With the many associated problems of pain medications, particularly opiates, it is no wonder that there is a growing population seeking complementary treatments for pain management. Reiki is one such complementary health approach that works directly with the energy of the body, enhancing the body’s own ability to heal itself on all levels—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Reiki is based on the concept that every living thing has an energy field that must be balanced in order to maintain proper mental, physical, and spiritual health. Chronic pain can occur when this energy field is either blocked or weakened.

Simply put, reiki is a practice that helps with stress reduction and relaxation and promotes healing. It allows the body’s energy field to shift into the relaxation response, which moves one into a calm, meditative-like state. Reiki re-establishes the energy balance in areas of the body experiencing disease and discomfort, thus promoting healing, reducing pain and increasing quality of life.

Reiki in medical settings

Reiki is becoming an increasingly accepted presence in hospitals and clinics. Beyond signaling a physical problem, chronic pain can also stem from psychological and emotional disturbances. Reiki can resolve them by allowing healing energy to flow freely. The result is reduced pain and tension, as well as feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Unlike most other treatments, reiki is a multi-purposed method that can heal both physical and emotional ailments. Through reiki, some patients suffering from pain due to cancer, injury, or psychological or emotional distress have found relief where other methods were not successful. Scientific validation of reiki’s effectiveness has helped bring this method to the mainstream.

Research

When reiki is examined for its impact on more specific types of pain, studies on reiki therapy reflect a broad spectrum of its benefit for pain relief. Some studies suggest that reiki can reduce fatigue and help patients feel more relaxed, and that translates into the need for less pain medication. Being in a relaxed state also allows the body to heal naturally.

While clinical study continues, there are large amounts of anecdotal evidence regarding the effectiveness of reiki. Cancer researchers have reported that patients that have received reiki experienced longer periods of stabilization, and relief from pain and anxiety.

Finding a practitioner

There is no standardization of the practice of reiki, so to find a qualified practitioner, it’s best to do some research on potential practitioner’s level of experience and training.

Janine Gilarde has been studying reiki for more than 15 years. She is a Reiki Master Teacher providing private healing sessions and reiki certification trainings. She is also available to provide workshops and presentations in the community and employee wellness programs. For more information, visit JanineGilarde.com.