| The magic touch of Reiki was once only available in a | | | | Currently the Center is sponsoring research concerning |
| few places, namely Hawaii and Japan. Although | | | | the effectiveness of Reiki in treating the symptoms of |
| telepathic Reiki or distance healing could be practiced | | | | fibromyalgia, a painful condition for which there is no |
| anywhere and could help people or animals in other | | | | known cure. The Center is also investigating how the |
| places, a visit with a Master required most people to | | | | magic touch of Reiki may affect the well-being and |
| make a long trip. | | | | quality of life in people with advanced AIDS. |
| Today, the magic touch of Reiki is available in cities | | | | In the area of prostate cancer, the Center is looking at |
| throughout the United States and in many other | | | | the effects of Reiki on the progression of the disease. |
| countries, including Japan, Canada, Great Britain, | | | | In addition, there has been some research concerning |
| Australia and parts of India and Africa. | | | | how Reiki affects anxiety in people who have |
| Just the vast spread of the healing therapy is indicative | | | | prostate cancer. |
| of its effectiveness. Clinics and practitioners would not | | | | In the area of diabetes, the Center is evaluating the |
| be in business for long if they were illusionists or | | | | possibility that Reiki can help control blood sugar levels, |
| charlatans. Researchers and scientists may not | | | | improve heart function and reduce the pain from nerve |
| understand "how" it works, but they have theories. | | | | damage. Since, the magic touch of Reiki cannot |
| Practitioners have differing viewpoints concerning the | | | | currently be studied in a laboratory setting, clinical |
| spiritual nature and origin of telepathic Reiki. Scientists | | | | studies are necessary. |
| are not currently delving into that area of the practice, | | | | Creating scientifically well-designed studies is difficult, |
| but, in the United States, national organizations are | | | | since a Reiki practitioner would know whether or not |
| sponsoring research into the "magic" touch of Reiki. | | | | he or she was "tapping into" the universal life force |
| The National Center for Complementary and | | | | energy. One aspect of scientific studies is the "blinding" |
| Alternative Medicine is a division of the US National | | | | of administrators and recipients, so that neither knows |
| Institutes of Health. The Center is dedicated to | | | | whether they are receiving an active compound or a |
| investigating alternative and complementary therapies | | | | placebo (inactive compound). In Reiki studies, "blinding" is |
| like telepathic Reiki and other forms of Reiki therapy. | | | | nearly impossible. |