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Exploring Reiki for Pain Management, Anxiety, and More
Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 04:43 PM
Reiki has been around for thousands of years, and like other energy practices, it continues to gain recognition in modern-day health care.
There are numerous versions of Reiki's history that exist today. Many Reiki practitioners attribute the widespread of the practice to Dr. Mikao Usui, a distinguished Japanese scholar born in 1865. Dr. Usui has been known to have a little over 2,000 students during his lifetime.
Reiki emphasizes the body's innate ability to heal itself. It is a gentle, non-invasive practice where practitioners invoke reiki energy to identify hot spots (areas where energy is needed) within their patient's body. The practitioner lightly lays their hands on or above these points to address areas with energy disruption.
While some individuals may be skeptical about trying an energy-based treatment, research shows that energy treatments can be just as effective as more hands-on therapies like massage. Reiki can help achieve optimal health and address a number of symptoms and ailments.
Lowering Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition that impacts many Canadians (almost one in every four). It increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems. For many, stress can be a large factor in contributing to high blood pressure.
Reiki can help address these symptoms by guiding the flow of qi (life energy) in the body and sparking the parasympathetic nervous system (known for "rest and digest").
When your parasympathetic nervous system is activated, your heart and breathing rates are slowed down. The body enters a state of relaxation, which then starts recovery. This activation lowers your blood pressure and promotes digestion.
A study out of Brazil tested this theory in an experiment and found that those who received reiki from a trained professional saw a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure.
While hypertension is contraindicated (not recommended due to risk factors) for some holistic health treatments, such as hot stone therapy, this risk does not extend to reiki, making it an ideal treatment for those looking for complementary care to help lower their blood pressure.
Improving Anxiety
Health Canada estimates that one in 10 Canadians is affected by an anxiety disorder. This statistic includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), where an individual excessively worries about ordinary situations and events. GAD can impact daily life with varying severity.
Reiki practitioners believe your body is capable of self-healing, and universal energy can help boost that ability to restore physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Reiki can help address symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, including fatigue, nausea, and headache, through its calming and non-invasive techniques.
Stress and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. Our sympathetic nervous system drives the "fight or flight" response which puts the body in high alert. By sending your body into a state of rest-and-digest, it can heal rather than be overcome by stress response.
One study measured the use of reiki in an oncology and infusion services unit, and they found that the average anxiety score in patients dropped more than half after reiki treatment.
Research continues to grow in this area, contributing positive insight that receiving reiki treatment is beneficial for anxiety.
Managing the Pain of Hospital Patients
The use of reiki is growing in the field of health care, particularly in hospital settings. Integrating holistic care into the patient care regimen has been found to benefit patients greatly. Reiki is also becoming favoured by many nurses, who may add the training to their tool kit to help their patients further.
In a study conducted in Canadian hospitals, reiki was found to be a valuable addition to patient care. Patient comfort and mood increased, while pain and anxiety decreased, and staff engaging in the pilot project were eager to continue the program.
Another study found that reiki was beneficial in reducing levels of pain and fatigue in cancer patients, after they received eight 20-minute sessions over four weeks.
With continued research growing in this area, it is foreseeable that reiki could become even more accessible in years to come, which is great news for all Canadians.
Addressing Burnout
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by the inability to cope with our environment because of the ongoing demands of daily life.
When your body's energy is out of balance, you may feel heightened anxiety and stress. Reiki can help release unwanted energy, remove blockages from the body, and restore good energy.
A 30-minute reiki session was found to help reduce symptoms of burnout, as well as reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body.
After a reiki treatment, you'll feel more grounded, calm, and refreshed. You'll be ready to take on whatever your week throws at you!
Find a Reiki Practitioner
NHPC members practise a variety of holistic health treatments (they have over 60 that they can be recognized for). Reiki is the third most-practised treatment by our members, following massage therapy and myofascial cupping.
With virtually no risks or side effects, reiki is open to anyone seeking healing and renewal. Its gentle and non-invasive techniques benefit almost any person and any ailment.
Reiki is a wonderful complementary therapy. It is not meant to replace traditional medical care but enhance your existing treatment plan and overall health.
Reiki should only be performed by a trained professional who is a member of a professional association like the NHPC. Find an NHPC practitioner in your area using our member directory.
More About Reiki
Interested in learning more about reiki, including common misconceptions and what to expect in a treatment? Watch a recording of our latest Facebook Live event, All About Reiki: