The Science of Reiki
Reiki is becoming more prevalent as a legitimate healing modality in western medicine. As respected scientists and physicians research and incorporate Reiki into practice the benefits of Reiki treatments are becoming well documented. Additionally, the anecdotal testimony of individuals who have experienced the healing benefits of Reiki are numerous and impressive.
The article below is a well-sourced document summarizing a few of the more notable scientific studies on Reiki. Links to additional articles are included to the right.
The Science Behind Reiki
© Tamisha Sabrina, March 2000
What Happens in a Treatment?
During the 1980's, Dr Robert Becker, Dr John Zimmerman, and Max Cade each investigated what happens whilst people perform therapies like Reiki. They found that not only do the brain wave patterns of practitioner and receiver become synchronised in the alpha state, but they pulse in unison with the earth's magnetic field, known as the Schuman Resonance. During these moments, the biomagnetic field of the practitioners' hands is at least 1000 times greater than normal, and not as a result of internal body current. Toni Bunnell (1997) suggests that the linking of energy fields between practitioner and earth allows the practitioner to draw on the 'infinite energy source' or 'universal energy field' via the Schuman Resonance. Prof Paul Davies and Dr John Gribben in The Matter Myth (1991), discuss the quantum physics view of a 'living universe' in which everything is connected in a 'living web of interdependence'. All of this supports the subjective experience of 'oneness' and 'expanded consciousness' related by those who regularly receive or self-treat with Reiki.
Both Zimmerman (1990) in the USA and Seto (1992) in Japan further investigated the large pulsating biomagnetic field that is emitted from the hands of energy practitioners whilst they work. They discovered that the pulses are in the same frequencies as brain waves, and sweep up and down from 0.3 - 30 Hz, focusing mostly in 7 - 8 Hz , alpha state. Independent medical research has shown that this range of frequencies will stimulate healing in the body, with specific frequencies being suitable for different tissues. For example, 2 Hz encourages nerve regeneration, 7 Hz bone growth, 10Hz ligament mending, and 15 Hz capillary formation. Physiotherapy equipment based on these principles has been designed to aid soft tissue regeneration, and ultra-sound technology is commonly used to clear clogged arteries and disintegrate kidney stones. Also, it has been known for many years that placing an electrical coil around a fracture that refuses to mend will stimulate bone growth and repair.
Becker explains that 'brain waves' are not confined to the brain, but travel throughout the body via the perineural system, the sheaths of connective tissue surrounding all nerves. During a treatment, these waves begin as relatively weak pulses in the thalamus of the practitioner's brain, and gather cumulative strength as they flow to the peripheral nerves of the body, including the hands. The same effect is mirrored in the person receiving treatment, and Becker suggests that it is this system, more than any other, that regulates injury repair and homeostasis. This highlights one of the special features of Reiki (and similar therapies), that both practitioner and client receive the benefits of a treatment, which makes it very efficient.
It is interesting to note that both Becker and Cade carried out their research on a wide array of cross-cultural subjects, and no matter what their belief systems or customs, or how opposed to each other their customs were, all tested the same. Part of Reiki's growing popularity is that it does not impose a set of beliefs, and can therefore be used by people of any background and faith, or none at all. This neutrality makes it particularly appropriate to a medical setting.
(For an extensive review of this research see J Oschman 'Energy Medicine', Churchill Livingstone, 2000)
Reiki Induces Meditative State
Zimmerman's studies show that the brain wave patterns of practitioner and receiver are not only synchronised in the alpha or theta state, but become left-right balanced, both indicators of deep relaxation and meditation. This experience is typical of Reiki. The effects of regular meditation on health have been extensively studied at more than 200 universities, hospitals, and research institutions in 27 countries. The most important contribution to health appears to be in primary prevention. Over a 5 year period, meditators consistently had fewer than half the number of doctor visits and days in hospital, compared with controls. Hospital admission rates for medical and surgical conditions were 60-70% less in the meditating group, with 87% less for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, 55% less for tumours, 73% less for respiratory disorders, 87% less for neurological problems, and 30% less for infections. Notably, the meditating group showed relatively little increase in need for healthcare with increasing age, whereas this trend was clearly seen in controls, as would normally be expected. Further studies showed effective relief from stress, a significant reduction in use of alcohol, cigarettes and non-prescribed drugs, and a significant reduction in medical expenditure.
Although the above studies are not directly about Reiki, they do show the positive effects of regular meditation, the state known to be induced by Reiki, and are consistent with the reported benefits. They also support the purported holistic nature of this type of therapy, that is, it works to achieve overall balance and wellbeing rather than being symptom specific.
It is perhaps worth mentioning that those who receive Reiki regularly seem to find it easier to meditate than before. Most probably the treatments provide an example of 'body learning', whereby repeated exposure to the alpha or theta states makes it easier to achieve by oneself.
Research Highlights
An elegantly designed experiment by Wirth et al. (1993) shows that Reiki significantly reduces post-operative pain following the surgical extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. The study utilised a 'randomised, double-blind, within subject, cross-over' design, which will be further explained. 28 dental patients each received two separate operations for the removal of their teeth, only one of which received Reiki in addition to standard medication for pain relief. 15-20 minutes of Reiki was provided from a distance, with neither the patient nor the independent statistician being aware that this was the focus of the experiment. They all thought the effect of the medication was being tested. The reduction in pain provided by Reiki was therefore neither a placebo nor the result of personal interaction with the patient.
An earlier study by Wirth (1990) on Therapeutic Touch, a therapy very similar to Reiki, examined the healing rates of a punch-biopsy on 46 volunteers. The experimental method was similarly sound, being randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled. The volunteers were randomly split into two groups, only one of which received a daily 5 minute session of TT for a total of 16 days. Each participant was isolated in an empty room and passed their arm through a sleeved hole into an adjoining room. The experimental group received non-contact TT, whereas the controls received nothing. Neither the participants, the physician who performed the biopsies, nor the technician who measured the wounds were aware that the study involved TT. All thought that the bio-electric properties of healing were being monitored, thus ensuring that suggestion and placebo effects were nil. The size of the wound was measured on the day of the biopsy, and again on days 8 and 16. Day one was identical for all. Day 8 showed an average wound size ten times smaller in the TT group than in the controls, and by day16 almost half the wounds of the TT group had completely healed, whereas none had in the controls. Average size of the treated wounds was then 0.418 mm2 compared with 5.855 mm2. This showed that TT significantly assists wound healing.
A pilot study by Hartwell and Brewitt (1997) explored an ingenious method to investigate the effects of Reiki. A small group of chronically ill patients were given eleven, weekly, one-hour Reiki sessions, during which period no other new allopathic or complementary treatments were received. The electrical skin resistance of each patient was measured at a large number of conductance points on the hands and feet, using a Life Information System TEN (LISTEN) device. All patients were measured three times: before the first session, and after sessions 3 and 11. Three test points showed highly significant differences before and after Reiki. These acupuncture / meridian points correlate with the spleen, adrenal glands, and cervical, thoracic region of the spine. Together they might be termed representative of the neuroendocrine-immune system. The greatest change was seen in the spinal readings which started on average 25% below normal and gradually improved to within the optimal range. Following Reiki all patients experienced a reduction in pain, and an increase in relaxation and mobility. Schlitz & Braud (1985) used biofeedback devices to measure the galvanic skin response (GSR) of people receiving distant Reiki. Stress is measured as skin resistance. There was a greater effect with subjects who had a high GSR and were stressed.
In 1997, Dr Olson, coordinator of Nursing Research, and Dr Hanson, research scientist at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, USA conducted some preliminary research into the usefulness of Reiki as an adjuvant to opioid therapy in the management of pain. Since high doses of opioids frequently aggravate other common symptoms of cancer patients, they wished to explore nonpharmaceutical adjuvants that might allow control of cancer pain with lower dosed of opioids. Patient perception of pain was measured using two standard tests immediately before and after the Reiki treatment. Both tests showed a highly significant reduction in pain following Reiki, and a further, more extensive study is now underway.
Samarel (1992) conducted a thorough investigation into the patient's experience of receiving Therapeutic Touch, using a qualitative approach with one open-ended interview followed by a second to clarify details. It was felt that this would best reveal the multidimensional nature of the therapy and its simultaneous impact on the physiological, mental/emotional, and spiritual aspects of life. Patients recalled focusing on unmet needs in all three areas prior to treatment, in particular physical discomfort. During the course of TT, there was a change in focus from negative to positive experiences, and from physical dimensions to more mental/emotional ones, especially relationships and roles. Finally, following treatment, experiences emphasised the spiritual dimension, referring to such things as spiritual love and faith. A typical example is, 'It seemed as if the pain was the most important reason I sought TT. But now it's not the pain that's important. I mean I have less pain, but what's really important is how I feel as a whole person.' Samarel summarised the results in the following way: 'The lived experience of TT is a dynamic, multidimensional experience of developing awareness and personal change leading to resonating fulfilment.'
Leading-edge Research in China
Over the last ten years, 'qi' or 'ki' energy has been studied at leading universities and scientific institutions in China. Quantum physicist Dr Yan Xin has spearheaded the research. Not unexpectedly, it seems that the physiological changes that occur during the 'ki state' mirror those of regular meditation, as do the health benefits. Of note is the use of ki energy for pain control through its potential to produce enkephalin in the brain and intestinal walls, and excite the body's morphine receptors to accept the enkephalin easily.
Experiments using 'external qi emissions', similar to sending distant Reiki, have been shown to affect the molecular properties of RNA and DNA, and various biochemical proceses. This has led to an innovative collaboration between science and the pharmaceutical industry, in which ki is used to improve the production of antibiotics. In 1990, final formal certification of the process concluded that 1) ki methods can improve the properties of certain antibiotic bacteria, optimizing the selection process; 2) through the methods of mass production ki can save large amounts of raw material; 3) ki can shorten the production period; 4) the efficacy of medicines are improved using ki; and 5) ki can increase production yields. No harmful effects of any kind were found to occur to humans or the environment using these methods.
In summary of the Chinese research, Dr Yan Xin concludes that ki is known to have properties of matter, energy and information. At the same time, according to different purposes of the experiments, ki can also display different attributes, such as being bi-directional, distance-transcending, self-controllable, reversible and targeting. He comments, 'Currently, due to the difficulty in monitoring and investigating qi phenomena, qi-related research is still superficial and limited in scope. At best we can measure only a tiny fraction, or an extremely small portion of the qi phenomena. The major portion of the qi phenomena remains to be investigated.' 'Qi needs science to resurrect itself, and through the process of resurrection and renewal, qi will enable science to make a great leap forward.'
References:
Becker, Robert O. 'The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life', Pub: William Morrow & Co. Inc. 1985
Bunnell T., 'A tentative mechanism for healing', Positive Health, Nov/Dec 1997. Cade M. & Coxhead N., 'The Awakened Mind;Biofeedback and the Development of Higher States of Awareness', pub: Element Books, 1996 (reprint).
Davies P, & Gribben J., 'The Matter Myth', Pub: Penguin, (1991). Hartwell B. & Brewitt B., 'The efficacy of Reiki hands-on healing: improvements in adrenal, spleen and nervous function as quantified by electro-dermal screening', Alternative Therapies, July 1997, Vol 3, 4.
Oschman J, & Oschman N., 'Energy Review (parts 1,2,3,4,5)', Jnl of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Vol 1, issues 1,2,3, Churchill Livingstone (1996/7).
Olson K. & Hanson J., 'Using Reiki to manage pain, a preliminary report', Prevention & controle en cancerologie, 1 (2) , 1997.
Samarel N., 'The experience of receiving therapeutic Touch', Jnl of Advanced Nursing 17, (1992).
Seto A. et al., 'Detection of extraordinarily large bio-magnetic field strength from human during external Qi emission', Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Int. Jnl. Vol 17. 1992.
Schlitz M. & Braud W., 'Reiki Plus natural healing: an ethnographic / experimental study', Psi Research, 4, (1985).
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'The effect of complementary healing therapy on postoperative pain after surgical removal of impacted third molar teeth', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 1, (1993).
'Dr Yan Xin on Scientific Qigong Research', International Yan Xin Qigong Assoc., (1999).
Yan Xin, 'Exploring the Mechanisms of Qigong Healing', 1999
Yan Xin Qigong Assoc. 'Structure and property changes in certain materials influenced by the external qi of qigong.' Material Research Innovations, 2, 349-359 (1999).
'The effect of short and long term qi emissions on three biochemical processes: nucleotide polymerization, protein (Fab fragment) crystallization, and enzyme (Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase) activity.' Materials Research Innovations, 2 (1999).
'Observation of the effect of external qi on the ultraviolet absorption of nucleic acids.' Ziran Zazhi (The Nature Journal, in Chinese), 11 (1988).
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