Reiki Therapy for Depression

According to Discovery Health, many doctors are starting to prescribe Reiki for patients with all kinds of illnesses, including depression. Reiki can help some patients with physical and emotional pain management and reduce side effects from medication. If you suffer from depression, consider talking with your doctor or a Reiki professional about the potential mental and physical benefits of Reiki therapy.

What Is Reiki?

• The word "Reiki" comes from the Japanese words "rei" and "ki," meaning "spiritually guided" and "energy or force," respectively. Reiki is a form of healing that seeks to manipulate the energy field around all human beings. Reiki practitioners study the ancient art of Reiki dating back to ancient Tibet to learn how to harness this energy field, referred to as the "Universal Life Force," to bring overall healing to the body, mind and spirit. Reiki practitioners hold their hands in one of 12 positions over or on the body to bring energy to the patient.

How Does Reiki Help Depression?

• Reiki therapy can help patients suffering from depression in several ways. First, depression often causes fatigue and painful physical symptoms that Reiki therapy may help dissipate. Depression causes anxiety and restlessness, and Reiki therapy can help patients learn to relax and find ways to lower stress levels. Relaxation techniques can bring about a general sense of well-being that can ease depression symptoms. The physical healing that takes place in some Reiki patients may help reduce side effects of antidepressants by promoting general overall health. Reiki can also give patients a type of spirituality to hold on to. This is particularly helpful for patients who may not identify with organized religion.

Studies and Professional Use

• There is no medical proof that Reiki therapy can help all depression patients, but it is a therapy with no side effects. A 1996 study conducted by professors at the University of Texas Houston Health Science Center found that study participants' skin temperatures rose during Reiki sessions, which showed increased states of relaxation. Blood pressure dropped in the study's subjects and saliva levels rose, showing healthy immune function. Participants also reported a drop in anxiety levels.

  According to The Reiki Center, The Cleveland Clinic uses Reiki therapy to treat patients with many different illnesses, from cancer to depression. The Reiki Research Foundation conducted a study that reported an 87 percent reduction of depression symptoms in participants. In 2008, the United States Army announced a $4 million research product to study the effectiveness of Reiki and other energy and spiritual treatment methods.