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Reiki in Cancer Care

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Last Modified: January 28, 2011

Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"

What is Reiki and how can it help with cancer treatment?

Kimberly Fleisher, RMT, M.S.Ed, Reiki Practitioner and Teacher at The Reiki School, responds:

Reiki is a practice that comes from Japan and is primarily facilitated through gentle touch. There is nothing to ingest, no needles, and no physical manipulation, just light touch. The practice is typically performed on a massage table with the patient reclining, although at Penn there is a program for cancer patients to receive shorter sessions while their receiving their conventional cancer treatment. Reiki helps move a person more towards balance and wellness. Most cancer patients report that reiki helps reduce pain, manage stress and anxiety, alleviate the side effects of conventional treatment, and empower a sense of freedom, relaxation, calm and peace

This question and answer was part of the OncoLink Brown Bag Chat Series. See the entire transcript of Integrating Complementary Therapies into Your Cancer Care.