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Reiki as a Complimentary Therapy

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Running head: REIKI AS A COMPLIMENTARY THERAPY 1

Reiki as a Complimentary Therapy
Ruth Ann O'Ski
State College of Florida

Author Note
This paper was prepared for Nursing Process I, taught by Professor McManigle and Professor Oakley-Hankins.

Abstract
Reiki is Japanese alternative healing therapy that originated in ancient Tibet (Anderson, 2001). Nurses use Reiki with patients in nursing interventions for relaxation, stress reduction, symptom relief, and in efforts to improve overall health and well-being. During a typical Reiki therapy session, the patient lies down or sits, fully clothed, then the practitioner's prone hands are placed lightly on or just above the patient's body, using a series of different hand positions. Scientific research is under way to learn more about Reiki’s therapeutic values.
Keywords: Reiki, complimentary and alternative medicine, CAM

Reiki as a Complimentary Therapy

Reiki is a holistic Japanese alternative healing therapy that originated in ancient Tibet (Anderson, 2001). In the United States, as well as many other parts of the world Reiki is accepted as part of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM). What makes Reiki unique is that it incorporates elements of many other alternative healing practices such as spiritual healing, auras, chakra balancing, meditation, aromatherapy, crystals, naturopathy, and homeopathy. Reiki practitioners place their hands lightly on or hover above the patient with the intent to transmit ki, life force energy, and the goal of facilitating the person's own healing response. Traditional comparable pharmacologic interventions include opioid analgesics, antidepressants, and antianxiety agents.

The word "Reiki" means “universal life energy”. (Richeson, Spross, Lutz, & Peng, 2010). Current Reiki practice can be traced to the spiritual teachings of Dr. Mikao Usui in Japan

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