Reiki

[Fanatic]

Has anyone tried Reiki? Could you tell me a little bit about it?

Do you know what they call alternative medicine that has been proven to work?
Medicine.
(Courtesy of Tim Minchin)

Seriously, though, people who pay through the nose for alternative therapies are being exploited. Just like the millions of Christians in the USA who fund the "pastors" of megachurches, paying for their private jets and multimillion dollar mansions.
There's not a lot more to it than that.

Sunscorch - yes there are some unscrupulous therapists but I'm not sure you will find many Reiki practitioner with private jets!

There is actually a legal code of practice for complimentary therapists so they are not/and should not be claiming that they can cure cancer or perform miracles etc.

With Reiki specifically as I have said in earlier posts it works in the best interest of that person and soul. It could that it is the persons time to go and so Reiki will them work to ease the passing - it is not sold as a cure all.

Modern medicine is great but it still can't cure everything can it? I mean there are obviously the big diseases such as cancer and AIDS that don't have a cure but there are also many smaller diseases that don't have a cure either such as PMT, Migraines, IBS, infertility etc so I don't think that modern medicine is the solution to everything.

However with some of these illnesses Reiki can either fill the gaps in modern medicine i.e provide help with fertility if IVF doesn't work or it can support the moden medicine i.e. helping to give energy to someone undergoing chemo.

Personally I see Reiki as "complementary" rather than "alternative".

I don't really think that you can compare Reiki practitioners to the pastors of mega churches on megabucks. Most Reiki sessions cost between £20-£40 depending on area - so not an extortionate ammount but people do get alot out of it.

I think if something helps you then you should go for it and ignore anyone who tries to bully you. Recent evidence shows a lot of medicine, SSRIs are a case in point, to be no better than placebo yet the "scientists" among us would push you to take those before trying reiki.

I agree with the statement upthread that science is meant to explore and discover not to claim to know it all and to bully people. It never ceases to amaze me the rude and patronising tone taken towards those who believe in anything other than science and atheism.

(Btw, I am a scientist but am not arrogant enough to assume I know the truth about everything and have no problem with other people having their own opinions as long as I don't have to pay for it)

Yes, I agree with FiftyShades.

It stuns me that people who call themselves "scientists" use ranting and bullying to close down debate. I wish they'd just go and get on with book burning.

There is actually a legal code of practice for complimentary therapists so they are not/and should not be claiming that they can cure cancer or perform miracles etc.

That simply isn't true. None of the complementary therapies are legally regulated, and none of their "titles" are protected terms. Literally anyone can call themselves a reiki master and charge you £20 to wave their hands over you a bit.

It doesn't matter whether the person selling their reiki "services" believes in its efficacy or not. The fact is that it's an expensive placebo, and it is therefore exploitative.

On a practical level ignoring all the science/magic bollocks as a demonstration as to what reiki feels like, if you hold the palm of your hand as close to your cheek as you can without actually touching it, you'll sense a bit of heat/warmth. That's it, just like that. That sensation on the various parts of your body where the 'healing hands' hover/almost touch. Whether it will cure all ailments, or just make your feel a bit warm and nowt else who knows. But, I've enjoyed it, no idea about chi or chakras or any of that stuff. It's just really relaxing and I enjoy it. Never paid more than a tenner for it though. I'd certainly not pay £50!

Sunscorch - it is true - quote below about what complimentary therapists are allowed to claim - more can be found online

Registered practitioners must never claim to 'cure'. The possible therapeutic benefits may be described following a face to face consultation (under S12(1) of the Medicines Act 1968); 'recovery' must never be guaranteed. Complementary therapists are not permitted to countermand instructions or prescriptions given by a doctor.

           Registered practitioners must never give a medical diagnosis to a client/patient this

           is the responsibility of a registered medical practitioner.

           Registered practitioners are forbidden to diagnose, perform tests or treat animals in any way or give advice following diagnosis by a registered veterinary surgeon or to countermand his instructions.

            Except in cases of sudden or urgent necessity, it is an offence for anyone other than a certified midwife to attend a woman in childbirth without medical supervision or for  anyone other than a  registered nurse to attend for reward  as  nurse  on a woman  in childbirth  or  during  a  period  of  10 days thereafter.

"Personally I see Reiki as "complementary" rather than "alternative""

In your opinion, what is the distinction between the two?

Does it work or not?

If it works, why does it need to be complemented by something else (that works)?

"Registered practitioners must never claim to 'cure'."

What can they claim or provide then? Feel-good factor that's entirely in your head?

"people who call themselves "scientists" use ranting and bullying to close down debate"

If you would like to debate, why don't you answer what she has said?

It is not even a debate. The reality here is that a physicist just told you how things work and you couldn't answer because (1) you don't know enough, and (2) she is right.

What you mean by debate is that you read her post, sulk, can't say anything in reply, and still want your irrational views to be respected.

Well, that's not quite how debates work.

CoteDAzur - I would think the difference in meaning is pretty obvious:
Complementary - is a treatment that can work with or complement traditional medicine that the patient is taking.
Alternative - would be offering the treatment as an alternative to traditional medicine

I'm not sure I understand your point that "a physicist just told you how things work". Are all physicists right about everything then? Is no one allowed to belive anything unless you and entrophygirl approve it?

I've asked before of both of you but not really had an answer as to why you are so very bothered about people beliving in Reiki or finding that it works for them. Are you the same about Christians, Muslims etc?

1. I just held my hand about an inch away from my face and I could feel a warm glow in my cheek. Does this mean I am a Reiki master?

1. It matters that people who practice this sort of thing are questioned because it's bd for individuals if they are encouraged to pay good money for something that cannot work. It also means that they may avoid getting proper effective treatment for some condition until it's too late. It's also bad for society if people don't question things and apply critical thinking skills.

For Heaven's sake Cote, if you insist on accuracy in others you should consider both sides of an argument. I work in the NHS and when training healthcare professionals I always point out to them that most of the medicines we use in the NHS do not "cure" anything, antibiotics and chemotherapy being the most obvious exceptions. If you think about most medicines they either suppress symptoms (e.g. painkillers, antihistamines, inhalers, etc) or aim to re-establish a balance in something (antidiabetics, blood pressure, etc)

People who work in medicine do not claim it cures most diseases.

As someone working in medicine I suspect your question regarding the difference between complementary and alternative to be disingenuous as it is very clear. These therapies were known as alternative but some people took that term to be a recommendation or permission to stop other treatment. It was changed to complementary to make it clear (in the case of good practitioners) that treatment from GPs, NHS, etc should not be stopped in favour of these treatments.

If GPs and other healthcare professionals have no objection to patients using them in a complementary way, why do you have such a problem with it?

seeker - I'd say that was the 36.5 C warmth of your hand that you just felt, not some mysterious love-energy of the universe

1. I just held my hand about an inch away from my face and I could feel a warm glow in my cheek. Does this mean I am a Reiki master?

That's not what I said was it? I explained what the sensation was like. I didn't mention anything about Reiki masters did I? I'm not a 'reiki master', never claimed to be one. Not quite sure why you are taking that 'tone' with me.

Just so consistently rude. It does close down debate. Who wants to be on a thread like this, being subjected to aggressive attacks just for wanting to talk about something? Go and burn some books, there are plenty out there.

Fiftyshades of viper it is really interesting to here the point of view of someone who works in the nhs.

Modern medicine can do wonderful things and as a complementary therapist i would never tell someone they didnt need to take their medicine or not to go to the doctor. That woul be incredibly irresponsible. Reiki is not about competing but about enhancing and spporting treatments.

I agree with comfortmewith apples that rudeness and bullying does close down a debate. Just because you disagree with people its no excuse for insults.

Actually, reiki might help the ranters to relate to people better. Or at least show them some respect.

angelic - Please answer my questions:

Does It Work Or Not?

If it does, WHY can't it work on its own - i.e. WHY does it need to complement another treatment (that works)?

For believers, no proof is necessary. For non believers, no proof is possible.

"I always point out to them that most of the medicines we use in the NHS do not "cure" anything"

The question is "Do they WORK?"

That is, do painkillers stop the pain. Yes, they do. Do antihistamines stop the itching? Yes, they do. We know this NOT because patients say so, but because double-blind tests repeatedly SHOW that they do.

Does Reiki work? No, it doesn't. We know this NOT because its practitioners say so, but because double-blind tests SHOW that it doesn't.

You people saying "Ooh but I felt so much better afterwards" is neither here nor there. I feel much better after a blow dry but doesn't mean hairdressing "masters" channel the universe's mystic energy into my brain. Or does it?

Yes i believe it works. So do many other people but no i cant offer you the scientific proof you so desire.

It can be used on its own or it can complement other medicines. Im not saying that it cant work on its own but just that perxonally i am not someone who would say you can either have medical treatment or reiki. You can have both and they can work well together.

As i have said before reiki ix not a cure all and it works on many levels physical,emotional and spiritual.

I'm a tad confused Cote I had some reiki on it's own, not to compliment anything, and found it very relaxing. I didn't need it for any reason, and I just enjoyed it. I didn't pay for it initially as my friend 'practised' on me while she got her Reiki Masters the mythical bit of paper under debate here and I didn't actually expect to feel anything. But, it just made me feel really relaxed. I would go as far as saying anyone charging £50 is taking the piss, but as a relaxation technique, it works for me. Does that help answer your question? Or have I just set myself up to be ridiculed by you for trying to answer your question?

I believe . I have done Reiki 1, waiting to do the next level.

I don't care if you don't believe. Its not important.

Makes me happy. So there