the American medical profession. I am not proposing that the modern medical system be abandoned. Rather, I am suggesting that Reiki energy be incorporated into the U.S. medical practice as a complimentary form of treatment.
While Reiki cannot be measured directly by machines, it may be explainable through physics. Electrons have been theorized to exist in the universe simultaneously at once. (Cohen; Thrane 3) There are also a number of subatomic particles such as neutrinos that scientists have yet to find an explanation. Trillions of neutrinos pass through our bodies every second. (Cho) Particles do not behave in a predictable manner. While they can be in more than one place simultaneously particles are hypothesized to need to exist in multiple locations instantaneously. Which suggests that life force energy can exist and can be channeled by a person. (Cohen; Thrane 3) The possibility exists that people can transform matter and channel particles to achieve healing. Further research is needed, yet the field of physics presents an exciting future for a scientific understanding of Reiki healing.
Reiki healing has promising implications for health care. Reiki is currently being used in some American medical settings; now is the perfect time to fully incorporate Reiki healing in medicine. Japanese culture has a long history of healing through energy medicine via ki and the meridian system. Truth is relative to belief as reality and ways of thinking are subjective. Cultures hold different ideas about what is considered valid. To discredit Reiki as a healing modality solely based on its unquantifiable nature is inappropriate. The history of the medical system in Europe and the United States has created a cultural basis against traditional healing modalities. Lay healing practices have been around for thousands of years, and are beneficial to people. Reiki has demonstrated to be a useful tool for managing pain, reducing stress, lowering anxiety, and increasing relaxation. The implications of the studies suggest Reiki as a beneficial treatment. I propose that the American medical system further incorporate Reiki healing as a complementary practice to allopathic medicine.
Work Cited
Cohen, Susan, and Susan Thrane. "Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations." Pain Management Nursing15, no. 4 (2014): 897-908. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2013.07.008.
Cho, Adrian. "Milk jug–sized detector captures neutrinos in a whole new way." Science . December 08, 2017. Accessed December 10, 2017. http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/08/milk-jug-sized-detector-captures-neutrinos-whole-new-way.
Ehrenreich, Barbara, and Deirdre English. Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers. New York, NY: Feminist Press, 2010.
Flexner, Abraham . Medical Education in the United States and Canada Bulletin Number Four (The Flexner Report). Report. New York City, NY: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 1910. I-346. Accessed December 4, 2017. http://archive.carnegiefoundation.org/pdfs/elibrary/Carnegie_Flexner_Report.pdf.
Izumi, Yoshio, and Kazuo Isozumi. "Modern Japanese medical history and the European influence." The Keio Journal of Medicine50, no. 2 (January 19, 2001): 91-99. Accessed December 4, 2017. doi:10.2302/kjm.50.91.
Kumar, R A, and Kurup, P A. "Changes in the isoprenoid pathway with transcendental meditation and Reiki healing practices in seizure disorder." Neurology India 51, no. 2, 211-14.
Raingruber, Bonnie, and Carol Robinson. "The Effectiveness Of Tai Chi, Yoga, Meditation, And Reiki Healing Sessions In Promoting Health And Enhancing Problem Solving Abilities Of Registered Nurses." Issues in Mental Health Nursing28, no. 10 (2007): 1141-155. doi:10.1080/01612840701581255.
Wardell, D. W. and Engebretson, J. (2001), Biological correlates of Reiki Touchsm healing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 33: 439–445. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.2001.01691.
Wetzel, Wendy S. "Reiki Healing: A Physiologic Perspective." Journal of Holistic Nursing7, no. 1 (1989): 47-54. doi:10.1177/089801018900700109.
