International Study- Reiki for Fibromyalgia 2008

>-         Decreases in Severity- Depression,
Tami Brady (2009)Pain, Fibrofog, and Fatigue (from almost causing
In the fall of 2008, a three month longdisability to just irritating)
international study was conducted. The purpose ofReiki Box Sessions
this investigation was to determine the viability of-         Medications- Reduction to 2
Reiki for Fibromyalgia as an appropriate treatment-         Overall Reduction of Symptoms
for Fibromyalgia symptoms. Two different(24%)
methodologies for sessions were explored: the-         Elimination of Weight Gain
commonly used distant healing technique and the-         Huge Decreases in Depression
lesser known Reiki box method.(42%), Irritable Bowel (39%)
Thirty participants from six countries volunteered-         Flare Ups- Decrease from 5+ to
for the study. This group of individuals provided a2-4 Symptoms (53%)
good cross-section of Fibromyalgia suffers ranging-         Increase from 0 to 1-2 Pain Free
from those recently diagnosed with the conditionDays (52%)
and those who had suffered for much longer-         Decrease in Severity- Fibrofog,
periods of time. Symptom intensity ranged from(from almost causing disability to just irritating)
minimal to debilitating with some individuals able toWeek 2:
cope without medication and some on a wideDistant Healing Sessions-Consistent Results
variety of prescriptions and/or herbal-         Elimination of Depression and
supplements.Fibrofog
Before the study began, each participant was-         Huge Decreases in Irritable Bowel
asked to answer a detailed survey about the(80%)
type, frequency, intensity, and duration of their-         Flare Ups- Decrease from 5+ and
Fibromyalgia related symptoms as well as their2-4 (20%) to 1
current medication and herbal supplement usage.Reiki Box Sessions- Consistent Results
Expected issues included pain in the extremities;-         Elimination of Depression
back and shoulder pain; mobility issues; muscle-         Huge Decreases in Swelling of the
fatigue; joint swelling; headaches; fatigue, fibrofog;Joints (65%) and Pain in the Extremities (46%)
unrecuperative sleep; depression; weight gain; and-         Symptom Free- Increase from 0
irritable bowel. These survey results wereto 1-2 Pain Free Days (52%)
updated on a weekly basis to determine normal-         Decrease in Severity- Depression
symptom fluctuations and any potential changesand Fibrofog (from causing disability to almost
associated with treatment. unnoticeable   Overall Findings
Treatment took place once each week. Group AReiki for Fibromyalgia- Distant Healing Method
received no treatment. Group B received oneTest results of the Reiki for Fibromyalgia therapy
hour Reiki for Fibromyalgia sessions using theshowed overall 67% improvement of Fibromyalgia
distant healing method. Group C received therelated symptoms; complete eliminations of
same Reiki for Fibromyalgia session but via theMobility Issues, Swelling Joints, Weight Gain,
Reiki box method over the course of a twentyDepression, Fibrofog, and Unrecuperative Sleep as
four hour period. Participants were unaware ofprominent symptoms; marked reduction in
which group they were placed and thereforeintensity for Pain, Fatigue, Fibrofog, and
which treatment, if any, they were receiving.  Depression; overall declines of medication usage
Beginning Statisticsfrom an average 3 to 1; and reductions in the
30 participants from 6 countries -3 continentsnumber of flare ups from 5+ to 2-4 (80%) and 1
29 Female, 1 Male(20%).
Average 4 years Diagnosed, Longest 17 years,Reiki for Fibromyalgia- Reiki Box Method
Mean 3 yearsTest results of the Reiki box for Fibromyalgia
Average Medications- 5, Most 37, Mean 5therapy showed overall 33% improvement in
Average Number of Symptoms 9symptoms; complete elimination of Weight Gain,
Most Common SymptomsDepression, and Fibrofog as prominent symptoms;
1. Fatigue 28- 93%marked reduction in intensity for Fatigue, Fibrofog,
2. Back/Shoulder Pain 27- 90%and Depression; overall declines of medication
3. Muscle Fatigue 27- 90%usage from an average 8 to 3; reductions in the
4. Unrecuperative Sleep 26- 87%number of flare ups from 5+ to 2-4 (71%) and 1
5. Fibrofog 23- 77%(14%); and increases in 1-2 (52%) and 3-5
Flare Ups per Month(29%)symptom-free days.
50% have 2-4Recommendations
37% have 5 or moreThe results from this three month long
13% have oneinternational study suggest that both Reiki for
Average Intensity of SymptomsFibromyalgia methodologies have potential as
Pain- 7treatments of Fibromyalgia. In each case, marked
Fatigue- 7improvements can be seen even in the first few
Fibrofog-5sessions. Moreover, over time, symptom relief
Depression- 5stays consistent with less chaotic reoccurrences
Symptom-Free Days per Monthas compared to the group receiving no treatment.
80% have 5 or lessIt would seem, however, that the distant healing
20% have 5-10   Early Resultsmethod is more adept at relieving physical
Week 1:symptoms such as pain and fatigue while the Reiki
Distant Healing Sessionsbox is finer tuned to relief of mental and
-         Medications- Reduction to 3emotional concerns. Given these strengths, it is
-         Overall Reduction of Symptomshighly suggested that both methods be made
(67%)available as part of a whole health healing program
-         Elimination of Mobility Issues,perhaps in conjunction with transpersonal
Swelling of Joints, and Weight Gainresources such as meditations, guided imagery
-         Huge Decreases in Muscle Fatigueexercises, belief work, shadow work, etc. Such a
(81%), Depression (79%), Pain in Extremitiesprogram should be kept extremely flexible to
(72%),          Irritable Bowel (67%),meet the needs of the individual with the intention
Fatigue (63%), Fibrofog (59%), Unrecuperativeof encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, self
Sleep (59%), Headaches (45%)understanding, and self care.