What's New at BRENNER REIKI HEALING

 Reiki Late Summer/Early Fall Class Schedule

Sunday, August 22nd       REIKI 1

Sunday, October 3rd        REIKI 1

Sunday, October 17th      REIKI 2      

ALL CLASSES  9:45am - 6:30pm

Class sizes are kept small, so please pre-register at 617-244-8856 or email  eliseb@rcn.com.  Please inquire about special discounts and sliding scales.

REIKI CLINIC:  First Friday of each month from 7 - 9 pm, by appointment.  Low-cost treatments ($10 to cover expenses) for members of the community.  Call 617-244-8856 or email eliseb@rcn.com. 

     I have developed a blog to engage people of all backgrounds in an ongoing on-line discussion of all things Reiki.  brennerreikihealing.blogspot.com

     I invite you to pick up the March, 2010 edition of Spirit of Change magazine.  An article I wrote about my experiences as a Reiki hospice volunteer will appear in that issue.

     I was part of a wonderful volunteer team of Reiki practitioners offering complimentary 15 minute Reiki treatments at Beth Israel Deaconness' Annual Celebration of Life Event.  This life-affirming celebratioin for cancer patients, survivors, families, caregivers, and friends took place on Sunday, May 23rd at the Harvard Medical School. 

      Gift Certificates!  Brenner Reiki Healing is pleased to announce the availability of Gift Certificates.  Give the gift of Reiki to your loved ones.  Contact Elise at 617-244-8856 or eliseb@rcn.com to purchase gift certificates for healing, health, and harmony.

     Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts (Albert Einstein)

     I have received many questions from people curious about the theory and science behind Reiki.  To that end, I have compiled results from some of the growing literature on quantitative research into the concepts underlying Reiki and results of Reiki treatment (information compiled from Benson 1975, 1984; Gerber 2000; Goldner 1999; Lubeck, Petter, and Rand 2006; Miles 2006; Miles and True 2003; Stiene 2003; and http://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/Reiki_Therapy.htm).

     First, some of the theory behind Reiki practice:  The concepts underlying energy therapies such as Reiki have theoretical commonalities with models in physics, including bioelectromagnetism, quantum physics, and super string theory (Miles).  These theories suggest that very subtle vibration may be the substratum of reality as we know it (Miles; Gerber).  Therefore, such vibration may have a role to play in health and disease.  Reiki practitioners have long held that Reiki balances the biofield, thus strengthening the body's ability to heal, and increasing the ability of the body's systems to reduce stress.  Reiki appears to accomplish these goals by resetting the resting tone of the autonomic nervous system, which may lead to enhancement of immune system function and increased endorphin production (Benson; Gerber).

     Now, results of some of the quantititative research studies into the positive healing effects of Reiki:  Medical professionals have found Reiki to be effective in reducing or even eliminating the need for pain medication.  In the article, "Using Reiki to Support Surgical Patients," published in the Journal of Nursing Care Quality (April 1999, 13 (4): 89-91), Alandydy and Alandydy looked at over 870 surgical patients at Columbia/HCA Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The patients were given the option of a 15 minute pre- and post-surgery Reiki treatment.  Results showed that for those taking advantage of Reiki sessions, there was less use of pain medications, shorter lengths of hospital stay, and increased patient satisfaction.

     Further research has indicated that medical professionals have found Reiki to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress.  A study ("Autonomic Nervous-System Changes During Reiki Treatment: A Preliminary Study") published in a peer reviewed scientific journal, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Volume 10, Number 6, revealed a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in a group of healthy adults who received Reiki treatment.  A similar study was conducted in 1996 at the University of Texas Houston Health Science Center.  It involved the examination of specific biological markers related to stress--salivary IgA (the antibody secreted in saliva that protects against infection), cortisol, blood pressure, galvanic skin response, muscle tension, and skin temperature.  Data were collected before, during, and after the Reiki session.  Comparing before and after measures, anxiety was significantly reduced (Journal of Advanced Nursing, Feb. 2001 33(4):89).

     Additional studies have found Reiki to be effective in reducing symptoms of psychological depression.  The long term effects of Reiki healing were examined in an experimental design on symptoms of psychological depression.  Each participant received a 1 - 1.5 hour treatment each week for 6 weeks.  Upon completion of treatment, there was a significant reduction in symptoms of psychological distress in the Reiki group as compared with the control group.  Importantly, these differences continued to be present one year later even though the individuals received no further treatment ("Long term effects of energetic healing on symptoms of psychological depression and self-perceived stress," in Alternative Therapies Health medicine May - June 2004 10 (3):42-48). 

     Research conducted in medical research institutes and in hospitals has shown Reiki to be effective in quickening the healing process and reducing hospital time.  A study done at the Helgfott Research Institute at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, Oregon, found that Reiki has a measurable effect on the immune system.  Reiki enhanced the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells in those who received Reiki.  Brewitt, Vittetoe, and Hartwell ("The Efficacy of Reiki Hands-On Healing: Improvements in spleen and nervous system function as quantified by electrodermal screening," Alternative Therapies, July 1997, Vol. 3(4):89) quantified improvement in spleen, immune, and nervous system function, as well as a reduction in pain, an increase in relaxation, and more mobility in patients with chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and thyroid goiter.  Further, Reiki was used in the operating room of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.  The New York Times magazine reported about the use of Reiki during open-heart surgeries and heart transplantations performed by Dr. Mehmet Oz.  Of the 11 heart patients treated with Reiki, none experienced the usual postoperative depression; none had post-operative pain or leg weakness; and the transplant patients experienced no organ rejection.

     Research on results from Reiki treaments have also focused on the end of life.  Medical and hospice professionals have recognized the effectiveness of Reiki in supporting patients in their end-of-life journey.  In an article, "Reiki: a complementary therapy for life" (American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care Jan-Feb 1997, 14(1):31-33), Bullock noted some general trends seen with Reiki, including periods of stabilization in which there is time to enjoy the last days of one's life; a peaceful and calm passing if death is imminent; and relief from pain, anxiety, dyspnea, and edema.

     In sum, quantitative and qualitative studies have found Reiki to be associated with:

• decreased levels of stress hormones
• improvement in immune indicators
• improved blood pressure
• improvements in anxiety and pain
• decreased heart rate
• improvement in mood and functioning of depressed patients
• overall enhanced well-being and increased vitality