REIKI. Is it a load of bollocks

[Fashio]

It sounds it. But I’m a sucker for all that.

@LookslovelyinSpringtime

I don’t fleece people. How rude and ignorant you are.

My practitioner charged me nothing at all. And she gave me a second round a couple of days later. As I said, a group of us were in a cafe, someone had brought her along, and my ankle was fixed in jig time.

I think it does do something, and I think the same with reflexology and acupuncture. I know there isn't a scientific explanation (not yet anyway) but it really seems to help a lot of people. Maybe that's the placebo effect but if so it just goes to prove how powerful the mind can be. I think there are probably good and bad practitioners. Definitely don't believe in homeopathy though.

Current scientific knowledge is exactly my point though. 100 years ago people had no idea about all sorts of stuff we understand now. Thats why i find the strength of opinion so interesting. Scientists cannot explain consciousness, it's known as the hard problem.

@PeriodHacker

I'm one of the biggest sceptics when it comes to anything like this BUT as a few others have said I definitely felt heat radiating from hands! It was a bit unsettling.

Oh almost anyone can do that - I certainly can!

Go through the motions with a friend and see if they feel it. Assuming that it's a warm room and you are also warm and comfortable then they'll almost certainly feel the heat.

It doesn't mean it's doing anything useful

And what is the placebo effect? Can anyone explain that with scientific knowledge?

@Waftypants

And what is the placebo effect? Can anyone explain that with scientific knowledge?

In very basic terms, believing something will work can have a beneficial effect. With nonsense like Reiki, it’s the ceremony that makes people feel ‘better’. You’re having someone dedicate time to you, in a warm and pleasant environment. You may be being touched in a nice way. It’s that that produces the beneficial effect, not bollocks about imaginary energy fields. It’s the same effect that you’d get from other nonsense like Reflexology, or to be honest someone mumbling ‘Izzy wizzy let’s get busy’ over you while treating you as important and worthy of attention. In a sometimes depersonalised health system, where GPS and other HCPs don’t have time for ritual, ceremony or dedicating time to make someone feel special and worthy of attention, of course someone doing that will make you feel good. It’s all in the ceremony, not the woo that accompanies it.

If ‘practitioners’ of stuff like this were actually honest about what they were doing instead of pretending that it’s all to do with some bollocks mysticism I’d have far more respect for them. Charging someone for your time to pay people attention that they deserve is fine as long as you’re honest about it; telling them that there’s a magical reason why they feel better is charlatanism. It’s no better than ‘spiritualists’ tricking people into parting with their money in Victorian times.

Wow. There are some really ignorant and offensive replies on here.

DismantledKing yes I get that but how does that explain the placebo effect in drug trials? And why does it work if you beleive in it? If that's the case, if what's the harm in believing in it ? Surely that's an argument for believing, not dismissing it.

www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-power-of-the-placebo-effect

@Elieza

Wow. There are some really ignorant and offensive replies on here.

You mean the charlatans peddling the 'woo' claptrap for money?

I agree.

@Elieza

Wow. There are some really ignorant and offensive replies on here.

The old classic ‘that’s offensive!’ tactic. Used to shut down criticism of nonsense for centuries.

I’ve had it a few times with different practitioners, and only one of them made me feel anything was happening. It wasn’t a heat feeling but a really strong sensation of something spinning very fast in my throat. It was definitely a genuine physical sensation.

@DismantledKing
“The old classic ‘that’s offensive!’ tactic. Used to shut down criticism of nonsense for centuries.“
——-
Yup, and yours is the traditional response of Put down what’s been said and hopefully if enough agree then it somehow makes something incorrect turn into the truth!!

Most people thought the earth was flat. Look how that turned out…

Just though of Blackadder there:“never poopoo a poopooer”. Ha ha, I am indeed poopooing a poopooer. I digress, but a great prog that was.

@Elieza

Wow. There are some really ignorant and offensive replies on here.

Wow there are some really gullible people on here

[quote Elieza]@DismantledKing
“The old classic ‘that’s offensive!’ tactic. Used to shut down criticism of nonsense for centuries.“
——-
Yup, and yours is the traditional response of Put down what’s been said and hopefully if enough agree then it somehow makes something incorrect turn into the truth!!

Most people thought the earth was flat. Look how that turned out…

Just though of Blackadder there:“never poopoo a poopooer”. Ha ha, I am indeed poopooing a poopooer. I digress, but a great prog that was. [/quote]

That's actually a hilarious response 😂

You know what changed peoples minds about the Earth being flat?

SCIENCE

Not woo, ooh I have a feeling it might work bullshit.

Show me the scientific evidence that Reiki is genuine and I will read it.

Ooh. A fight. Tremendous

Yes. But reflexology is lovely, have that instead!

I think it’s only a matter of time til science proves reiki works.

There maybe evidence out there already, I haven’t looked.

I’m sure there must be evidence somewhere of it being beneficial to some degree (even if people don’t yet understand how it works) or nhs trusts wouldn’t employ staff to deliver it?

Those who haven't experience Reiki can't make a proper judgement. I use it on family and friends, and don't charge. I also use it on my cat. I have worked with clients in the past. I didn't charge rip off prices. I paid for my training and put a lot of effort into working with clients to ensure they benefitted. That doesn't mean lying to them and pretending I could do something I couldn't . Sorry to disappoint all the spiteful and nasty posters who don't know what they're talking about.

It's noticeable that the anti brigade are projecting negative energy and the pro Reiki element are projecting positive energy.

Energy says a lot if you're in tune with it!!

@LookslovelyinSpringtime

Those who haven't experience Reiki can't make a proper judgement. I use it on family and friends, and don't charge. I also use it on my cat. I have worked with clients in the past. I didn't charge rip off prices. I paid for my training and put a lot of effort into working with clients to ensure they benefitted. That doesn't mean lying to them and pretending I could do something I couldn't . Sorry to disappoint all the spiteful and nasty posters who don't know what they're talking about.

I mean you lost any semblance of sanity when you said you do it on your cat. Ffs.

I learnt massage and my teacher taught us to put our palms nearly together then take them apart a few times before giving a massage so that your hands will be warm before giving any massage.

Also, my father could and DD can take away headaches by putting their hands on your head. They can feel where the pain is. They 'wish' it away. It goes but they're left with the pain and raised red welts along their arms. This all started by my father pretending to take away DM's headache once years ago and it working. I'm sure lots of people can do things like this.

@Elieza

I think it’s only a matter of time til science proves reiki works.

There maybe evidence out there already, I haven’t looked.

I’m sure there must be evidence somewhere of it being beneficial to some degree (even if people don’t yet understand how it works) or nhs trusts wouldn’t employ staff to deliver it?

They use it in the NHS because of placebo effect and the relaxation it gives to patients who are having a shit time. They don't claim it is going to have any effect on cancer or anything like that.

There is no 'science' behind Reiki.

Are you seriously suggesting the NHS pays for something which is a placebo effect? Really?