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Reiki treatment is considered a type of complementary medicine. The national Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) is currently sponsoring Reiki research in the areas of fibromyalgia, advanced aids, anxiety, prostate cancer and diabetes.

Conducting Reiki research can be difficult. Normally when scientists are conducting clinical research, they use two groups; one to receive active treatment and one to receive an inactive treatment or placebo. They use methods to insure that neither the patient nor the practitioner knows which group is receiving the active substance and which is receiving the placebo.

The reasoning behind this is simple. The power of suggestion is strong in people. about 35% of patients will respond to any form of treatment, whether active or inactive. This is known as the placebo effect.

In order to scientifically study Reiki treatment, all of the practitioners would need to believe that they were using Reiki. Some practitioners would somehow need to be taught to use Reiki incorrectly.

Some of us believe that simply teaching someone about the existence of Reiki, which is the universal life force or energy that lies within us all, allows them to use the energy positively in their own lives and the lives of others. In other words, no matter how the practitioners were taught to use Reiki, the treatment could still be effective. And also, a Reiki therapist can feel the flow of energy in their hands. Keeping practitioners blinded seems somewhat impossible to me.

But, despite the problems, NCCAM sponsored Reiki research is going forward. Researchers are investigating how Reiki treatment might work. This may be difficult, because it might require proving that the life force energy exists and our current technology does not allow us to see it or detect it in other ways.

Other Reiki research may be easier to conduct. Blood sugar levels, heart function and disease progression can be easily measured, so the research concerning diabetes and prostate cancer should be reasonably conclusive. But, there will still be the placebo effect to consider.

Reiki research regarding aids, fibromyalgia and anxiety will require more patient input and the results may not be considered scientifically conclusive. Reiki treatment should be very effective for anxiety, because one of the most commonly reported effects is a sense of relaxation. In addition, if patients with anxiety and those who are dealing with advanced aids are taught the Reiki way, they should experience a greater sense of well-being, a deep feeling of comfort and relaxation.

In fact, anyone can benefit from Reiki treatment or learning the Reiki way.

To learn more about bringing the power of Reiki into your own life please visit http://understanding-reiki.com.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a health writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles about Reiki. Read more at http://understanding-reiki.com

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