Reiki Healing: Is it All in Their Head?

A woman in the 1930's with tumors, gallstones and appendicitis would have died without surgery but there laid Hawayo Takata on her hospital bed in Japan, refusing surgery and begging her Japanese doctors to find another alternative. Hawayo's doctors suggested Dr. Hayashis' Reiki clinic. The Usui Reiki practitioners sensed immediately what was wrong with Mrs. Takata and the diagnosis closely matched that of her doctors at the hospital. Mrs. Takata's treatment began immediately after her first consultation. The treatment required two practitioners every day. The practitioners would lay their hands over Mrs. Takata in many different positions targeting the affected areas. The first day she noticed the heat from the practitioner's hands were very hot although they were not touching her.

She was sure that they had some sort of "machine" hidden under their kimonos and she grabbed them to peek into the sleeves. Mrs. Takata did not find a thing and the practitioners laughed. The practitioners began to tell Mrs. Takata how Reiki worked. From that day on Mrs. Takata was determined to learn Reiki herself. It took four months for Mrs. Takata to heal completely from the tumors, appendicitis and gall stones. After her recovery she convinced the practitioners to attune her in Reiki and allow her to train with them. Later she returned to Hawaii and attuned twenty-two Reiki masters. It was Mrs. Takata's efforts that helped bring the miracle of Reiki to the western world.

Reiki started with Dr. Usui of Japan back in the mid 1800's. Reiki is one form of energy healing. Dr. Usui was a principal and minister for the Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. After requests by his students to learn Jesus' healing techniques, Dr. Usui set out on a ten year journey for the ancient wisdom. Dr. Usui looked long and hard for the healing art and went as far as the United States to find it. During his stay he entered the University Of Chicago Divinity School and received a doctorate of Theology.

Later Dr. Usui, in his search for ancient healing techniques, resided in a Zen monestary. Through his travels and reading ancient script, Dr. Usui was coming closer to what he was looking for. After a 21 day long meditation and fast, Dr. Usui had a metaphysical experience. Dr. Usui received the Reiki symbols and was taught how to use them. Dr. Usui attuned many Japanese to Reiki in his time however, it was Chujiro Hayashi that started the clinic and later attuned Hawayo Takata of Hawaii.

Reiki gives clients true health benefits that are lasting because they balance the body's "Ki". "Ki" is the energy that moves within us and keeps us alive. Everything alive has "Ki". Balancing Ki begins with the transformation of healing energy from healer to client. The energy enters the client's body through different hand placements over the client's body where the energy moves to the necessary areas. The energy is guided by a divine force and not by the healer themselves. Once the energy enters the body it moves to where it is needed unblocking areas that are not moving the energy freely. When energy is "blocked" from moving naturally it causes disease. The Reiki energy works on blocks and proper balance to start the healing process. Even though a client may not be experiencing illness, they are still benefiting from the energy. The Reiki energy maintains proper balance and protects and prevents future illness to the client as well as works on emotional and spiritual healing. When Ki is strong the person feels good and energetic. When Ki is low the person could feel depressed and weak. Humans, plants and animals become sick more often when their energy is down. There are many ways to improve Ki with breathing exercises and meditation techniques.

Research medical facilities are realizing the true potential of combining Reiki with western medicine. So far today, there have been a number of research studies conducted by large factions of scientist right down to in house testing in hospitals across the nation. Referrals for holistic Doctors by conventional doctors looking for better results in their treatment plans for their patients are rising. Scientific testing and positive client results are proof positive that Reiki is beneficial to improving health. Reiki is only one form of healing. Reiki techniques are used for stress reduction and relaxation. Scientific proof shows that the reduction of stress along with relaxation techniques improves health in patients. The word "Reiki" is pronounced "Ray-kee"; "Rei" meaning "God's wisdom" and Ki meaning "life forced energy". In a nutshell, Reiki is "spiritually guided life forced energy".

Reiki not only heals the physical aspect but also the emotional aspect of the illness that caused the block in the first place. Once the body's Ki is balanced all is well and the client will only need to maintain the balance to avoid future problems. As for severe illness or terminal illness, Reiki does not prevent a person from passing but will help the process along and reduce pain significantly. The importance of maintaining healthy energy flow and deterring blocks remains imperative to avoid illness. Stress maintains its position as one of the leading cause of illness in the United States. The Reiki techniques in conjunction with regularly western medicine make a perfect combination by giving the patient their highest potential to heal.

As Reiki therapy becomes integrated in western medicine more and more doctors and nurses are being attuned and using their skills to compliment patient care all over the country. In Michigan a doctor by the name of Nancy Eos who specializes in emergency medicine has been using Reiki for 15 years. In her report she maintains that implementing Reiki along with normal emergency medicine has greatly improved the patient's outcome once they leave the emergency room. In fact, more times than not her patients improve beyond all expectations.

As mentioned, Reiki may not always prevent someone from passing over but will assist them in passing gently. Hospitals and hospices use Reiki. Sometimes the patients receive Reiki attunements so they can assist in their own care and treatment during times it may not be available. An example of the use of Reiki in hospice care would be St. Peter's Health Care Services in New York. This facility makes Reiki a part of their treatment plan to assist in giving the patient the highest quality of life possible during their transition. Since Reiki comforts, calms and induces relaxation, it is an essential element in Palliative care. Although some patients do eventually succumb to their disease many are truly cured while others experience a great deal of relief from their symptoms. The difference in outcomes can result from many factors including the time spent with Reiki therapy in conjunction with other medicinal therapies.

It has been proven through testing that cancer patient's experience a great amount of results using both modalities. Reiki has a tendency to reduce side effects in cancer treatments and even enhance the treatment method. Preventive care is essential in staying healthy whether it is western medicine or Reiki. The Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and other eastern cultures use meditation and yoga to prevent an imbalance in the body's flow of Ki. While Americans experience obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart attack other countries have successfully maintained good health for hundreds, even thousandths of years using these alternative techniques.

The person receiving Reiki acquires a great number of benefits however; the healer receives many benefits as well. The Reiki energy enters the healer's body and gives the healer the same benefits of relaxation and balance as it does the client/patient. The life force energy energizes the healer and gives the feeling of comfort. Since more and more nurses are being attuned in Reiki, this valuable skill is helping them with professional development as well as other people in related fields (i.e., doctors, counselors, teachers, etc.). Research completed on nurses who are Master Reiki practitioners show that nurses with this skill receive a large amount of benefit to the patient which in turn promotes their health and balance. This means less illness and less time off of work. All and all the benefits from Reiki are worth the time and effort it takes to perform.

While the patient feels good physically, the provider feels more positive about their self from the altruistic aspect as well as sustaining their own health.

To this day, research on Reiki continues to span the globe from hospital to hospice either privately owned or governed by federal or state more and more awareness grows as to the benefits of this healing miracle. Medical schools like Arizona Medical School and others integrate complementary and alternative medicine in their curriculum in an effort to raise awareness to new and effective therapies. Government trials are also on the rise to test Reiki on fibromayalgia, prostate cancer, diabetes and neuropathy as well as Aids.

Studies conducted by Dr. Michael Aquilina has shown significant improvement of symptoms or complete recovery. In one case a cancer patient's spleen improved dramatically from the size of a football to normal size in only one session.

The Federal government has developed a program called the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This speaks volumes for the amount of results that have been experienced through Reiki and the public's positive response which helped to raise awareness and initiate government funding to support better care for our future.

Along with strong research proving the positive effects of Reiki there are still those or criticize Reiki and try to dismiss the therapies as being authentic. Eric Krieg who is part of the Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking states that Reiki is a "cult" and its practitioners are just in "la la land". He goes on to say that Reiki practitioners can not seem to prove "energy" fields exist on humans and that if a person with disease allowed a "witch doctor to lay their hands" on them it's a good chance the person would "think" it worked. According to the scientists, and believers of the effects of Reiki, "thinking" is a major key to Reiki healing.

Scientists have already proved that electronic currents "radiate electromagnetic fields". The nervous system and the beating heart, for example, create electronic impulses that scientists have measured outside the body. This energy radiates around the body and has been proven to influence external events by mere thought. Studies on energy fields and the influence of thought were conducted with plants. The studies showed not only the plants were affected by people's thoughts but also by their intention. Intention is just what is needed to pass healing energy on to another person. The thought or "intention" to heal moves the energy to the receiver and begins the healing process. Although it is not required for the receiver to "believe" in Reiki, the extra intention and positive thought toward receiving the benefits is an extra boost. The latest research reinforces the theories on energy fields and manipulating energy. These findings connect to the beliefs of Reiki and give scientific answers to show why Reiki works. These findings increase awareness and continue to show validity to using Reiki therapy.

Reiki therapy promotes a healthier lifestyle and better medical outcomes from treatment. Reiki therapy promotes a better quality of life for healthy as well as unhealthy people. Reiki also provides many benefits to the healer. More and more facilities are implementing Reiki into their program whether it is emergency services, hospice or a regular medical practice. Governments, universities, hospitals and other organizations continue to study and research the benefits of Reiki which will actuate more availability to patients to avail them to alternative care as well as take control of their own personal improvement of body and soul.

So, is it all in their head? Absolutely! The state of your health is a mirror image of the state of your mind. It's all in the difference of positive thinking or negative thinking that begins the shift of energy flow and blockages in a person's body. Let the first step of living healthy start with positive images of being healthy and happy. "Think it, see it, live it, be it. That's what I always say.

References:

Aquilina, Michael M.D. Reiki (From Internet http://altmed.creighton.edu/reiki/History.htm)

Stein, Diane. (1995) Essential Reiki A Complete Guide to An Ancient Healing Art The Crossing Press Inc., Freedom, Ca

Jablonski Julia Melges (1996) Beyond Theory: Energy Healing Works Psychophysics: A Wholistic Approach to Energy Healing ( From Internet http://www.kajama.com/archives/981012/981012F1b.htm)

Crawford, Gregory ( 2003) A Complementary and Alternative Medicine Reference & User Services Quarterly v42 i4 p. 296 (11) American Library Association

Rand, William Lee (2005) The International Center for Reiki Training (From Internet Reiki.org) Southfield, MI

Higgins Byline, Mihalik, Maria, Mahoney, Sarah (2004) Skeptic's Guide to Energy Healing Prevention, v56 i10 p.168 Rodale Press, Inc

Whelan, Kathleen M., Wishnia, Gracie S. (July/August 2003) Reiki Therapy: The benefits to the Nurse/Reiki Practitioner Holistic Nursing Practice v17 i4 p. 209 (9) Aspen Publishers, Inc

Miles Pamela. (Fall 2004) Emergency Reiki Reiki News Magazine Vol. 3 Issue 3 Vision Publications and the International Center for Reiki Training Southfield, Mi