Reiki is being used to increase
relaxation, decrease pain, and
reduce the side-effects of
medication.
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Reiki Stories
Reiki in the hospital
Low-cost technique relieves stress and pain
Reiki is being used increasingly in hospitals and hospices as an adjunct to medical care.
Low-tech, caring support
Hospitals are experiencing a need to reduce costs and improve patient care. Reiki offers a low-tech, low-cost and comforting way to nurture patients. Many hospitals have welcomed Reiki because it is seen to increase relaxation, speed healing, and to reduce the use of pain medications as well as medication side-effects.
Reiki can help hospital professionals stay connected with patients, and helps patients feel cared for in what can sometimes be an impersonal environment. What’s more, it is easily adapted for hospital patients confined to beds or wheelchairs.
How Reiki is being used
Reiki is being used to relieve stress and pain due to injury, surgery and cancer treatment, to enhance hospice care, and to support women during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. It also helps reduce depression, insomnia and agitation.
In one study, Reiki increased skin temperature and reduced blood pressure, both indicators of relaxation. Recipients often say they experience a deep state of peace, security and well-being at the receiving end of this healing art.
Testimonials from receivers
When many people receive Reiki for the first time, they expect to relax, but not a whole lot more. However, even though the most experienced practitioners don’t claim the ability to cure anything, healing stories abound about this popular technique.
Authors Libby Barnett, MSW and Maggie Chambers share a story in their book, Reiki Energy Medicine, about a man named Jack who was diagnosed with a hernia that required surgery. Jack attended a Reiki 1 class, and commented that, “It was nice, but it was very subtle.” A few days after the class, Jack could no longer find his hernia, a discovery confirmed by the doctor at his appointment. Surgery was cancelled.
In her book Teach Yourself Reiki, the author Sandi Leir Shuffrey included the stories of some of her Reiki students. One student, Caroline N, suffered an acute ankle break. She then developed an infection from the metal plates supporting the ankle.
After the first Reiki treatment, the swelling was reduced, and the cast was soon removed. The pain continued, however. After she received a second treatment weeks later, the heat and purple coloring around the ankle finally subsided. Before the Reiki session, “I couldn’t put my toe on the floor,” Caroline said. “Next day was my visit to the physiotherapist and she couldn’t believe the difference. I found I had about 50 per cent flexibility again.”
The website of the the International Center for Reiki Training, reiki.org, has a section called "Reiki Stories." Readers are invited to send in their accounts of healing with Reiki. One woman gave Reiki to her 20-year old niece, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, while she was receiving chemotherapy. Her niece never lost her hair, which astounded the doctor. She had little nausea or vomiting, and was doing well after medical treatments.
Subtle or powerful, to experience Reiki is to receive care like no other.
