Within the healthcare field of Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a modality called Biofield Therapy. According to a publication in the National Institute of Health (NIH), Biofield Therapy is defined as “noninvasive therapies in which the practitioner explicitly works with a client's biofield (interacting fields of energy and information that surround living systems) to stimulate healing responses in patients.” (3) Biofield Therapy includes the practices of Reiki, Qi Gong, Healing Touch, and other energy focused modalities.
In recent years, more individuals are becoming aware of energy medicine and the importance of using this complementary and integrative approach to mental and physical health. All of the biofield therapies have one thing in common, the focused intention of energy movement in and around the body to influence the return to homeostasis. In other words, the intention to bring the body back into its optimal balanced state of existence and well-being using non-invasive techniques.
Manipulation of energy fields is not a recent approach to health. In fact, working with energy as a medicinal approach evolved from ancient techniques and practices and have evolved into today’s modern biofield practices. However, this field of CAM does need more research to gain wider acceptance by allopathic medical professionals, institutions, and insurance providers. Not only is this field of CAM an important field of study for research into existing medical concerns but is also an important approach to preventative care and overall wellness.
At some point, research and technology will catch up with this ancient ‘knowing’ that energy is medicine. This is possibly where medical science meets quantum reality. The definition of quantum, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is … “any of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided…”. Science has documented that the human body carries energy and is surrounded by energy. Energy is known by many names including Reiki, Prana, and Qi for example. To understand the implications of this type of therapy on the human structure/function, we need to understand more about our quantum footprint which begs for more research into this field of CAM with collaboration from medical professionals, researchers and physicists.
Despite science not knowing 'how it works', current research finds benefit in Reiki. This form of Biofield Therapy, Reiki, has been noted to help in pain relief, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and improved sleep. (1)(2)(4) Positive results have also been found with patients in palliative care along with depression and overall quality of life.
Reiki practitioners are mostly in private practice in the U.S. and the U.K. However, the U.K. is seeing more Reiki practitioners in Integrative Care settings such as hospitals (primarily in oncology) and Hospice care facilities. (1) With additional attention to this field of CAM, we hope to see more medical professionals collaborate with Reiki practitioners as a complimentary and integrative approach to patient care through referrals and research.
In the meantime, talk with a practitioner in the area of Biofield Therapy and find a program and practitioner that fits your needs. This integrative approach to wellness and personal healthcare may benefit you in unexpected and beautiful ways.
References:
(1) Abdurahman F, Payne N. Reiki practitioners' perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience, practice and future of Reiki. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2022 Feb;46:101530. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101530. Epub 2021 Dec 30. PMID: 34990899; PMCID: PMC8721325.
(2) Dyer NL, Baldwin AL, Rand WL. A Large-Scale Effectiveness Trial of Reiki for Physical and Psychological Health. J Altern Complement Med. 2019 Dec;25(12):1156-1162. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0022. Epub 2019 Oct 22. PMID: 31638407.
(3) Jain S, Hammerschlag R, Mills P, Cohen L, Krieger R, Vieten C, Lutgendorf S. Clinical Studies of Biofield Therapies: Summary, Methodological Challenges, and Recommendations. Glob Adv Health Med. 2015 Nov;4(Suppl):58-66. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.034.suppl. Epub 2015 Nov 1. PMID: 26665043; PMCID: PMC4654788.
(4) Thrane S, Cohen SM. Effect of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in adults: an in-depth literature review of randomized trials with effect size calculations. Pain Manag Nurs. 2014 Dec;15(4):897-908. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2013.07.008. Epub 2014 Feb 28. PMID: 24582620; PMCID: PMC4147026.
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