Reiki in hospitals? Just the latest fad? Perhaps not.
A research study at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn., indicates that Reiki improved patient sleep by 86%, reduced pain by 78%, reduced nausea by 80% and reduced anxiety during pregnancy by 94%. Additionally, a survey of nurses found that Reiki in hospitals helps patients heal faster with less pain, reduces stress and improves negative attitudes, improves appetite and reduces the negative side-effects of chemotherapy, radiation and other medical procedures.
Integrative Health
Many have sought Reiki treatment or training realizing that balancing their systems can help them to cope better with a wide range of health conditions, including:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Infertility
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- ADD/ADHD
- Autism/developmental delays
- HIV/AIDS
- Crohn’s Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Emotional illness, including mild psychosis
- Fatigue syndromes
- End-of-life care and bereavement
Integrative health care often brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. It emphasizes a holistic, patient-focused approach to health care and wellness—often including mental, emotional, functional, spiritual, social, and community aspects—and treating the whole person rather than, for example, one organ system. It aims for well-coordinated care between different providers and institutions.
Cancer treatment centres with integrative health care programs may offer services such as acupuncture and meditation to help manage symptoms and side effects for patients who are receiving conventional cancer treatment.
Reiki in Canadian Hospitals
In recent years, the popularity of alternative treatments as a whole has grown dramatically in Canada. According to research conducted by Insights West, as many as 10% of people surveyed reported having tried reiki at some point during their lives. The majority of those Canadians who reported having tried Reiki viewed the treatment positively and found it to be effective. This research also shows that more Canadians are calling for the inclusion of alternative treatments like Reiki as a standard healthcare option.
Several institutions have conducted studies to determine whether using Reiki in hospitals is a beneficial treatment for patients who have been hospitalized. One such study that focused on Canadian hospitals was published in the Journal of Palliative Care in 2013. The study found that providing patients with reiki treatment led to lower levels of discomfort, restlessness, anxiety, and pain. Reiki treatment was also associated with mood improvements. The study ultimately concluded that reiki was a valuable addition to the treatment options offered at the hospital.
Canadian health care facilities offering Reiki:
- Mt. Sinai Hospital’s Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre, Toronto, Ontario
- Princess Margaret Hospital (University Health Network) Toronto, Ontario
- McMaster Children’s Hospital (Hamilton, Ontario
- Bruce House AIDS hospice (Ottawa, Ontario)
- Sandy Hill Community Health Centre (Ottawa, Ontario)
- Ottawa Integrated Cancer Centre (OICC)
In Person will resume May 6th, 2021
Distance Reiki (via Zoom or FaceTime) are available any time! These sessions are just as effective as a in-person session, as Reiki does not have time or distance constraints.
There is nothing like a Reiki session, but a Reiki session while you are snuggled into your own bed? Now that is relaxing!
A 30 minute session is $25 and can be sent as a gift to someone or better yet, a gift for yourself.