Reiki as a Treatment for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a Japanese technique based on the belief that spiritual energy, properly channeled, can heal the physical body. It can be done through light touch or even at a distance. Reiki is most often used for stress reduction and relaxation but also has many other applications. Practitioners say it can help with pain, sleep, muscle tension, anxiety, depression, circulation and poor immune function. Some practitioners recommend against using Reiki on anyone with a psychological disorder.
Researchers from the University of Washington and Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, published in the Fall of 2008, studied Reiki as a fibromyalgia treatment and found it was not effective at reducing symptoms, using either touch or distance methods. The researchers recommend more research before Reiki is recommended as a fibromyalgia treatment.
Some practitioners and patients say they've seen results from Reiki. As with Bowen treatments, risk is low but price is something you'll want to consider before trying Reiki.
Sources:
2007 Cathy Wong, About.com: Alternative Medicine. All rights reserved. "Rolfing"
2007 Rolf Institute of Structural Integration. All rights reserved. "About Rolfing"
Ruth Werner, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved. "A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology, third edition"
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