Hi Menna,

thank you for the information and thank you for not putting any links in this forum. I am sure there will be some people very interested to find out more.

Peggy

Hi Cluckie

I don't think Menna meant any harm by putting this here. Reiki is a complementary therapy, mainly meant to relax people. She didn't promise to cure anybody nor did she say people should leave the treatment they are receiving and switch to reiki. Here it is used quite a lot, even in hospitals if patients so wish. As you know I am a terminal patient myself. I'm not offended by this post or think it dangerous. Like most of us I have put my faith in traditional medicine, but I know several people who have found benefit in reiki mainly by feeling better in themselves and having more energy. In a way it could be compared with yoga.

My thoughts are with you and MO

Peggy

hi peggy

i have an open mind regards treatment and have nothing against alternative therapies i just don't think she should be using this site to push her wares still dosn't answer my question why it is not advertised in most hospitals

cluckie

Hi everyone,

Thanks for posting on Cancer Chat.

Our information nurses would like to let you know that:

"Some people find it helpful to use complementary therapies alongside conventional cancer treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Complementary therapies do not claim to cure cancer. They generally aim to help to ease stress and improve emotional well-being.

However, it is always sensible to discuss using any complementary therapies with your cancer specialist first. This is just to make sure that they do not affect the cancer treatment you are currently having.

For your interest, you may like to visit our patient information website, CancerHelp UK to look at the general information on complementary therapies.

www.cancerhelp.org.uk/.../default.asp And you can read about Reiki at the following link. http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=38221 "

Best wishes,

Kate

Cancer Chat Moderator

For information about cancer:

-Visit our patient information website, www.cancerhelp.org.uk, for clear, comprehensive information about cancer

-Call our specialist cancer information nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040 to ask any question about any aspect of cancer

hi Moderator M and other moderators

the decision to reinstate this post concerns me when you removed it from the other thread

sitting on the fence or what

anyway i have more pressing chores to fulfil than to try and understand you reasoning

cluckie

Hi Cluckie,

please don't get upset about this post being put back. I've tried seeing where Menna is pushing her wares but fail to see it. She has put no links, videos or even fotos down. Just gave the information for who it might interest. A lot of people do look for alternative or complementary treatments, they should get a chance to do so, Regardless of how we feel about it or if we would or wouldn't consider it. If she had put something like change your current treatment because only reiki will heal you, then I would have been up on the barricades with you! We had a post like that a while ago, just ask Judith about it. That WAS frightening.

Peggy

hi peggy

we are all entitled to our opinions as are you but i see it as the thin edge of the wedge didn't have the decency to answer my post asking why so few hospitals advertise it (her statement )

cluckie

Hi cluckie

For various reasons im not on line everyday which is why i have not responded till now.

The particular hospital I work in, (which I cannott mention due to the terms and conditions), apparently has specific guidelines in the complementary services on offer. It says that no literature is allowed to be advertised, given out or distributed concerning particular services,( not just therapies). This a legal requirement in this particular hospital as far as i know as it firstly it stops practitioners in the case of therapies from " touting their wares" and to be honest I was told the other reason but cant remember but I will ask my manager when im in next week and let you know..... Something complex and legal anyway...

We are however allowed to approach patients and ask them if they would like a treatment and if THEY ask for literature of further treatments privately after the session then we can oblige. When I first started in May 2008 there were only 2 Reiki and 1 Spiritual healer volunteers along with massage and reflexology on offer and most of the day was spent asking patients if they would like to try. Now however over the last few months we have been inundated with requests some of which have come specifically from doctors and nurses who have seen, (first and foremost), the stress relief and calm that patients have been experiencing which has led to more practitioners being recruited.

I know to some people having these services in a hospital environment must seem very weird...believe me it was very strange for me to be in that environment alongside medically traditional doctors and nurses but the feedback from patients and staff who care for them has made this service very popular. I have worked voluntarily in this hospital but do get paid for the work in a hospice by the hospice. I privately treat patients with various conditions too. Cancer or life threating conditions patients I do not charge for except travelling expenses, and those who can't afford to pay anything i treat from home mostly but some patients do pay which is fine and i gratefully accept. Like I said this varies with different practitioners.

I do not claim that Reiki is a cure but in my experience people have fought this disease using Reiki as a tool as well as the other wonderful therapies available. Other benefits i cannott mention here firstly due to terms and conditions and secondly although SOME aspects have been scientifically proven others just can't be at the moment due to it being such different experience for each individual. I am actually compiling case studies to help with the research going into Reki as I am lucky enough to be in a position where I can liaise with medically trained professionals.

All i can say to ANYONE reading this is give it a try, make enquires and do some research on alternative/complementary health and decide for yourselves if it something to try. Yes of course there are charlatans out there just as you get in most industries and I totally understand your concerns but like I said the relevant societies and trusting your instincts should make the experience a good one. Also ask your hospital where you or your loved one is being treated as there are some full time paid therapists in some wards and also contact voluntary services as you can be sure that in all these situatiions these people have been checked out thoroughly and have all the relevant certification, membership and insurance. Where I work we also treat the family members so ask for this too if you feel the need to try it out first.

Lastly, I truly did not mean to offend you or anyone, it just my passion for this treatment makes me want to tell the world! I become very close with some of my patients and although im not related I can understand how upsetting it can be dealing with such illnesses and i tried to be as sensitive in this knowledge while writing my initial post. Thanks to everyone who responded and I hope this clears up any misunderstandings.

Best wishes

Hi Menna,

I know its been long since your last post but yet it would be interesting if you share your experience dealing with cancer with Reiki as I am also working in same field with mix  and surprising results and trying to learn more about how Reiki can be used more accurately to help cancer patient get relief.