Compiled by Pat Cougar R.N., Reiki Master
In the 1970's, science shifts its view of energy, and quantum physics shows us that we are energy fields moving and interacting with created matter and its energy fields. In the Western world, it was an exciting period of time for a modern "re-discovery" of the existence of a human energy system and using bioenergy for healing. While Russia had the Kirlians photographing the outer energy fields or auras of plants, animals and people, in the United States we had Dr. Thelma Moss doing similar work(1). Through her research we are shown pictures of hands sending energy to another for healing, how and energy field changes during acupuncture, and when a person has taken coffee and a cigarette.
In the next several years, many individuals, universities and institutions conducted research on energy healing modalities. In 1990 Americans spent about $12 billion for alternative therapies(2). This amount was for direct services and did not include equipment, devices, books or preparations such as herbs and homeoPathic medicines. Under public pressure, as well as financial concerns from Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's), in 1992 the National Institute of Health's (NIH) Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM) was formed in the United States. Its purpose is to sponsor research into complementary medicine, and in 1994 a report was made available to the public: "Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons(3).
In 1995, William Rand, director of the Center for Reiki Training, published "Reiki Research" on his website(4). He summarizes eight pieces of research to validate the effectiveness of Reiki or similar healing techniques using bioenergy.
In 1997, brewitt, Vittetoe, and Hartwell published a study evaluating the effects of Reiki on chronic illness(5). Five subjects with multiple sclerosis, lupus, fibromyalgia, or thyroid goiter, were given eleven one-hour Reiki sessions over a nine week period. These subjects received no other methods of treatment during the study. Improvement in spleen, immune, and nervous system function were quantified by electrodermal screening. In addition, all subjects reported a reduction of pain, an increase in relaxation, and more mobility after the Reiki.
It seems that nurses have been in a unique position as healing professionals, to help make "hands-on" healing methods more acceptable to the public. Dolores Krieger, professor of Nursing at New York University, developed Therapeutic Touch in the 1970's(6)(7). The theory that one person's energy field could interact with another's to promote healing was into practice in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes this "hands-on" healing method today. Similar approaches, Healing Touch and Reiki, have steadily gained in popularity, particularly among nurses.
In 1980, the American Holistic Nurses' Association (AHNA) was founded and is presently enjoying a large membership of nurses in the U.S. and world-wide(8). One of its many functions is to promote research in holistic nursing. The Association offers research grants and publishes a monthly journal, the Journal of Holistic Nursing, which includes articles on holistic research, current literature, and book reviews.
Nurse Wendy Wetzel, studied the effects of Reiki on hemoglobin, in the late 1980's(9). Dolores Krieger had used hemoglobin studies earlier in her research project for Therapeutic Touch. Both researchers were able to demonstrate measurable physiological effects of these healing modalities on the human body.
For the past ten years, two Reiki Masters, Libby barnett, M.S.W. and Maggie Chambers, have brought Reiki into many hospitals and hospice programs. In their book, published in 1996, they list examples and case studies of effectively using Reiki with psychotherapy, hospice Patients and staff, and in the hospital setting with cancer, AIDS, diabetes, transplant, and surgical Patients(10). Although barnett and Chambers did not do scientific research, the improvements in Patients' condition were observed and documented by medical staff and, most importantly, felt by the recipients. Barnett and Chambers also list several schools of medicine, including Dartmouth, University of Virginia, University of Arizona, and Georgetown University, which introduce medical students to comple-mentary medicine. Barnett and Chambers have also conducted classes on Reiki with first and second year medical students at Tufts. They discuss other programs that use Reiki, such as the well known Wellspring Cancer program, which offers Reiki sessions as part of the week-long residential retreat.
Julie Motz, M.P.H., has pioneered the use of energy healing in the operating room for the past several years(11). She started with her first surgery in 1994 with Dr. Mehmet Oz, a leading cardio-thoracic surgeon in the U.S., working out of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. In 1986, Ms Motz learned Reiki. She has also studied reflexology, macrobiotics, Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, and hypnosis. Ms Motz also has an appreciation of modern science, as she was exposed to physics by her father, a theoretical physicist. She believes that human cells and organs have memory and emotions, and that hiding emotions creates disease. Through her energy work, Patients show less depression, pain lower than average organ rejection rates, a better functioning immune system, and a positive attitude for healing.
In the spring of 2000, the California Board of Registered Nursing issued a statement regarding complementary and alternative therapies in registered nursing practice(12). It describes the ability of R.N.'s to practice complementary therapies and provide information regarding these therapies to Patients.
- Moss, Thelma, Ph.D. The Body Electric. New York; St. Martin's Press, 1979
- Cahill, Matthew, et al; Nurses Handbook of Alternative & Complementary Therapies. Springhouse Corp. 1999; p. 7
- Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons; NIH pub. 94-066. Washington DC, US Government Printing Office, 1994. Current publications available from the OAM Clearing House (Toll Free number 1-888-644-6226) and their Internet Website http://www.altmed.od.nih.gov
- Rand, William Lee; http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/reiki24.html
- Brewitt, B., Vittetoe, T, and Hartwell, B. "The Efficacy of Reiki Hands-On Healing: Improvements in spleen and nervous system function as quantified by electrodermal screening". Alternative Therapies, July 1997, Vol.3, No.4, pg.89
- Krieger, D. The Therapeutic Touch. New Jersey; Prentice-Hall, 1979
- Krieger, D. Living the Therapeutic Touch. New York; Dodd, Mead & Co. 1987
- American Holistic Nurses' Association, P.O. Box 2130, Flagstaff, AZ 86003-2130, USA; Tel: (800)278-2462; Fax: (520)526-2752; e-mail: ahna-flag@flaglink.com; website: http://www.ahna.org
- Wetzel, Wendy M.S.N., R.N., "Reiki Healing: A physiologic Perspective", Journal of Holistic Nursing, Vol.7, No.1, 1989
- Barnett, Libby and Chambers, Maggie; Reiki Energy Medicine. Vermont; Healing Arts Press, 1996
- Motz, Julie. Hands of Life. New York; Bantam Books, 1998
- The BRN Report, Volume 13, No.1, Spring 2000; http://www.m.ca.gov
