Reiki and Western Medicine

The notion of unseen, unspecified energy that flows to where it is needed to heal is difficult for Western medicine. Western medicine and science seeks to find and explain a mechanism through which any healing works, and struggles to acknowledge any modality that does not fit neatly into a scientific explanation. In recent years, however, Western medicine has begun to be more accepting to complementary and alternative treatments. We in the West are learning that complementary treatments, such as Reiki, can support and supplement conventional Western medical treatments. More and more hospitals and clinics are offering Reiki or encouraging their clients to seek Reiki. The Mayo Clinic's integrative oncology center, for example, offers Reiki, noting, "[s]tudies have shown it may reduce pain in people with cancer and may ease anxiety and depression."

The Cleveland Clinic is a nearly century-old academic and clinical medical center that has long ranked among the top hospitals in the country. The Cleveland Clinic offers Reiki to its patients, and has this to say about Reiki:

Reiki is hands-on natural healing using the universal life force energy. … Reiki, an abundant, gentle spiritual energy, is not tied to any specific religion or nationality. . . .

Reiki is not specific to any particular type of disease or condition. Because it works on the entire self, mind, body and emotions - it may be successful in all types of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing.

Reiki practitioners in our Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine help patients to prepare for surgery, which may help boost recovery afterward.

Reiki, which is used all over the world including in many hospitals and hospices, aids in healing by helping people become more balanced physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. . . . 

Our reiki practitioners see patients for the following conditions, among others:

• Chronic pain.

• Digestive problems.

• Parkinson’s disease.

• Stress-related diseases.

• Psychological illnesses.

Reiki complements all other types of medical and therapeutic treatments.  

Meanwhile, Western doctors and medical researchers are applying their scientific tools to study the efficacy of Reiki. This work is continuing, and much further study is needed. However, the results so far are confirming what has been known by hands-on healers all over our world for thousands of years: Reiki and other energy healing works.