REIKI

The Use of Reiki in Healthcare

Reiki Energy Healing is a laying-on-hands technique for stress reduction and relaxation. Reiki is experiencing an increase in use as consumers increasingly seek out complementary medicine methods that support and address a more natural approach to their health issues and ailments. Reiki, as a holistic invisible, intangible subtle form of energy work, uses Universal Life Force to promote harmony within all living things. This subsequently heals the body, mind and spirit or in a more simplistic interpretation, heals on the spiritual, emotional and physical level.

What better use for Reiki than with an individual who is experiencing a challenge with their level of health and wellness, whether it be a temporary challenge or one in which life as they know it may be drastically changing.

The Evolution of the Use of Reiki in Healthcare:

Touch has always been an integral component of healthcare, primarily in the Nursing profession. In the early 1970’s, a formalized touch therapy for use by nurses was researched, developed and introduced by Delores Kreiger, PhD, RN and Dora Kunz, a Natural Healer. This method, called Therapeutic Touch, involves the scanning of an individual’s energy field to determine if there is an increase or decrease of the energy surrounding the client’s body. Healing Touch, a combination of various touch techniques was later developed and became an additional healing energy method to address various issues faced by patients. Nursing, in its holistic approach to patient care, has implemented touch therapy use with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, as well as those in hospice or home-bound locations.

As recently as 10 years ago, the use of Reiki by hospital staff was never openly discussed with fellow practitioners, especially physicians. If it was discussed, Reiki would have to be ordered by the patient's physician. Often physicians dismissed the use of this so-called ‘treatment’ on the premise that Reiki Energy’s use and outcomes could not be researched or validated. This method just did not meet the paradigm on which Western Healthcare was and continues to be based.

Often, a patient would be told that CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine) approaches could not be used for acute illness, surgery or emergency situations, and this was especially true of Reiki Healing Energy. Could this energy been seen? Could it be felt? Did the Reiki recipient appear or feel differently following a session? An energy practitioner would have fit the description of someone who offered a ‘smoke & mirrors’ method of healing. Today, this argument against several natural methods of healing is no longer completely valid.

Current Use in Healthcare:

Consumers have come to expect their healthcare providers to be knowledgeable of various natural methods of healing. If these services are not offered, then a referral or recommendation by the healthcare provider to an appropriate CAM practitioner would at least acknowledge the patient’s request; and indicate that the healthcare provider was open to therapies outside of the Western Medical world.

Various Complementary Medicine approaches are currently being utilized in open heart surgery, joint replacements, emergency rooms, and with many other surgical procedures. Surgeons have utilized practitioners of Reiki, Reflexology, Hypnosis, Healing Touch, Guided Imagery, Music Therapy, and the use of Positive Affirmations during the pre-operative period to prepare the patient and achieve a less complicated recovery. These methods are being offered wherever patients needing healthcare interventions are located.

Reiki and the Healing Process:

Initial 1st degree Reiki classes are now being offered within the walls of Hospitals. The intent is to prepare more nurses, physicians, dentists, physical and occupational therapists who can add this natural healing method to their ‘tool bag’ when interacting with patients who need additional energy for healing. Reiki could be used to create a less stressful response to a diagnostic procedure, calm the emotional response to a devastating diagnosis, provide relaxation for improved sleep and healing, and calm the parents of a seriously ill child.

As more healthcare Reiki practitioners become acceptable and acknowledged as having an additional natural healing method to address the patient’s response to dis-ease or illness, Reiki is being used with the acutely and chronically ill, as well as providing a measure of comfort during the dying process. Is formalized research needed to validate the observable response described by the Reiki practitioner, the family member, and more importantly, the individual receiving Reiki? This question often becomes a subject of debate between those who support Reiki and those who believe it still continues to be only a placebo effect.

Reiki’s Benefits:

Patients receiving Reiki benefit by experiencing a decrease faster recovery during any time their health or level of wellness has been compromised. Nursing staff members have seen a reduction of medication needed to address pain, a decrease in the use of HS ‘sleepers’ ( Hour of Sleep-sleeping pills or aids), and a more relaxed peaceful sleep.

Reiki used during invasive procedures such as IV’s and dressing changes can alter the patient’s perception of the procedure. Post-operatively, the use of Reiki allows the patient to experience intense relaxation, a thoroughly desired outcome which strongly supports the healing process. The mere act of touching a patient with the centered thought of Reiki can reduce the pain or anxiety often experienced by patients.

The non-invasive manner of Reiki is a simple and subtle method to replace or maintain the energy of an individual. Often, an excessive amount of energy is exerted by an individual during the various stages of healing or during the process of dying. Reiki can replenishes the diminished energy of a patient or provide an overwhelming sense of relaxation, allowing the patient to sleep better and thus restore or maintain a semblance of energy.

Using the Knowledge of Chakras:

Knowing how to use the various aspects of the Chakra energy centers can often direct the Reiki practitioner to the specific Chakra where increased healing energy is needed. According to Reiki Practitioners, the Universal Life Force Energy enters through a Chakra, and goes where it is needed the most. Being aware of a patient’s chief complaint, diagnosis, or symptoms of distress can often help guide the Reiki practitioner to very specific locations.

When the Reiki Practitioner is not a Healthcare Provider:

If the Reiki practitioner is not a healthcare provider, knowing the patient’s diagnosis is not necessary as the practitioner’s hands will be guided by the body’s needs. What is necessary is that a conversation occur between the nursing staff and the practitioner to discuss any modifications by the practitioner that needs to occur due to the presence of IV’s, catheters, positional restrictions, wound dressings/bandages, or automated equipment that may be present. The Reiki practitioner should feel comfortable with ill or dying patients. When working with these clients, the Reiki practitioner should be knowledgeable in the practice of Universal Precautions, which in many cases will simply be washing the hands before and after the Reiki session. It is unlikely that any surrounding equipment will be touched by the practitioner as the energy will be directed through the bedclothes and patient gown.

As a side note, all Reiki sessions offered within a hospital are performed in the patient’s room while they are in bed. In Nursing homes, the session location depends on the mobility of the patient. Are they bedridden or are they able to walk? If walking, the recipient may choose to have the Reiki done while sitting in a chair or wheelchair.

The Use of Reiki along the Life Span:

Babies and very small children are very open to the energy received through Reiki. Given their age, they have not yet developed or fine-tuned the protective shields often seen with adults. For example, when a small child or baby cries, we automatically touch and pick up the youngster to ease and divert their attention from the discomforting situation. If the intent of the touch were centered on the use of Reiki healing for the ‘boo boo’, just imagine the profound response by the child: an almost instant absence of crying.

At the opposite end of the life span are the elderly. In America, we seldom offer this caring touch in any form to the elderly who may be in nursing homes or hospitals where few visitors or family members are present. Interestingly, our elders appear to more open to the concept of energy healing than any other age group. When used with the elderly, Reiki can have a two fold outcome in its use. Many, if not all, infirmed elderly suffer from many chronic ailments at once rather than just one, including Stroke, Parkinson’s, Respiratory ailments such as Emphysema, Pneumonia or Asthma, Alzheimer’s, Heart failure, Kidney disease, immobility or Cancer. Receiving Reiki will not only provide a level of energy and relaxation to the elderly, but will also address the emotional nourishment the elderly need - all through the simple act of touch.

Reiki Locations in Healthcare Systems:

Many Hospitals, Physician Offices, Religious orders, Medical Clinics, Universities and Schools of Medicine are researching, developing and implementing departments or divisions that encompass not only Reiki Healing but many other CAM methods. Acupuncture, Therapeutic Massage, Hypnosis, Reflexology, Humor and Music therapy are often housed along with Reiki within these locations. Once established, consumers are able to use these CAM methods without a MD’s order or prescription.

Often, prior to offering the community and hospitalized patients these CAM approaches, there is a trial use by a specific target audience to determine its acceptance and outcomes. Target patients for these trials include those undergoing Chemotherapy, hospitalized Cancer patients, burn patients, and 3rd trimester pregnant women for use during the laboring and delivery process.

How to find Reiki in the Healthcare System:

Reiki practitioners are often not listed within your local yellow pages. The easiest way to find a Reiki practitioner is to searchonline for a practitioner in your area. You can also call local Massage therapists who may also be healthcare providers as well as Reiki practitioners. In addition, try contacting a healthcare agency and ask if they offer such services. If so, these services will be housed under a variety of names, such as a Wellness Center, Complementary Care for Women, CAM Methods, Integrative Medicine, Complementary Services, Complementary Medicine for Ethnic Groups, Energy Healing Services, or Therapeutic Massage.

Contraindications for Reiki Energy Healing:

After reading about the overwhelming positive outcomes of Reiki Healing, how could there be any contraindications. Unfortunately, there will always be individuals and situations where the use of Reiki and touch would be prohibited. Individuals who are suspicious of people they do not know or have an overwhelming fear of being touched or harmed would not be likely recipients of Reiki. Any individual who displays confusion due to any type of disturbed mental state, such as advanced Alzheimer’s, autism, retardation of mental faculties, or victims of sexual or physical violence may become agitated, more confused, or extremely compromised with this new unfamiliar action.

In Conclusion:

When a family member is ill beyond the usual recovery time, look to including Reiki Healing Energy as another method to complement what is being offered by the Allopathic / Western healthcare providers. This inclusion of energy healing can only enhance the recovery time or support an easier transition with the dying process.

And finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself with a Reiki Session. Being with a family member whose health is compromised also takes your energy. It is important to always replenish your energy too. Use Reiki as often as possible during these difficult times, and you will also feel healthier and stronger.