Scientific Research about Reiki

As Reiki becomes a more common healing modality in our society, many people wonder exactly what it is, how it works, and what evidence exists to show its effectiveness. For an introduction to Reiki, take a look at this short film that includes testimonials from practitioners and clients.

Reiki works by tapping into the human body’s electrical and magnetic fields. Our heartbeat is regulated by an electrical field that can be measured by an ECG or EKG, our brain produces a lower-level electrical field, and every cell in our body creates small amounts of electricity which contribute to a magnetic field, due to the positive and negative charges of the outer and inner cell walls. When you go to get an MRI scan, the internal mechanism producing the images of soft tissue is your body’s magnetic field (Thrane & Cohen, 2014). 

The job of a Reiki practitioner is to harness the client’s energy field and help move energy throughout the body to alleviate stuck points or energy blockages. Practitioners don’t cause the healing, they simply serve as a channel for the energy to move in the client. Many clients report feeling great relaxation and a release of tension through Reiki.  

McManus (2017) synthesized the findings of various studies on the effectiveness of Reiki compared to placebo treatment, and came to a few conclusions:

• Reiki is a complementary therapy that is safe and gentle enough for fragile clients, illustrating its benefits in hospitals and hospice settings. 

• 5 studies showed evidence that Reiki is better than placebo for inducing a physically relaxed state. Physiologically, Reiki reduces resting heart rate, increases heart rate variability, and lowers blood pressure. 

• 3 studies provided evidence that Reiki can help people manage chronic conditions, as weekly Reiki sessions for up to 8 weeks resulted in reduced anxiety/depression and increased self-esteem and quality of life. 

Charkhandeh, Talib, and Hunt (2016) conducted a study on Iranian adolescents to assess the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) versus Reiki on mental health outcomes, and concluded that both treatments effectively improved depression scores. While CBT had a significantly larger treatment effect than Reiki, the authors urge practitioners to value the way Reiki enhances treatment outcomes, and highlights that Reiki could serve as an effective intervention for individuals who may not seek out CBT or other mental health therapies. 

If you’re curious about Reiki, consider reaching out to our Reiki practitioner, Jessica Franzen, at mkewellness.com. 

References

Charkhandeh, M., Talib, M. A., & Hunt, C. J. (2016). The clinical effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy and an alternative medicine approach in reducing symptoms of depression in adolescents. Psychiatry Research, 239, 325-330. 

McManus, D. E. (2017). Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), 1051-1057. 

Thrane, S., & Cohen, S. M. (2014). Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations. Pain Management Nursing, 15(4), 897-908.

Preparing for the Summer Celebrations

The Fourth of July is a holiday that often entails loud, food-focused social gatherings. Many elements of these celebrations can be stressful to endure. By highlighting some of the “triggers” you may confront in the next few days, we hope to provide a few coping strategies that will help you take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health throughout the holiday. 

Family Gatherings

Being with family and friends can produce a range of emotions and experiences for people, from feeling rejuvenating to challenging. If you fall into the latter category, here are a few ideas for preparing for family festivities:

1. “Be like a Duck.” When someone interacts with you in a hurtful way, try to picture yourself as a duck, and their words as water rolling off your back. Try to remind yourself “this isn’t really about me.” 

2. Gravitate toward family members or friends who make you feel more comfortable. As needed, limit interactions with difficult people and focus your energy on conversations that will feel more life-giving. 

3. Check in with yourself and listen to your needs. If you need to take some space to breathe and re-center, or even leave the gathering early, give yourself permission to follow your inner wisdom.  Agree to a “check-in” time with your partner or set an alarm on your phone so you decide how long you would like to stay. Maybe it feels better to expect a two hour commitment ahead of time rather than an unknown time frame. Checking in while at the party can help relieve anxiety because you know there will be an opportunity to decide whether or not to stay longer- rather than just staying for an unknown amount of time.

4. Think about people who make you uncomfortable and why. Excuse yourself to use the restroom if topics of conversation or feedback feels negative. Use that time to re-ground with positive affirmations and slow breathing. Resist the urge to fuel negative thoughts about yourself or others.

Picnics and Barbecues

Eating during social gatherings can be tricky and challenging if you have dietary restrictions or personal preferences that require intentional eating. When partaking in traditional Fourth of July meals isn’t in your best interest, try to plan ahead with a few of these ideas:

1.  Don’t go to the event hungry! Eat a meal beforehand, or bring your meal to eat alongside the rest of your group. You will be less likely to succumb to the foods at the gathering (that may not nourish you in the way you need).

2. Bring a dish to share that aligns with your needs and preferences--maybe you will inspire others by your food and beverage choices. 

3. When you’re in a social situation where people are asking about your food habits, give a concise response and trust that you’re taking good care of your body. Remember that you do not need to convince anyone of your dietary choices and what you choose has nothing to do with what they choose for themselves.

4. Trying to stay sober? Bring your own non-alcoholic beverage that feels celebratory. Maybe you find a recipe for a non-alcoholic mixed drink. Drinking can feel like an assumed behavior, but should never be expected. Plan ahead for this and stay true to yourself.

Firework Displays

People who experience PTSD are highly susceptible to the loud, triggering noise of fireworks and bright flashing lights. In a similar vein, some individuals and pets are more sensitive to things like large crowds, fireworks, and overstimulation. With this is mind:

1. Remind yourself that having startle or upset reactions are normal, and try not to judge yourself harshly.  If the sound is too intense, bring along ear plugs (Even in large crowds this can help).

2. Practice grounding techniques like slow, deep breathing, mindfully observing the situation with your five senses, or noting the details of your present environment as a reminder that you are safe. 

3. Consider taking a drive outside the city, where you may even be able to watch the fireworks at a distance, or experience the beauty of nature. 

4. Reach out for help if your PTSD symptoms worsen/interfere with daily life. 

Hopefully these tips prepare you for an enjoyable Fourth of July experience. Remember that these tips can help with birthday parties, baby/bridal showers, weddings, etc. If you are feeling anxious or apprehensive about upcoming social events, take the time to investigate why you are stressed. Once you think about the boundaries or strategies you can use at the party, you can relax and trust that you are going to have a good time!

References

Burn, S. M. (2018). Holiday Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Family Members. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/presence-mind/201811/holiday-strategies-dealing-difficult-family-members

Healthy You. (2018). How to manage PTSD on the 4th of July. Retrieved from www.peacehealth.org.

The Link between Inflammation and Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, and can significantly affect one’s ability to carry out daily tasks and find enjoyment in life. One in ten adults in the United States face depression in a given year. There are many options for treating depression, including psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, and acupuncture, but few people are aware of another treatment entry-point: addressing inflammation.

Research shows that inflammation can worsen depressive symptoms or even lead to depression in some individuals. When our bodies are confronted with viruses, toxins, and bacteria, our immune system responds by sending cells, tissues, and proteins into attack mode. The result of this attack on the foreign entity in the body is inflammation. You might be familiar with inflammation of an injured body part, for example, that becomes hot, red, and swollen. In other cases, though, your whole body system becomes inflamed, which results in changes to your physical, behavioral, and cognitive health. 

A great defense against depression and way to increase overall health is to reduce inflammation.

Here are a few ways to do this:

1. Reduce your stress levels by practicing deep breathing, getting good sleep, and listening to your needs.

2. Be intentional about food choices: increase anti-inflammatory foods like berries, leafy greens, olive oil, almonds, and fish. Try to avoid things like soda, alcohol, refined sugars, empty carbs (pasta, breads, etc) and fried foods. 

3. Get moving: physical activity like talking a brisk walk, stretching while watching tv, playing with your kids outside, and doing yoga can help fight inflammation. 

4. Talk with your healthcare provider about incorporating supplements like omega 3 and probiotics, which have been shown to normalize stress-induced inflammation. 

If you face an immune disorder, be aware that depressive symptoms may co-occur. Similarly, if you struggle with depression, be careful to avoid things that could trigger your immune response. The more you know about how your body reacts to stress and inflammation, the more you can take good care of yourself. 

References

Azab, M. (2018). The Brain on Fire: Depression and Inflammation. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-everyday-life/201810/the-brain-fire-depression-and-inflammation

Hope for Depression. Depression Facts. Retrieved from https://www.hopefordepression.org/depression-facts/

National Institute of Mental Health. Major Depression. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml

Rodriguez, T. (2018). Probiotics, Depression, and the Role of Inflammation. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/depression-advisor/probiotics-depression-and-the-role-of-inflammation/
Wei, M. (2017). New Research Shows Depression Linked with Inflammation. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/urban-survival/201701/new-research-shows-depression-linked-inflammation