A place for Reiki in Western medicine

A common question I get from clients is regarding the place of Reiki in their overall treatment plan. Where does it fit into what the doctor has prescribed? Is it exclusive to other types of medicine? What, if any, contraindications might there be?

In mainstream medicine, the allopathic approach addresses disease as supported by evidence-based research. This is carried out using diagnostic tools such as imaging and lab work, while managing issues through prescription drug or surgical intervention. By definition, alternative medicine requires the cessation of conventional Western treatments in favor of a different modality. As you can imagine, this may be harmful, as in the case of an individual diagnosed with cancer or someone having an asthma attack. Complementary medicine refers to the use of alternative philosophies and techniques that, as the term implies, complements allopathy rather than excluding it. As a Registered Nurse who has served countless patients for over twenty years, I can attest to the healing powers of traditional and cultural practices when integrated into the treatment plan, not to mention the boost a patient receives from advocating for their preferred type of care.

One thing that I want to make very clear is that treatments such as Ayurveda, acupuncture, and Reiki are excellent complementary modalities, but they are not best used in place of necessary medical treatments. Reiki will not eliminate a bacterial infection, address a nerve impingement, or get someone off of dialysis, but it can identify and treat issues in the subtle realms which contribute to the severity of disease. Reiki has also been shown to improve patient outcomes by providing relief to symptoms such as pain, nausea, and anxiety. Additionally, it is an excellent preventative treatment. This is really where the beauty of complementary medicine comes in, as it tends to have a balancing effect on the whole organism of you: tonifying the functionality of all body systems and harmonizing the physical and non-physical aspects of your being.

Reiki also has a strong psychosomatic element, meaning that the mental & emotional parts of the self end up having a soothing effect on the physical aspects. In addition, not just Reiki but in fact many Eastern-originating health practices are well-known to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (the part of our nervous system that aids in rest, assimilation of nutrients, and reproductive health). In the modern world, stress and over-stimulation are so common that they are almost considered normal. There are often several factors at play in a disease process, and a tune-up to the parasympathetic system is an excellent component to a health maintenance program.