Is Reiki's hands on healing "nonsense?"

Steven Barrett, M.D.

 

Last March, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Health Science Outreach Office sponsored a Reiki class for health care professionals, saying Reiki "...promotes healing on all levels of mind, body and spirit...and it is currently in use in hospitals, hospice, schools, mental health clinics, nursing homes, psychotherapy and home health care settings across the United States."

 

But Reiki is called "nonsense" by Stephen Barrett, M.D. who keeps an eye out for questionable practices at his website. "Reiki has no substantiated health value and lacks a scientifically plausible rationale," says Barrett.  " Science-based healthcare settings should not tolerate its use.  In a traditional reiki session, the client lies down or sits fully clothed. The practitioner's hands are placed lightly on or just above the client's body, palms down, using a series of 12-15 positions. Each position is held for about 2 to 5 minutes, or until the practitioner feels that the flow of energy—said to be experienced as sensations such as heat or tingling in the hands—has slowed or stopped. Typically, the practitioner delivers at least four sessions of 30 to 90 minutes each. Reiki can also be self-administered or administered to others at distant locations. Some practitioners say that "spirit guides" help them produce the proper flow of energy."

 

Dr. Barrett received an FDA Commissioner's Special Citation Award for Public Service in fighting nutrition quackery. In 1986, he was awarded honorary membership in the American Dietetic Association. From 1987 through 1989, he taught health education at The Pennsylvania State University and received the 2001 Distinguished Service to Health Education Award from the American Association for Health Education.

Here's what the National Institutes of Health says, "If you are thinking about using Reiki:

• Do not use Reiki as a replacement for proven conventional care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem.
• Find out about the Reiki practitioner's background, including training and experience treating clients.
• Be aware that Reiki has not been well studied scientifically, but research on whether and how Reiki may work is under way."

 Milwaukee Journal article entitled:  "Reiki causes Catholic unease."