Reiki Offers Help for Cancer
Patients
Although
the mainstream medical profession is usually
slow to include alternative health practices
without extensive statistical evidence,
Reiki is an exception. Relying mostly on
an enormous groundswell of positive healing
anecdotes, a surprising number of doctors
have recommended it to their patients.
Moreover, Reiki is offered as a complement
to traditional treatments in many leading
hospitals such as Memorial Sloan Kettering,
DHMC, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center,
Bassett Healthcare’s Louis Busch Hager
Cancer Center, and the Yale Center. In
Memorial Sloan Kettering, for example, it’s
considered so valuable that it’s offered
regularly for in-service courses for all
hospital staff so that they can integrated
it into their patient care
The
response from practitioners and patients
alike have been extremely promising. Both
groups report that this gentle healing art
promotes natural healing, stimulates
endorphins, lessens or eliminates pain,
lowers blood pressure, reduces heart rate,
regulates hormone levels, promotes deep
relaxation, and increases energy. Even the
prestigious American Cancer Society
recognizes that Reiki speeds healing,
contributes toward spiritual and physical
well-being, and reduces the intensity and
frequency of nausea and vomiting due to
chemotherapy. Many practitioners attest
that Reiki shortens hospital stays,
decreases patients’ need for drugs, lessens
the side effects of treatment, and improves
the quality of life.
As part
of an on-going study of Reiki at Sloan
Kettering, 1,200 patients found Reiki highly
beneficial. They described a 50% reduction
of pain from their most uncomfortable
symptoms after a single treatment and
claimed it stayed at that level for at least
two days afterword.. The Reiki therapists
were quick to point out that this study just
confirmed their impressions, formed from
observations of many previous treatments.
As if
this weren’t enough reason to use it, the
therapists remind us that Reiki can do no
harm and can improve the condition of any
illness. It requires nothing of the patient
because the energy flows to where it needs
to go and heals on all levels – mental,
physical, emotional or spiritual. Thus,
Reiki has healed patients with pain,
fatigue, stress, nausea and depression.
With
fatigue and anxiety, two very common side
effects of chemotherapy and radiation
experienced by cancer patients, Reiki
produces excellent results. Practitioners
at Sloan declare that Reiki allows patients
to rest deeply and feel comfortable.
Equally important, Reiki energizes, improves
sleep, aids relaxation, and makes it
possible for patients to do things thought
impossible before.
While
other pain-reduction methods, such as
massage, may be effective for some patients,
it is often inappropriate for cancer
patients undergoing radiation because their
skin may be too sensitive. Reiki, on the
other hand, can easily be performed on
anyone, in any condition, with healthful
effects.
In
short, Reiki had been shown to be a highly
effective, user-friendly healing technique,
recognized and used by leading hospitals and
doctors as an adjunct to cancer care..
Through widespread testimonies by both
patients and practitioners, Reiki is rapidly
developing the stellar reputation it
deserves.
Donna Volunteers
at 1 in 9 Hewlett House Cancer Center
Once a
week Donna can be found giving Reiki
sessions to cancer patients at Hewlett
House.
This
wonderful center, located on Long Island’s
South Shore , offers a full range of support
for people who are dealing with all types of
cancer.
For more information see:
www.hewletthouse.org
