Volunteer News
Reiki Volunteering During Pandemic
Healthcare providers have been stressed and stretched thin during the Covid-19 pandemic. Edward-Elmhurst Health began to seek ways to provide support and comfort to staff. In January 2021, I volunteered to offer Reiki sessions as part of the Employee Support Program. At Elmhurst Hospital each inpatient unit has a designated room for staff which provides quiet space, subdued lighting, comfortable seating, water, snacks, and aromatherapy. I provided soft music and we had a perfect venue for Reiki. Staff would come for 10–12-minute sessions in the middle of their busy shifts. After these few short minutes, staff described relaxation, feelings of peace and calm, seeing colors, warmth, tingling, and quieting the mind. Some dozed off. I visited med-surg units, intensive care, emergency department, family birthing center and the outpatient infusion center. In May 2021, Reiki volunteers offered sessions during Nurse’s Week giving a few moments of rest and relaxation to busy healthcare staff in the middle of their hectic days. Many who sat and relaxed in our chairs were new to Reiki and all sessions were very well received. It was very gratifying to be “back to work” for us Reiki volunteers. A total of 182 volunteer Reiki sessions were offered to healthcare providers between January and May.
Hospital Based Reiki Volunteer Program
“Reiki feels like a special ‘love you’ touch.” “It is nice to let everything go and be peaceful.” “I feel so comforted.” The Reiki volunteers at Elmhurst Hospital (Elmhurst IL) frequently receive this kind of feedback from people who have experienced Reiki sessions.
The Reiki Volunteer Program (RVP) was started in 2012 with the support of hospital administration. Since then, Reiki practitioners have offered over 1500 sessions to patients, family members, and staff in the outpatient cancer infusion center and the inpatient oncology unit. These short 10–15-minute Reiki sessions offer recipients the opportunity to relax and release feelings of discomfort and stress.
NOTE: In March 2020, the Reiki Volunteer Program at Elmhurst Hospital was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope that the RVP will be reinstated for patients and families sometime in the future. Reiki volunteers have been able to offer sessions to healthcare providers as a means to relieve stress during the pandemic.
The Reiki volunteers ask recipients to rate their pain or discomfort and anxiety on a scale from 0-10 before and after each session. Many report that their pain and anxiety is three or four points lower on the scale after having a Reiki session. (See chart) While Reiki may not completely remove all feelings of distress, the reduction in these symptoms provides much needed relief to patients, family members, and staff.
Reiki supports the healing process in body, mind, emotion, and spirit. The volunteers feel privileged to have this opportunity to make such a difference in people’s lives. Many more people in the community now have some knowledge and experience with Reiki thanks to these dedicated volunteers.
Reiki’s Impact on Pain and Anxiety with Patients, Family & Staff at Cancer Infusion Center
Healthcare News
Reiki at Integrative Medicine Clinic
The Integrative Medicine Clinic opened at Elmhurst Hospital in 2016. Reiki is one of the services offered in addition to acupuncture, functional medicine, nutritional counseling, and massage. Reiki is increasingly being recognized for its value in healthcare. It is possible to introduce Reiki into healthcare settings using a professional approach, good communication skills as well as persistence. These are some of the key elements for success.
Reiki in Healthcare: Helping Professional Staff
Reiki sessions can greatly benefit staff working in healthcare settings. Reiki Master and licensed clinical social worker Carrol Stovold took the initiative to offer complimentary Reiki sessions to colleagues in a community hospital. With support from administration, Carrol offered 85 Reiki sessions to co-workers over a period of eight months. Nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains, and patient care technicians received these sessions in the midst of their busy days. She created a peaceful space in the ICU/CCU staff lounge with her massage table, soothing music, and aromatherapy. Staff rated their pain and feelings of anxiety on a scale of 0-10 before and after their Reiki sessions. Carrol also asked for verbal comments.
Carrol was not surprised by the outcomes of her Reiki sessions (see chart). “The feedback from the staff was overwhelmingly positive. Receiving 15 minutes of Reiki had a meaningful impact on the physical and emotional well-being of our professional staff. That small break in the middle of the day was energizing and allowed them to return to their work with a smile and a good attitude.”
More healthcare organizations are opening their doors to Reiki and other healing modalities. Offering a session to employees gives them the opportunity to both learn about and experience the benefits of Reiki. Awareness and knowledge of Reiki within the general community is growing. Carrol’s work demonstrates how easily this can be accomplished within a healthcare setting.
Reiki’s Impact on the Pain and Anxiety of Healthcare Professionals in a Community Hospital
Before the Reiki session, staff reported:
- Feeling tightly wound, anxious & tense
- Mind racing
- Abdominal discomfort
- Very tired, exhausted
- Stressed, a lot of things to do
- Back pain and pain in my hands
After a 15 minute Reiki session, staff reported:
- Feeling more relaxed with clearer thoughts
- Experiencing a sense of calm, peace of mind
- “A giant weight has been removed from my shoulders”
- Re-energized, ready to take on the challenges ahead
- Feeling more at ease and free of stress
Submitted by Carrol Stovold, MSW, LCSW, RMT
TRSP “Program Stats” 2009–2020
- 101 Level I Reiki classes have been offered in community settings
- 870 students have completed our Level I Reiki class
- 162 nurses have completed “Reiki I for Healthcare Professionals” to receive continuing education hours
- 50 “Reiki for You” Level I classes have been offered at cancer support centers in the Chicago suburbs
- 1549 “Reiki sessions: Reiki Volunteer Program at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital (2012-2019)
The Joy of Reiki Sharing
The Reiki Share Project is dedicated to empowering individuals to participate in their own healing process. Hosting Reiki Shares at Wellness House is one way we accomplish this mission.
NOTE: In March 2020, all in-person programming at Wellness House (WH) was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. WH quickly pivoted to virtual programming and our TRSP Reiki Shares did the same. We host monthly Zoom Reiki Shares which include a meditation, a guided self-care practice and a group distant Reiki healing session. The Shares are well attended and from April 2020 to July 2021, 68 WH participants attended this program for a total of 294 visits. Our virtual Shares will continue for now until we can all meet again at Wellness House.
This Reiki Share is open to Wellness House participants who have taken or are interested in taking Reiki class with TRSP or with other teachers. Before the pandemic, we would set up 4-5 tables and usually have 3-5 people at each table. Attendees both give and receive 20-minute Reiki sessions. It is such a pleasure to watch newer practitioners gain skill and confidence in offering Reiki to others. By evening’s end, the energies of joy and healing are almost palpable in the room. Our Shares are well attended, and a core group of practitioners now come on a regular basis. We are grateful to partner with Wellness House in growing this caring and compassionate Reiki community.
September 2021