Sometimes, their
body is out of bal-
ance, and restoring
that balance can
assist with the heal-
ing process.
Reiki, a Japanese
technique that
involves massage-
like touch therapy,
not only reduces
stress and induces
relaxation, it also can promote healing. "Rei" means "universal" and
"Ki" refers to a vital life-force energy. Reiki isn't hypnosis — the
patient isn't relinquishing control to the practitioner. It's not the off-
spring of a religion; it's not dogmatic; it's not about mind control; and
it's not placebo. If the patient is open to it, they're in control. It's a
self-regulating, very democratic form of healing.
You don't have to explain all the details to a patient who's still a lit-
tle groggy in PACU. I simply say, "If you're interested, there's a tech-
nique called Reiki that can help alleviate your symptoms. I'm going to
try to alleviate your pain, and I'm going to try to help with your nau-
sea."
Of course, Reiki, pre-op meditation and all alternative non-pharma-
ceutical therapies don't have to be used instead of narcotics for pain
control and traditional antiemetic medications for PONV. They can be
used in conjunction with them. In fact, it's generally not a good idea
to use these methods as complete substitutes. While I certainly don't
push pain-control medications on patients, I do inform those who are
resistant to taking them that the medications will help manage their
7 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 2 0
• MIND OVER MATTER Reiki, meditation and mindfulness can be used as alternatives
to standard antiemetic medications.