Breast Cancer and Reiki

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, about 212,900 ladies in the U.S. Can understand they've invasive breast cancer. American women have a 1 in 8 chance of creating this kind of cancer at some time inside their lives, and approximately 2 million have been already treated for the illness. Luckily, death rates from breast cancer have decreased significantly. Early recognition as well as advances in other and chemotherapy treatments signify annually brings more and more breast cancer survivors.[i]As with any cancer, standard treatments for breast cancer may cause their particular variety of health challenges. Sickness, vomiting, baldness, and reduced blood cell counts frequently follow radiation and chemotherapy. In a recent study published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Michael Hassett of Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered that 16 danger of breast cancer patients under age 64 required a hospital visit to control chemotherapy area effects.[ii] Chemotherapy goals all rapidly growing cells, including white blood cells (referred to as neutrophils), which support the defense mechanisms. Neutropenia, indicating white blood cell counts have dropped below normal levels, lowers immune a reaction to intruders like bacteria, worms and fungi.[iii] Consequently, the most common and serious basis for the post-chemo hospital appointments was high fever from attacks. Anemia-resulting from reduced red blood cell count-poses additional battles in the form of serious fatigue.Anti-nausea drugs, blood transfusions and lab-made white blood cell "boosters" now form section of a growing arsenal of coping strategies.[iv] However for women who feel conflicted about taking drugs in the very first place, these solutions can look too toxic as well as include additional claims. The neurtophil pills, as an example, cause temporary bone pain as the marrow swiftly generates more tissues. Leigh Leming, 54, a cancer survivor whose cancer later returned and metasticized, decided that this time she wanted to try something different. Not able to eat due to sickness, she today follows the guidance of an Ayurvedic cook. She drinks a go of ginger, orange juice, and honey before each meal. "It could be the only factor that keeps my food down," Leming describes. Because 2 ounces of wheat grass juice include vitamins equivalent to 4 pounds of organic produce: "The big difference in my energy levels is amazing!"A patient at St, she also requires wheat grass juice to build up her blood counts. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Leming discovered fliers providing Heilerseminar periods there. Reiki (obvious "RAY-key") is definitely an ancient healing electricity process rediscovered in the late nineteenth century with a Japanese monk named Dr. Mikao Usui. The "Rei" stands for "universal," and the "ki" describes "life drive energy" much like "Chi" in Chinese healing or "prana" in yoga. Thus, Reiki means "universal life force energy," which works on all levels-physical, psychological, mental, and spiritual. By impacting all these amounts, Reiki is assumed softly but substantially to increase people's natural abilities to cure themselves. It's possible to conduct Reiki with hands on or above the body, and even across great distances. Many people observe it as heat, tingling or perhaps a feeling of strong love and support.Leming's friends at St. Luke's Wellness Center explained they get Reiki times prior to chemotherapy to be able to offset a few of their post-chemo responses. Dramatic improvement wasn'ticed by other patients in pain levels following Reiki treatments. After experiencing a few of this pain relief herself-"I really forget to just take my pain capsules after a Reiki session"-Leming collected a small grouping of patients and survivors to understand how to address themselves with Reiki. Having acquired an attunement (opening of your body's normal energy paths) from a Reiki Master Teacher, they can now feel Reiki flowing through their particular hands. Even though her pain dividends, Leming reports a larger feeling of stillness and peace when working with pain, as well as other cancer stressors like funds and family relationships.No proper U.S. studies have proven Reiki's effectiveness in managing cancer; but, The Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative recently given a grant to Dr. Ahlam Mansour of the School of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Mansour will study "the aftereffects of Reiki on the degree of anxiety, actual issues, spiritual wellbeing, and full blood counts in patients undergoing their initial AC (chemotherapy )."[v] The June 1997 issue of Cancer Prevention Get a grip on contributed early results from the controlled study at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Canada. Twenty volunteers with chronic pain, including pain from cancer, received Reiki therapies from a certified Reiki Level 2 doctor. Review administrators used both a analog scale (VAS) and a scale to measure pain before and after Reiki. The analysis unearthed that receiving Reiki significantly enhanced pain levels.[vi]Across america, hospices and hospitals have started to price Reiki. In 1997, Nancy Samson, RN, BS, began managing a volunteer Reiki plan in the radiation oncology ward at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic in New Hampshire. Currently, the middle hosts Reiki Certification Classes and promotes 50% payment of type expense for DHMC personnel. [vii] The famous California Pacific Medical Center's Health and Healing Clinic presents Reiki, along side acupressure, nutritional therapy and yoga. [viii] Hospices significantly present Reiki to patients as a means of easing pain and reducing anxiety about the unknown.Arizona hosts one of many connections between Reiki and traditional cancer therapy. Sally Soderlund, RN (Help Services Manager for Oncology) directs the Tucson Medical Center (TMC) Reiki Center. The Reiki system at TMC started over 11 years ago in the Cancer Care Unit. It has since branched out to other places of a medical facility as well. Reiki providers at TMC frequently explain Reiki as "healing energy" and work together in two individual teams. They stress the therapeutic and calming qualities of Reiki, instead of diving into metaphysics. Although spiritual experiences are reported by some patients during Reiki sessions, volunteers explain that Reiki is a therapeutic system, not just a faith. The TMC clinic's success continues as a result of patient requests for repeat sessions in addition to nurse studies of increased patient feeling and recovery rate.[ix]The American Cancer Society regards Reiki as a "safe" supporting cancer therapy. Their site appreciates people' subjective accounts of Reiki's power to speed recovery and enhance their sense of well-being. Like rub, Reiki reduces stress levels, reduces heartrate and triggers peace. Reports suggest that people recover better should they could remain in a low tension condition. Because massage basically manipulates tissue, though, the American Cancer Society recommends preventing parts near tumors until analysis displays if tissue manipulation can distribute cancer cells to the rest of the body.[x] Unlike massage, Reiki involves a touch or no touch at all: there's no tissue manipulation. Readers stay clothed while energy flows above and within their human body. If you have multiple tumefaction internet sites, a chance is offered by Reiki to utilize the healing power of pleasure without the contraindications.[i] American Cancer Society: Caner Reference Information. cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_1X_How_many_people_get_breast_cancer_5.asp?sitearea=[ii] About Health and Fitness: breastcancer.about.com/[iii] "How Cancer Can Put You prone to Serious Infection." Healthmonitor: July-August 2006, p. S3.[iv] "Take Care of Yourself." Healthmonitor: July-August 2006, p. S4.[v] Source: Office of Communications, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, usask.ca/communications/ocn/Apr24/news8.html.[vi] Source: Olson E, Hanson N, 1997. "Using Reiki to control pain: a preliminary report." Cancer Reduction Get a handle on 1997, June, Vol.1( 2 ): pages 108-13.[vii] Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Sessions and Functions. dhmc.org/dhmc/webpage.cfm?site_id=2&morg_id=0&org_id=1&sec_id=3&gsec_id=3&item_id=3[viii] CPMC Institute for Health and Healing. cpmc.org/services/ihh/professionals/overview.html[ix] Rand, William Lee. "Reiki in Hospitals." Reiki Media Articles: The International Center for Reiki Training. reiki.org/reikinews/reiki_in_hospitals.html[x] American Cancer Society. "Reiki" and "Massage." cancer.org/docroot/eto/content/eto_5_3x_massage.asp?sitearea=eto