Can Reiki help you if you have IBS?

Reiki is a form of healing therapy originating in Japan and Tibet that is available in some of our clinics.  Over the years practicing massage in clinic, I am aware that there is a regular occurance of clients with digestive issues especially irritable bowel syndrom (IBS).

A recent study has looked at the effectiveness of Healing Therapy (Reiki) on assisting people with IBS and inflamatory bowel disease (IBD).  For the purpose of this article I want to focus on IBS as that is what people mention most frequently in clinic.

200 outpatients with IBS or IBD were randomised to either conventional treatment (control) or conventional plus a weekly 30 minute sessions of healing therapy for 5 consecutive weeks (intervention).   After 12 weeks the patients in the control group also had healing therapy. Participants were mainly female (71%) had a median age of 46, non-smokers who had been diagnosed on average 5 years previously.  The participants recorded their symptoms and quality of life at the start of the trail, then after 6 weeks, then at 12 weeks and finally at 24 weeks.

The results demonstrated hat “when used along side standard medical care” healing therapy (Reiki) confers additional benefits including symptom reduction and improve quality of life.  The improvements were signficant, consisten and of a size liekly to be “clinically benefical”.

So if IBS is effeciting your quality of life, why not book a Reiki taster?

Reference

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2016.11.017

Related Posts

  • More tips on how to prevent Delayed Onsite Muscle Soreness

    Previously I have explained what DOMS is, and why it plagues some people and not others and given you some ideas on how to prevent it.  Given DOMS can be so debilitating and demotivating I wanted to give you more tips on how to prevent DOMS. 1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids Omega 3 fatty acids, like those found in fish and flax oil, are a fantastic addition to your recovery arsenal. Your body can’t make them, so you have to eat them, they are found primarily in fish and wild game, and to a lesser degree in certain nuts and seeds.  They are powerfully anti-inflammatory and pro-recovery, and are protective to connective tissue, nerve tissue, and muscle tissue. 2. Protease Enzymes A study by Innerfield in 1957 showed that protease enzyme supplementation may have anti-inflammatory effects, and others have shown them to be specifically effective at reducing DOMS.  Protease enzymes include trypsin, bromelain, chymotrypsin and papain, and they help modulate the pro-inflammatory response by blocking pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and stimulating anti inflammatory processes.  If you go this route, make sure you get a formula that includes that piperine. This is an ingredient extracted from pepper that increases enzyme absorption by up to 60%.  You need this boost because enzymes don’t absorb that well in the gut. 3. Compression Tights Research found that marathoners who wore compression gear in the 24 hours after a race reported less soreness. The technical fabric supports muscle groups, reducing movement, which can result in less soft tissue damage. Compression can also boost circulation. However, to ensure the right level of compression, you’ll have to work out the size you need using your height and weight. 4. Foam Roller Most people are familiar with foam rollers and know that using it on sore muscles can alleivate the pain.  Remember using a foam roller may be painful and shouldn't be unbearable.  Personally I prefer receiving massage to foam rolling my own sore muscles.   Both sports and deep tissue massage can help alleviate DOMS too. References

    1. Innerfield I. The anti-inflammatory effect of parenterally administered proteases. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1957 Aug 30;68(1):167-76; discussion 176-7.
    2. Miller et. Al. The effects of protease supplementation on skeletal muscle function and D.O.M.S. following downhill running. Journal of Sports Sciences 22, 365-372;2004.
    3. Taussig SJ The mechanism of the physiological action of bromelain Medical Hypotheses 1980; 6: 99-104
    4. Donaho C, Rylander C Proteolytic enzymes in athletic injuries: a double blind study of a new anti-inflammatory agent Delaware Medical Journal 1962; 34: 168-170.
    5. Cirelli MG Clinical experience with bromelains in proteolytic enzyme therapy of inflammation and edema Medical Times 1964; 92(9): 919-922.
    6. Taussig SJ, Batkin S Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple and its clinical application Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1988; 22: 191-203.
    7. Atal CK, Zutshi U, Rao PG. Scientific evidence on the role of Ayurvedic herbals on bioavailability of drugs. J Ethnopharmacol. 1981 Sep;4(2):229-32.
    8. Velpandian T, Jasuja R, Bhardwaj RK, Jaiswal J, Gupta SK. Piperine in food: interference in the pharmacokinetics of phenytoin. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2001 Oct-Dec;26(4):241-7.
    9. Miller et. Al. The effects of protease supplementation on skeletal muscle function and D.O.M.S. following downhill running. Journal of Sports Sciences 22, 365-372;2004.

  • The scientific evidence base for Sports & Deep Tissue Massage

    I would like to write a series of blog articles on the scientific evidence for massage.  I think it is important to start by stating the obvious that while massage can be studied, not many scientists are interested in studying it and not many massage therapists have scientific training.  This means that massage is woefully under researched.  In addition it is amazingly difficult to find 100 people with the same problem, who need exactly the same massage treatment, so large scale studies are very rare, which means a weakness of most studies is their size. Finally, while, most scientists are interested in how massage works, we don't have to know how something works to know if it works.  I know most of my clients are interested in scientific evidence but equally important is anecdotal evidence, their own opinion and experience of the treatment. What it crystal clear from scientific data and widely agreed upon by massage therapist researchers is that massage

    1. Reduces anxiety
    2. Reduces depression
    3. Reduces stress
    4. Reduces high BP
    Given that in the Labour Force Survey in 2013 - 2014 it stated the total number of cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety account for 39% of all work-related illnesses, this makes massage highly beneficial for anyone working in a high pressure corporate environment. Related Blog Posts http://vitalitytherapy.co.uk/blog/anxiety-reduction-massage http://vitalitytherapy.co.uk/blog/hypertension-part-4-massage References Moyer CA. Affective massage therapy.  Int J Ther Massage Bodywork 2008; 1(2): 3-5 Shulman KR, Jones GE. The effectiveness of massage therapy intervention on reducing anxiety in the work place. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. 1996;32:160–173. Cady SH, Jones GE. Massage therapy as a work place intervention for reduction of stress. Perceptual & Motor Skills. 1997;84:157–158. Hernandez-Reif M, Field T. High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy.Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies. 1999;4:31–38.

  • More tips to get a good nights sleep

    Here are more tips to get a good nights sleep:

    1. Read a book or a magazine - I appreicate this is very old school.  The reason is studies have shown that brain activity during sleep is better regulated after reading a physical book compared with reading a screen.
    2. Have a hot shower or bath at night.  When you get in all your blood comes to the surface of your body, so when you step out, your core temperature starts to drop.  This stimulates sleep.
    3. Go to bed at the same time every nights - it's possible to "programme" the body to get used to falling asleep at a certain time every night.
    4. Yoga or light exercise can help relax muscles and release any tension.
    5. Complementary therapies -  these promote relaxing, reduce stress and anxiety and are therefore ideal for a good night's sleep.
    6. Breathing exercises or medication - taking deep breaths helps the body switch off from the flight or fight more to rest-and-digest mode.
    References https://www.pnas.org/content/112/4/1232