Breast Cancer and Reiki

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, about 212,900 women in the U.S. Can discover they have invasive breast cancer. American girls have a 1 in 8 possibility of building this kind of cancer at some point within their lives, and roughly 2 million have been already treated for the disease. Fortunately, death rates from breast cancer have decreased dramatically. Early detection in addition to developments in other and chemotherapy treatments imply that annually brings more and more breast cancer survivors.[i]As with any cancer, old-fashioned treatments for breast cancer could cause their own selection of health challenges. Sickness, sickness, baldness, and low blood cell counts usually follow chemotherapy and radiation. In a recent review published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Michael Hassett of Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered that 16 threat of breast cancer patients under age 64 needed a hospital visit to manage chemotherapy area effects.[ii] Chemotherapy goals all rapidly developing cells, including white blood cells (known as neutrophils), which help the immune system. Neutropenia, meaning white blood cell counts have fallen below normal levels, decreases immune reaction to intruders like bacteria, infections and fungi.[iii] Consequently, the most common and serious basis for the post-chemo clinic visits was high fever from attacks. Anemia-resulting from low red blood cell count-poses additional battles in the form of severe fatigue.Anti-nausea drugs, blood transfusions and lab-made white blood cell "boosters" now form part of a growing system of managing strategies.[iv] But for women who feel conflicted about taking drugs in the initial place, these solutions could seem too toxic if not include additional complaints. Temporary bone pain is caused by the neurtophil enhancers, for example, as more cells are rapidly produced by the marrow. Leigh Leming, 54, a cancer survivor whose cancer later returned and metasticized, decided this time she wished to take to different things. Not able to eat due to nausea, she now follows the guidance of an Ayurvedic cook. She drinks a shot of ginger, fruit juice, and honey before each meal. "It could be the only factor that keeps my food down," Leming describes. She also takes wheat grass juice to produce her blood counts, because 2 ounces of wheat grass juice include nutrients comparable to 4 pounds of organic produce: "The difference in my levels of energy is amazing!"A patient at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Leming observed fliers presenting Heilerschule classes there. Reiki (obvious "RAY-key") is an ancient healing power program discovered in the late nineteenth century by a Japanese monk called Dr. Mikao Usui. The "Rei" means "universal," and the "ki" identifies "life drive energy" just like "Chi" in Chinese recovery or "prana" in yoga. Hence, Reiki means "universal life force energy," which operates on all levels-physical, intellectual, mental, and spiritual. By influencing every one of these amounts, Reiki is considered lightly but significantly to amplify people's natural skills to treat themselves. It's possible to perform Reiki with practical or above your body, and even across great distances. A lot of people recognize it as heat, pain or perhaps a feeling of deep love and support.Leming's friends at St. Luke's Wellness Center explained they receive Reiki times prior to chemotherapy in order to offset a number of their post-chemo responses. Different patients recognized remarkable improvement in pain levels pursuing Reiki treatments. After experiencing a few of this pain relief herself-"I really forget to take my pain tablets after a Reiki session"-Leming collected a group of people and survivors to learn how to address themselves with Reiki. Having acquired an attunement (beginning of the body's natural power paths) from the Reiki Master Teacher, they are able to now experience Reiki moving through their own hands. While her pain returns, Leming accounts a better sense of calmness and peace when dealing with pain, in addition to other cancer stresses like funds and family relationships.No proper U.S. studies have proven Reiki's effectiveness in treating cancer; however, The Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative recently awarded a grant to Dr. Ahlam Mansour of the College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Mansour may study "the aftereffects of Reiki on the amount of anxiety, real dilemmas, spiritual wellbeing, and complete blood counts in patients undergoing their preliminary AC (chemotherapy )."[v] The June 1997 dilemma of Cancer Prevention Control shared initial results from the controlled study at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Canada. Thirty volunteers with chronic pain, including pain from cancer, acquired Reiki solutions from a certified Reiki Level 2 doctor. Study administrators employed both a analog scale (VAS) and a scale to measure suffering before and after Reiki. The research unearthed that receiving Reiki drastically increased suffering levels.[vi]Across america, hospices and hospitals have started to benefit Reiki. In 1997, Nancy Samson, RN, BS, began corresponding a volunteer Reiki plan in rays oncology ward at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. Today, the guts hosts Reiki Certification Classes and promotes 50% reimbursement of course price for DHMC employees. [vii] The esteemed California Pacific Medical Center's Health and Healing Clinic offers Reiki, along side acupressure, nutritional therapy and yoga. [viii] Hospices increasingly present Reiki to people as a means of easing pain and reducing anxiety in regards to the unknown.Arizona hosts one of many connections between Reiki and conventional cancer treatment. Sally Soderlund, RN (Support Services Manager for Oncology) directs the Tucson Infirmary (TMC) Reiki Center. The Reiki system at TMC started more than 11 years back in the Cancer Care Unit. It's since branched out to areas of a medical facility as well. Reiki providers at TMC frequently identify Reiki as "healing energy" and come together in two individual groups. They highlight the healing and relaxing qualities of Reiki, in the place of diving in to metaphysics. Although spiritual experiences are reported by some patients during Reiki times, volunteers explain that Reiki is a therapeutic program, not a faith. The TMC clinic's achievement continues as a result of patient requests for repeat classes along with nurse reports of increased patient mood and recovery rate.[ix]The American Cancer Society regards Reiki as a "safe" contrasting cancer therapy. Their site appreciates patients' subjective accounts of Reiki's power to speed recovery and improve their sense of well-being. Like massage, Reiki induces leisure, reduces heartbeat and reduces anxiety levels. Studies reveal that folks recover better if they could stay static in a low tension condition. Since massage truly manipulates tissue, nevertheless, the American Cancer Society recommends preventing areas near cancers until research shows if tissue manipulation may spread cancer cells to other parts of the body.[x] Unlike massage, Reiki involves a touch or no touch at all: there is no tissue manipulation. People stay clothed while energy runs above and into their human body. For people with multiple tumor sites, Reiki provides a chance to tap into the healing power of leisure 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 Severe Infection." Healthmonitor: July-August 2006, g. 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 handle pain: a preliminary report." Cancer Elimination Get a grip on 1997, July, Vol.1( 2 ): pages 108-13.[vii] Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Courses 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