Reiki
This page is about Reiki for people with cancer. There is information about
Reiki is a Japanese healing art that was developed by Dr Usui in Japan in the early 20th century. It is pronounced ray-key. You may also hear it called
- Reiki healing
- Usui system of Reiki
- Therapeutic touch
Reiki is a type of spiritual practice used as a complementary therapy to treat physical, mental and emotional illnesses. ‘Reiki’ means “universal life energy” in Japanese.
Reiki practitioners believe that our ‘energy fields’ affect our physical and spiritual health. A Reiki practitioner aims to change and balance the energy fields in and around your body.
Reiki isn’t part of any type of religion or belief system, so anyone can use it. If you are thinking about having Reiki, it’s important to know that there are different levels of Reiki practitioners.
Reiki practitioners say that it can
- Help some people to feel deeply relaxed
- Help people cope with difficult situations
- Relieve emotional stress and tension
- Help to improve overall wellbeing
Some people with cancer say they feel better after using therapies such as Reiki. Studies show that this is often because a therapist spends time with the person, and touches them. After the rush and stress of hospitals and treatment, it can be very relaxing when someone gives you attention for an hour or more, in a calm setting. Reiki is sometimes used in palliative care, especially in hospices.
Some people say that Reiki has helped to control side effects of their cancer treatments, such as
They also say that it helps them cope better with their cancer and its treatment. But it’s important to bear in mind that while Reiki may help you to cope with your symptoms or side effects, it is not able to treat your cancer. There is general information about why people with cancer use complementary therapies in our about complementary therapy section.
Most doctors would not stop you using Reiki alongside your cancer treatment. But it’s important to tell your doctor about any complementary therapy, alternative therapy or diet supplement that you use. Then your doctor will always have the full picture about your care and treatment.
There is no scientific evidence to prove that Reiki can prevent, treat or cure cancer or any other disease. But many healthcare professionals accept Reiki as a useful complementary therapy that may help to lower stress, promote relaxation and possibly help reduce some types of pain.
Only a few published research papers have looked at how Reiki can help people with cancer. A small American study in 1997 found that Reiki helped to relieve pain in 20 people. Some of these people had cancer. But the study didn’t compare them with people who had no Reiki.
A Canadian phase 2 study in 2003 looked at whether Reiki could control pain in people with advanced cancer. People did have a significant reduction in pain after Reiki treatment but the study was small and had only 20 patients.
We need to do large randomised clinical trials before we really know how much Reiki can help people with cancer. An American phase 2 clinical trial is currently looking at the effects of Reiki healing in men with prostate cancer. You can see the details of this trial on Reiki in prostate cancer on the American National Centre of Complementary and Alternative Medicine website (NCCAM).
When you first see a Reiki practitioner, they will ask you about your general health and medical history. They will also ask you why you would like to have Reiki and discuss a possible treatment plan with you.
During a Reiki treatment, you don’t have to get undressed but you usually take off your shoes and coat and sit or lie down. You can have your eyes open or closed. The Reiki practitioner may dim the lights or play soothing music. They put their hands on, or a few inches above, your body and move them in slow, brushing movements. The movements usually start at your head and work down to your feet, but may focus on a particular area of your body.
The practitioner aims to move and balance the energy within and around your body. And they try and get rid of any ‘energy blocks’ to encourage physical healing and strengthen your energy. They call this energy ‘Ki’.
During the session you may feel a tingling sensation, a sense of deep relaxation, or warmth or coolness throughout your body. You may not feel anything, but practitioners say this doesn’t mean the treatment isn’t working. You can stop the treatment at any time.
A session usually lasts about an hour. Many practitioners say you will get the best results from 3 sessions within a fairly short space of time. Then take a break before having more treatments. After a Reiki session you may feel thirsty. It can help to drink plenty of water and avoid strong caffeine based drinks, such as coffee. You may feel deeply relaxed, and resting at home afterwards can help you get the full benefit of the treatment.
Some Reiki practitioners are ‘second degree’ practitioners. They claim to be able to send healing over a distance. So you can be in your own home having Reiki from a person elsewhere.
If you don’t feel comfortable with anything, it’s important to discuss this with your practitioner. Look in our about complementary therapy section for what to do if you have difficulties with your practitioner.
Generally speaking, Reiki is safe for most people with cancer. Most practitioners will advise you to rest and drink plenty of water after treatment. There are no reports of harmful side effects.
Some cancer centres and hospitals in the UK offer free or low cost Reiki treatments to patients. Ask your nurse or doctor if this is an option in your ward or treatment centre. If not, they may be able to tell you about nearby organisations or support groups that provide complementary therapies.
Private Reiki treatments usually cost £15 to £60 an hour. Treatments may be more expensive in bigger cities. Some of the useful organisations further down this page have more information about costs.
Currently in the UK, there is no single professional organisation regulating Reiki practitioners. There is no law to say that practitioners have to have any specific qualifications.
It is vital that the person who treats you is properly trained. There are 3 different levels of Reiki practitioners
- Level 1 means you can use Reiki to treat yourself, family and friends but are not able to treat other people or charge money for treatment
- Level 2 (also called ‘practitioner level) means you have studied to a higher level and can use Reiki to treat patients
- Level 3 means you are a Reiki master or teacher
Most reputable practitioners belong to one of the useful organisations listed in the section below. Reiki organisations are working together as the Reiki Regulatory Working Group to develop national practice and training standards. They want to have one professional body with a register of UK Reiki practitioners.
The best way to find a reliable practitioner in your area is to look on the UK Reiki Federation website for a list of practitioners by region. Contact one or more of the practitioners and ask them the following questions
- What level of Reiki qualification and training do you have?
- Are you a member of one of the Reiki associations that are part of the Reiki Regulatory Working Group?
- How many years of training have you had?
- How long have you been practicing Reiki?
- Have you treated cancer patients before?
- Do you have indemnity insurance (in case anything goes wrong)?
Or you can contact any of the useful organisations listed below and ask them for a list of Reiki practitioners. You may also find it useful to look in our about complementary therapies section for detailed information about how to find a reliable practitioner and the questions you should ask.
Some of the organisations listed on our complementary therapy organisations page can give information about Reiki. You can also get information from the organisations below.
UK Reiki Federation
PO Box 1785
Andover
SP11 OWB
Telephone: 0870 850 2209
Email: enquiry@Reikifed.co.uk
Website: www.reikifed.co.uk/
An independent organisation of people attuned to Reiki. Aims to form a national umbrella organisation for education, training and guidance in the public practice of Reiki. Has a searchable database of Reiki practitioners.
UK Reiki Alliance
Email: info@ukreikialliance.co.uk
Website: www.reikialliance.org.uk
Tel: 01394 388643 (Membership Officer)
Tel: 01603 423827 (Publicity Officer)
The alliance aims to protect the interests of Reiki practitioners, clients, teachers and students. It has a member referral service.
The Reiki Healers and Teachers Society
Email: info@reikihealersandteachers.net
Website: www.reikihealersandteachers.net
An independent, non-profit making society for people who are attuned to Reiki, whether they’re practising publicly or not.
UK Reiki Regulatory Working Group
Email: info@reikiregulation.org.uk
Website: www.reikiregulation.org.uk
A working group of members from Reiki and complementary therapy organisations. It aims to explore and establish a regulatory framework for Reiki practitioners in the UK and has some information about Reiki on its website.
Increase text
Decrease text
Print this page
