Science Daily recently published a review of a new study examining the efficacy of biofield therapies such as Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch, entitled Biofield Therapies: Helpful or Hype? that was conducted by Dr. Shamini Jain, from the UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, and Dr. Paul Mills, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, and the Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Diego, US.  The study found that these biofield therapies demonstrate “promising complementary interventions for reducing the intensity of pain in a number of conditions, reducing anxiety for hospitalized patients and reducing agitated behaviors in dementia, over and above what standard treatments can achieve.”  Additionally, the researchers found “strong evidence that biofield therapies reduce pain intensity in free-living populations, and moderate evidence that they are effective at lowering pain in hospitalized patients as well as in patients with cancer.” 

As a Reiki practitioner, I have seen the evidence of measurable pain reduction quite clearly while working with clients in my practice, including chronic pain and post-surgical pain.  I am pleased to see this evidence borne out as a result of clinical research.  As with any complementary therapy, individual response may vary, but generally speaking people are seeing good results with using Reiki and other biofield therapies for pain management and comfort for a number of different physical or medical conditions.   The inclusion of these biofield therapies in the clinical setting would be a welcome presence for many people and may reduce the amount of drugs or other interventions needed to keep patients stable and comfortable.

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween!  The weather was not very cooperative here in Atlanta, but I had the best Halloween ever taking my daughter trick-or-treating for the first time.   I also enjoyed carving a ”cat o’ lantern”, making pumpkin bread and roasting pumpkin seeds.  Yum! 
Of course, that means we are now officially at the start of the holiday season.  Many years ago I was a department store sales manager in NYC, which meant that the Christmas season started with the traditional Columbus Day sales.  Now, as a customer, I cannot walk into a store or mall without feeling empathy for the sales staff dealing with the extended hours and crush of customers.  I try to extend them positive energy, because a bit of goodwill makes a huge difference in their mood and also your experience.  Working the holidays for the six years I was in retail management was an exciting time, but also pretty stressful.  However, I guess many of us can say that about the holidays in general!   How do we get in the spirit – and remain close to Spirit during this time of year, when the demands on our time and energy are often so great?

I have some suggestions in my November newsletter , where I share some tips on restoring emotional and physical balance during the hectic holiday season.  It also includes information on the monthly donation-only Reiki clinic, as well as special pricing for individual Reiki healing sessions.   November marks one year since I started holding the donation-only Reiki clinics.  I’ve been so happy to be able to provide a low-cost opportunity for people in the Atlanta area to receive energy healing.  I’m looking forward to additional opportunities to share Reiki in the upcoming year and will let you know once plans have been finalized.

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