<p>I’ve had energy work & it helps. I’ve also performed energy work for animals who were very ill & it seemed to help them.</p>
<p>mini, I’m unsure what the point of the listing is but to mention a few of the results in the listed studies:</p>
<ol>
<li>Effects of reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials.
M. S. Lee, M. H. Pittler, E. Ernst</li>
</ol>
<p>Discussion: In total, the trial data for any one condition are scarce and independent replications are not available for each condition. Most trials suffered from methodological flaws such as small sample size, inadequate study design and poor reporting.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<ol>
<li>Assefi, N., Bogart, A., Goldberg, J., & Buchwald, D. (2008). Reiki for the treatment of fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(9), 1115-1122.</li>
</ol>
<p>Per the American Cancer Society: A 2008 study looked at 100 people with pain due to fibromyalgia, using Reiki treatments or sham treatments twice a week. Researchers double-checked to be sure that the participants didn’t know whether or not they got Reiki. In the end, they found no difference in pain between those who got Reiki and those who got something that looked like Reiki.</p>
<p>[They also note “Many studies of Reiki have been conducted without using rigorous scientific methods, so quality information is scarce. For instance, studies that do not use a placebo group (using sham Reiki and identical conditions) are more likely to show symptom improvement shortly after treatment. But studies without placebo control leave open the possibility that the outcome is produced by mental and physical factors other than Reiki.” In other words, uh-uh.]</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The most positive material I could find was [url=<a href=“http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/reiki]this[/url”>http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/reiki]this[/url</a>] from Cancer Research UK. It consistently notes the studies that find benefits are small and often of poor quality. </p></li>
<li><p>More damning is [url=<a href=“http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/reiki]this[/url”>http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/about-cancer/treatment/complementary-alternative/therapies/reiki]this[/url</a>] from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which lumps it in with stuff like treating with magnets and says “Overall, these therapies have impressive anecdotal evidence, but none has been proven scientifically to be effective.”</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I do not understand the difference between something that works or something that appears to work.
If the patient thinks that it helps, that is the most important thing, IMO.</p>
<p>“mini, I’m unsure what the point of the listing is”</p>
<p>The point is to allow people to check what data there are for themselves. As do the majority of Americans, I prefer the demon hypothesis myself.</p>
<p>For what you are trying to achieve I would suggest a reflexology session followed by a session of acutonics. Depending upon where you go, acutonics can involve Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks or planetary gongs. I get these two treatments together and can feel the calming effects for at least 2 weeks. I have no personal experience with Reiki but have heard that the person administering it “makes or breaks” whether it is effective or not.</p>
<p>Healing. It helped my tension in my back and it can be performed by anyone. May be the cheapest option for you to learn to do it for your daughter yourself.</p>
<p>There is a site called “quackwatch”, which is composed of a network of people who have concerns about practices they feel lack scientific research/support, make pseudoscientific claims. Here is what they say about reiki:</p>
<p>[Reiki</a> Is Nonsense](<a href=“http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/reiki.html]Reiki”>http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/reiki.html)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>For some problems, yes. For others, no.</p>
<p>If your problem is anxiety about flying on airplanes, anything that helps you feel better on your next flight is fine. </p>
<p>If your problem is an infected cut, feeling better is only one aspect of treatment. Obviously, the infection needs to be treated as well.</p>
<p>Also, somebody upthread mentioned the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s views on Reiki, but the link went to a UK site. Here’s NCCAM’s fact sheet on Reiki. <a href=“http://nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/introduction.htm[/url]”>http://nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/introduction.htm</a></p>
<p>I had my first Reiki session 10 years ago at a spa in CT. I did it because I was in between treatments and figured what the heck (it said to promote relaxation). I knew nothing about it and thought it would be more like a massage. I was totally blown away. I remember being awake the whole time. The woman never touched me. I was in a trance, felt like I was out of my body, but couldn’t wake up. When it was done, I felt very relaxed and calm. I slept very well that night.</p>
<p>Since that session, I’ve tried to find people who practiced Reiki. I went to someone weekly consistently for few months. I found myself calm and able to breath more deeply, but never got the same experience as the first one. I’ve been told that it takes a lot of practice and experience to do Reiki well.</p>
<p>Yesterday I was fortunate enough to have a Chinese Chi master to work on me. She opened 7 “pipes” for me (my head, neck, back, lower back…). She put her hands on various parts of my body. Her hands were very hot on my skin and it was felt through my clothes. Afterwards my neck and shoulder pain didn’t go away completely, but just felt my body not being as tight. Now a day later, I am still feeling pretty good.</p>
<p>I am not sure if all of this is hokie pokie, but I know it helps me relax. Could be all in my head, but so what.</p>
<p>Wow, Marian, a government website is up and running! Now THAT is a miracle!!</p>
<p>In general, NIH websites are up and running but not being updated.</p>
<p>
<em>crosses self</em></p>
<p>I wouldn’t be considering reiki for an infected toe or broken leg. But self administered for calming? Perhaps. </p>
<p>Do the majority of you not believe in demons?</p>
<p>I do not.
10 char</p>
<p>I do not believe in demons. I believe when I more relaxed and happy then my body is healthier.</p>
<p>I had a naturapathic doctor tell me I am allergic to moonlight…what does that even mean?</p>
<p>Sounds like Stephen Barrett is not as great a consumer advocate as he purports himself to be.
[Is</a> Stephen Barrett a Quack? Quackwatch review by Ray Sahelian, M.D.](<a href=“http://www.raysahelian.com/quackwatch.html]Is”>Is Stephen Barrett a Quack? Quackwatch review by Ray Sahelian, M.D.)</p>
<p>“Do the majority of you not believe in demons?”</p>
<p>If one doesn’t believe in demons generally speaking, then it is unlikely that one will chalk up the workings of Reiki to demon possession.</p>
<p>So, for the question asked by the OP, we really should only ask for the opinions of that majority of Americans who do believe in demons.</p>
<p>I don’t believe in demons OR angels, for that matter. </p>
<p>Acupuncture does work. Reiki, well, if one finds it relaxing, that’s a benefit.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well Mini, one can always count on you to put in a slam to the Catholic Church…and get away with it…</p>