Strict Scientific Research on Reiki

Scientific Study Reveals Reiki Reduces Stress as measured by the autonomic nervous system ANS
You can find the complete study entitled "Autonomic Nervous-System-Changes During Reiki Treatment" in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Volume 10, Number 6

The ANS is the body system involved in the fight-or-flight stress response.The ANS cannot be observed directly but the effects of its functioning can be observed: respiration, perspiration, blood pressure, heart rate, vasodilation (decreased tension in muscles around blood vessels to increase blood flow) or vasoconstriction (increase in tension around blood vessels, decreasing blood flow.)

Those of us practicing Reiki and those receiving it know from experience that Reiki reduces stress, and helps boost the immune system, and helps facilitate the body's own capacities for healing. Reiki gives the body's capacity a turbo boost. I have witnessed miraculous results with the use of Reiki. However, from a scientific standpoint, such evidence using single case studies is considered anecdotal. No controls are used to compare outcomes.

Procedures: There were 3 groups of 15 subjects. Each group had a rest period of 15 minutes at the end of which baseline/pre-treatment measures were taken. Then each group rested for 30 minutes. A 10 minute period followed and post treatment ANS measures were taken.

•  The Reiki group laid down and rested while receiving Reiki. The healer used typical hand positions held above the experimental subjects receiving Reiki.

•  The placebo group laid down and rested as a person not attuned to Reiki dupiicate the same hand positions for the same length of time as the Reiki group.

•  The control group just laid down and rested for the same time as the other two groups received there respective treatments.

Measures: Different measures were used to determine the effect Reiki had on the ANS. To measure the effects on the ANS, blood pressures were taken before treatment. Heart rate was measured and And the small smooth muscles that regulate blood flow were measured by skin temperature. (Note: The EMG measures skeletal muscle tension. I used the EMG and skin temperature tests in testing the first rudimentary form of the Four Inner Steps to Love for relieving stress.)

Results: As compared to the other two groups, the Reiki group showed statistically significant reductions in heart rate and in diastolic blood pressure. The sympathetic branch of the ANS showed statistically significant reduction in activity. This branch activates under stress. And the parasympathetic branch showed increased activity. The parasympathetic branch activates the return of the body to balance and homeostasis. In short, our body, specifically the autonomic nervous system, responds positively to Reiki, and the result is not due to the placebo effective, that is, the subject's expectation of and desire for a positive result.

Treat yourself to a Reiki session with a Reiki practitioner near you, or try a remote Reiki session. For an overview of Reiki see 8 Steps to Love, and for examples of the power of Reiki, see A Matter of Love.

What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a deeply relaxing natural healing art that originated in Tibet over 2500 years ago and was later rediscovered in the 1800’s by Dr. Mikao Usui from Japan. From there Reiki was brought to the West. Reiki is the “universal electromagnetic life force energy” found in all living things. Translated from the Japanese Rei means “universal” or “including all” and Ki refers to “the vital life force” within all forms of life: people, plants, animals, etc. Spiritually, it may be thought of as the healing energy that flows from God or the universe into all of life.

As such Reiki is compatible with all life affirming beliefs, philosophies, and religions. Therefore, people can define the higher power source of Reiki in a way that is consistent with their personal beliefs. For example, based on my roots in the Episcopal church, and given the profoundly moving mystical experience I had in 1995, I view the healing energy of Reiki as emanating from the pure white light and love of the Holy Spirit.

I combine Reiki and prayer as I see them both as deriving their power from the same source. As such I have found it very effective to ask that the person, plant or animal that I am focused on receive whatever healing they need physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It might be said that the practice of Reiki is a kind of ancient “Tibetan technology,” that enables us to access and send the universal healing energy. We do this by simply placing our hands very lightly near or on ourselves or others with the intention and willingness for a healing to occur.

However, with Reiki distant healing the sender may be thousands of miles away from the person receiving the healing energy. In any case, the healing energy then flows through us as the sender into the receiver. We are not the healer, we are only a vehicle for the healing energy which simply assists the natural healing ability of our body. Reiki can nicely augment medical treatments and is not a substitute for them.

Some Benefits of Reiki and Reiki Therapy

"The organs of the body are essentially sustained by the energy of God, and the person who employs various methods to increase this energy will have at his command a greater power for healing than is afforded by any medicine or diet.”
—Yogananda from the book, Man’s Eternal Quest

Relax your body and mind
Relieve physical aches and pain
Replenish your energy and vitality
Restore your overall sense of well-being
Recuperate faster from surgery and illness
Release emotional pain: stress, fear, anger, and depression
Resolve conflicts and attain inner peace and outer harmony
Recover from a repeated pattern of unhappy relationships
Renew and deepen your intimacy with the one you love
Realize your spiritual potential for a richer, fuller life
(Note: Children, Adolescents, Adults and the Elderly can all benefit)

As time permits, Dr. Jackson is available for sessions following seminars.
For Remote (Distant) Healing click here.