Reiki proponents believe that when one's qi is blocked, sickness can result. The gentle laying on of hands by a Reiki specialist can unblock that energy. Researchers think that the deep relaxation of a Reiki session may trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. The therapy may also relieve the anxiety and stress associated with having a chronic condition such as arthritis. A 1997 uncontrolled pilot study of 20 people with different kinds of pain found a significant reduction of pain after Reiki treatment.
Many anecdotal reports suggest the same thing.
One or two Reiki sessions should be enough to relieve stress, but more treatments may be needed for pain relief. For more information, see the WholeHealthMD Reference Library entry on Reiki . Find a Reiki practitioner near you. Many of my arthritis patients have found chiropractic to be an effective treatment for pain in their elbows, hands, knees, spine, and neck. The basic idea of chiropractic is that the nervous system, which affects the entire body and runs through the spinal column, can be blocked or damaged by problems in the spine or elsewhere in the musculoskeletal system.