The Reiki Thread?

[Skitto]

Reiki: Basically energetic-massage.

Wanted a thread about it, but I don't know where to start.
Practicum? Technique? Personal experience? what?

[snowy]

Well, what is your experience with reiki? That might be a good place to start. Do you practice it? Have you had it done to you? Answering your own questions typically gives us something to talk about and makes others feel more comfortable about sharing their personal experiences, too.

I'll trust that you'll come back to this thread and add your opinion in later, and so you will get mine now.

I've had reiki work done. I enjoyed it. It helped a lot with some tension I was carrying around in my shoulders and neck. I would probably have it done again if I felt it would be helpful for what was ailing me.

[Redlemon]

Ah, I see you went ahead and started the thread. I have never felt anything from any kind of energy work. We had some exposure to it in massage school. However, I have been informed a couple of times that I'm a strong sender of energy. I'm not sure where I should go with this. Any advice for a science-minded person on learning about energy work?

[Zeraph]

I stopped considering reiki work legit when I heard to gain "levels" or "masteries" it requires the student to put forth large sums of cash to "show their dedication"

[telekinetic]

National Council Against Health Fraud says:

There is no evidence that clinical Reiki's effects are due to anything other than suggestion, or that they are superior to massage or any other healing ritual. Reiki's metaphysical beliefs may be in conflict with an individual patient's religious beliefs. Full disclosure of the belief system should precede its use in any setting. An investigation of proponent literature casts serious doubt as to whether Reiki practitioners can be trusted with such full disclosure. Reiki literature presents misinformation as fact, and instructs practitioners on how to skirt the law in order to protect themselves from regulation and accountability.

From Reiki

The International Journal of Clinical Practice says:

Conclusion: In conclusion, the evidence is insufficient to suggest that reiki is an effective treatment for any condition. Therefore the value of reiki remains unproven.

From http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/j...TRY=1&SRETRY=0

And I think the intro to the wiki article says it all:

Reiki (霊気 or レイキ ?, IPA: /ˈreɪkiː/) is a spiritual practice[1] developed in 1922 by Mikao Usui. After three weeks of fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama, in Japan, Usui claimed to receive the ability of "healing without energy depletion".

Wiley InterScience :: Session Cookies

[robot_parade]

I was basically going to post what twistedmosaic said. When someone talks talking about "energy" and "healing", it's usually a really good clue that they are selling you bunk. There isn't any rational explanation for how Reiki might work, and there's little to no scientific evidence that it might have any effect beyond what one might expect from a massage.

[MSD]

Reiki Is Nonsense

The most comprehensive review of reiki research was done by Edzard Ernst, M.D., Ph.D. and his colleagues at the University of Exeter. After surveying studies published through January 2008, they concluded that most were poorly designed and "the evidence is insufficient to suggest that reiki is an effective treatment for any condition." [4]

In 2009, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops concluded that "reiki therapy finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief" and urged Catholic health-care facilities and clergy not to promote or support it. It further stated:

Reiki lacks scientific credibility. It has not been accepted by the scientific and medical communities as an effective therapy. Reputable scientific studies attesting to the efficacy of Reiki are lacking, as is a plausible scientific explanation as to how it could possibly be efficacious. The explanation of the efficacy of Reiki depends entirely on a particular view of the world as permeated by this "universal life energy" (Reiki) that is subject to manipulation by human thought and will. Reiki practitioners claim that their training allows one to channel the "universal life energy" that is present in all things. This "universal life energy," however, is unknown to natural science. As the presence of such energy has not been observed by means of natural science, the justification for these therapies necessarily must come from something other than science [5].

In the mid-1990s, at ages 9 and 10, Emily Rosa demonstrated that 21 therapeutic touch (TT) practitioners could not detect her alleged "energy field." During the tests, the practitioners rested their arms on a flat surface, about a foot apart. Emily then hovered her hand, palm down, a few inches above one of the subject's palms. A cardboard screen prevented the subjects from seeing which of their hands was selected. The practitioners correctly located Emily's hand only 122 (44%) out of 280 trials, which is no better than would be expected by guessing [6]. After the Journal of the American Medical Association published the results, TT leaders called the study a "parlor game," but they refused to suggest an alternative experimental design or to undergo similar tests themselves [7]. It might be interesting to investigate whether reiki practitioners can actually sense or transmit "energy," whether reiki "attunements" actually enhance anything, and whether feelings of warmth are accompanied by any measurable change of skin temperature. But I doubt that the reiki community would be any more eager than the TT community to have its fundamental concepts tested.

As always, if you can prove the studies are wrong, I know a guy in Florida who has a million dollars for you. It's also worth noting that Emily Rosa is 22 now and smoking hot.

[Bill O'Rights]

Originally Posted by MSD

It's also worth noting that Emily Rosa is 22 now and smoking hot.

Sooo...what? You're gonna make me go and look it up?

[hunnychile]

Originally Posted by Zeraph

I stopped considering reiki work legit when I heard to gain "levels" or "masteries" it requires the student to put forth large sums of cash to "show their dedication"

Wrong. Totally wrong Zeraph!!!

My teacher gave me the last final course for Master Level for free. She said it's all up to the Teacher to decide rates and so forth....and she also taught my hubby how to teach it to others through mastery. He only spent $100-125. for all his classes and books.

You'd be surprised how many health centers/hospitals/treatment places use it for various "treatment". The Cleveland Clinic uses it often in many departments...my Sister in Law is a nurse practioner there and she has used it many times for recovery from trauma and post operation recovery, and dealing with chemotherapy.

[filtherton]

Originally Posted by MSD

In 2009, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops concluded that "reiki therapy finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief" and urged Catholic health-care facilities and clergy not to promote or support it. It further stated:

Reiki lacks scientific credibility. It has not been accepted by the scientific and medical communities as an effective therapy. Reputable scientific studies attesting to the efficacy of Reiki are lacking, as is a plausible scientific explanation as to how it could possibly be efficacious. The explanation of the efficacy of Reiki depends entirely on a particular view of the world as permeated by this "universal life energy" (Reiki) that is subject to manipulation by human thought and will. Reiki practitioners claim that their training allows one to channel the "universal life energy" that is present in all things. This "universal life energy," however, is unknown to natural science. As the presence of such energy has not been observed by means of natural science, the justification for these therapies necessarily must come from something other than science [5].

I just want to point out how funny this is coming from The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

[hunnychile]

I chuckle at the people who have never had a Reiki session and yet they are the first to say it just doesn't work. I totally understand why the Catholic Church is down on Reiki, cuz you can learn to give it to yourself and feel pain disappear or mental axiety relief. No need to pay to light a candle or get that expensive dispensation.

How many of you tfp folks have HAD a Reiki session? And if so, then tell me why it didn't help/work/make you feel different or better. Well.........?

I've given it to a doctor and 2 different Nurse Practioners who were much relieved and asked that I share it with them on a regular basis.

[filtherton]

I understand why the Catholic Church is down on Reiki too, and it ain't because it lacks a solid basis in science. This is the catholic church, after all.

[robot_parade]

Originally Posted by hunnychile

I chuckle at the people who have never had a Reiki session and yet they are the first to say it just doesn't work. I totally understand why the Catholic Church is down on Reiki, cuz you can learn to give it to yourself and feel pain disappear or mental axiety relief. No need to pay to light a candle or get that expensive dispensation.

How many of you tfp folks have HAD a Reiki session? And if so, then tell me why it didn't help/work/make you feel different or better. Well.........?

I've given it to a doctor and 2 different Nurse Practioners who were much relieved and asked that I share it with them on a regular basis.

Why should I have to try a quack treatment myself to be able to form an opinion on it based upon my understanding of science and a quick review of the scientific evidence? I haven't tried homeopathy, coffee enemas, or many other quack treatments, but I can still say with a fair degree of confidence that they're all probably bunk.

And I have no doubt that a Reiki session may feel good. So does a nice massage. My issue is that Reiki practitioners claim to be doing 'healing', and yet there's no scientific evidence that it's an effective treatment for anything at all. None. There's no plausible explanation for Reiki being anything more than feel-good mumbo-jumbo. Which is fine with me, so long as people don't claim that it's anything more.

[hunnychile]

Ignorance is bliss too.

Late Edit: I'm not at liberty to tell how the training commences and show the techniques with signs and language evoked, however if the OP wants more details, just PM me.

I'll be happy to share more information with people really interested in Reiki....not just vague conjecture or arguments, just for the sake of argument with someone they never met or know.

*It has made my life better and I haven't had the flu or any pain or migraines in over 2 years.

[Crack]

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

Sooo...what? You're gonna make me go and look it up?

she was on Penn and Teller's Bullshit... I think you can still get it "on-demand" if you have time warner cable...

[Skitto]

Good plug Syedseo

Actually Reiki means "sun energy" or "epicenter chi"

[MSD]

Originally Posted by hunnychile

How many of you tfp folks have HAD a Reiki session? And if so, then tell me why it didn't help/work/make you feel different or better. Well.........?

I tried it at the insistence of someone who refused to listen to the fact that no controlled and blinded study has shown it to do anything. I lay down on a table and relaxed while a woman held her hands over the injured part of my back for about ten minutes. She then informed me that the session was complete and that I should feel some immediate relief followed by improvement over the course of the day. It felt a little bit better, as it always does if I lay down on my stomach and relax my back muscles, and returned to the typical level of pain over the next 15 minutes once I stood up.

I have been given no plausible mechanism of action for the practice, a review of randomized trials last year shows no evidence of effectiveness, and it did nothing for me.

The logical conclusion I arrive at is that I was laying down relaxing my back muscles while a woman stood over me doing nothing to address the problem while sincerely and honestly believing that she was directing healing energy toward me. Fortunately, it was a demonstration and I didn't have to pay anything.

I had a very similar experience with crystal-based healing, the difference being that rather than holding her hands over me for ten minutes, the practitioner lifted the back of my shirt and placed some pretty rocks on my spine while giving me an explanation of chakras, and I assume spectators and passers-by were quietly making fun of me for being fat.

[hunnychile]

The times I give Reiki are for a person who asks for it and doesn't care if there is a scientific basis - they usually just want relief from some type of pain. I learned Reiki from a woman who studied it in Japan about 20 years ago....fter I had her treatments for a painful back injury, I got from being thrown off a horse. They worked well for me, so I was pleased. Cost less than other doctors and wasn't invasive. The best Reiki workers are those who go into a "sort of trance" and don't control the energy exchange, it gets channeled in a way we are trained to receive it and magnify it through various chakras. No one really understands it until they take part in the training and move through the levels. I can't say much more because the practice does have a code of ethics.

And no, it is not like EST at all.

Off the subject: Don't some people believe that long ago Jesus healed people by laying hands on them? It would be interesting to read how he would describe the "process" and who received healings vs. those who just think it's mumbo jumbo and not even worth a try.

Faith always has much to do with getting "healed" be it mentally or physically. Why else would doctors give patients placebo tablets so often?

[MSD]

Originally Posted by hunnychile

Faith always has much to do with getting "healed" be it mentally or physically. Why else would doctors give patients placebo tablets so often?

Placebos are given to control groups in studies to find out whether something is more effective than an inert substance that appears to be identical. The majority of placebos prescribed in clinical practice outside of controlled studies are either antibiotics prescribed for viral infections or to satisfy a patient who is demanding a doctor prescribe something when it would contradict medical ethics.

[telekinetic]

Originally Posted by hunnychile

Off the subject: Don't some people believe that long ago Jesus healed people by laying hands on them? It would be interesting to read how he would describe the "process" and who received healings vs. those who just think it's mumbo jumbo and not even worth a try.

hunnychile, if you have enough faith in what you are doing, I believe that you can heal people with Reiki just as effectively as Jesus could if he were here today to do it with his methods.

Take that however you will.

[Arc101]

I have had this a few times for stomach problems - I think it has helped. As someone has said it might be the placebo effect but I don't care as it has helped me far more than the tablets the doc gave me. The first time was the most dramatic - the person who gave me the healng did not tell me what to expect but said it would help and if I wanted to another session to give her a call. That night my stomach felt it was on fire - I had a really vivid image in my mind of just a massive fire in my stomach - freaked me out big time and I had never felt anything like that before or since. I called her the next day and she said that was good as it was my body getting rid of all the stuff in my stomach what was making me ill. I would advise people to give it a go - it can't harm you it might help.

[Zeraph]

Originally Posted by hunnychile

Wrong. Totally wrong Zeraph!!!

My teacher gave me the last final course for Master Level for free. She said it's all up to the Teacher to decide rates and so forth....and she also taught my hubby how to teach it to others through mastery. He only spent $100-125. for all his classes and books.

You'd be surprised how many health centers/hospitals/treatment places use it for various "treatment". The Cleveland Clinic uses it often in many departments...my Sister in Law is a nurse practioner there and she has used it many times for recovery from trauma and post operation recovery, and dealing with chemotherapy.

OK, not wrong. I heard this directly from the lips of a so called master giving a lecture at the local library.

[tecoyah]

OK...just to be forthright, I have a level II Reiki understanding but am unable to achieve mastery.
I have used and experienced the results of this technique under a multitude of circumstance that forces me to at the least, accept that something is happening. Personally, I really couldn't care less about those who decide to place it in the conspiracy realm as it is similar to someone deciding they won't eat chocolate because it looks like shit when melted.

Reiki is like Animal sex...good for some, scary for others.