How Could Reiki Help with Arthritis?

Arthritis is labeled with pain. Two primary types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis stems from the “wear and tear” of joints, old age, joint injuries, and even obesity. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints. 

Unfortunately, it has no permanent treatment, so arthritis medications like pain-relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs don’t offer any lasting solutions. Moreover, they may come with the side effects like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, etc. Nonetheless, there are times when applying the medication is unavoidable. These days, besides traditional Western medical treatments, more and more people choose complementary medicine to help them cope with pain.

Among the complementary health approaches used to deal with arthritis, Reiki has received a lot of attention. The practice of Reiki in major healthcare systems around the United States is a testimony to Reiki’s effectiveness as a complementary medical solution. (Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and UW Medicine in Seattle are a few examples of the healthcare organizations in which Reiki is being practiced.)

Before, Going through how Reiki could help with arthritis, let’s see what exactly Reiki is. 

What Is Reiki? 

Reiki is a complementary therapy in which the practitioner places her hands on or just above your body in sequences of positions. The belief in this therapy is that the energy life energy runs through each person, and any disruption in energy flow causes physical or emotional pain. So in a Reiki session, the practitioner tries to guide the energy throughout the body to encourage self-healing. 

If you want to know more in detail about Reiki and what to expect during a Reiki session, read this article. 

How Reiki Could Benefit People with Arthritis? 

The ways in which Reiki could help people to cope with arthritis include: 

Reiki Could Reduce Arthritis Pain

Chronic pain is the main symptom of arthritis. According to a recent study, arthritis might be the leading cause of chronic pain in the United States. People with chronic pain may face many difficulties keeping their job or participating in hands-on recreational activities. 

Undergoing regular Reiki sessions have been shown to reduce the perception of pain, which may improve life quality for individuals who have arthritis. With less pain, the use of prescription opioids and other pain medications may decrease as well. 

Reiki Could Reduce Psychological Distress 

Dealing with severe pain and stiffness on a daily basis is a challenge for everyone and can cause depression eventually. Reiki can reduce the stress and anxiety pressure of managing long-term pain in people with arthritis.  

Reiki Could Improve Range of Motion 

In a study conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona, the effect of Reiki on range of motion in people with limited shoulder mobility was evaluated. This study showed that Reiki is even more effective than physical therapy in improving range of motion in the subjects. While range of motion increased by 20 degrees for subjects treated with Reiki, it improved only by 12 degrees for subjects who underwent physical therapy.  

Looking for a Qualified Reiki Practitioner in Orange County?

Yrma Wilson is a licensed Reiki Practitioner with more than 31 years of experience and has helped hundreds of arthritis patients deal with arthritis physical and emotional burdens.   

If you have arthritis and would like to first discuss your condition with her, a free consultation session is available for you.