Alt Med - Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, etc (9 of 20).

(from PT and Alternative Medicine)

The word, Reiki, is of Japanese origin. Rei means "universal spirit, unlimited," and ki refers to the "life force" or "energy." Reiki practitioners learn to treat through a series of 12 specific hand positions placed gently on the body, which facilitates the flow of Reiki energy through the practitioner, said to be manifested by a heightened feeling of warmth in the hands. The practitioner is said to merely serve as a conduit for the Reiki energy. The rituals purport to manipulate unseen "spiritual" forces.

An investigation of Reiki literature casts serious doubt as to whether their practitioners can be trusted with full disclosure of their metaphysical belief system. Reiki literature instructs practitioners on how to skirt the law in order to protect themselves from regulation and accountability.

Reiki is a variation of several “healing” superstitions, for example:

· Therapeutic Touch (performed by American nurses)

· Pranic healing

· Wicca (witchcraft)

· Qigong

· Shamanic healing practices

Proponents of these practices essentially admit that the evidence for their efficacy is essentially anecdotal and/or from poorly-designed studies, with many giving several reason why it cannot be studied by RCTs.

Summary: These practices are scientifically implausible, do not meet professionally accepted standards, and lack research support for effectiveness.