阿茲海默症的患者對於醫護人員來說是困難照顧的一群，他們的退化速度非常快，常因四肢肌力降低造成跌倒骨折，且伴隨失智的症狀，讓同住的家屬常處於高張力的無力感。

美國臨床研究表明，恰當的運用靈氣，的確可以改善老年癡呆症患者的認知功能障礙。而且，對於醫護人員與家屬來說，靈氣更是修復自我情緒及體力的最好選擇，學習成本極低且終身受用。

國外安養中心及老年照護體系更將靈氣列為保健工具，經過靈氣治療的患者，情緒更加平穩，憂鬱傾向明顯降低，心性更加開朗，更多患者因年紀大所導致慢性疼痛也因此趨緩許多，期待在未來的日子裡，靈氣在台灣也能像這樣，以實用保健的方向去推展，造福更多需要的人。

Reiki for Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers

給阿茲海默症患者及照護者的靈氣(2014.7.22)取自   dodgepark

The many complicated aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia make caring for patients and their caregivers a challenge. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s currently has no known cure. This makes it a disease that ruins lives both physically and emotionally, as caregivers watch their loved ones slowly succumb to Alzheimer’s devastating effects. However, there is hope in alleviating some of the issues through a Japanese practice known as Reiki. The practice has shown effective in clinical studies as a treatment for both patients and their caregivers alike.

阿茲海默症和其他形式的痴呆症有許多複雜的面向，對照顧這些病人的照護者是一種挑戰。不幸的是，阿茲海默症目前沒有解藥。當照護者看著自己的摯愛慢慢地殞落於老年癡呆症的破壞性影響，使得這種疾病會摧毀生命中身體和心裡的層面。然而，透過被稱為靈氣的日本療法可看到減輕一些問題的希望。臨床研究顯示靈氣的實施對患者和他們的照顧者一樣的有效。

Reiki is both a spiritual and alternative medicine practice originally developed by a Japanese Buddhist monk in the 1920s. It is based on the belief that the power of physical touch, by way of the palms of the hands and tips of the fingers, can be used to channel the body’s natural energy in a way that promotes general healing and overall good health.

靈氣最早是在1920年代被一位日本佛教徒所發現，他同時是一種靈性的替代療法。它是基於一種信念，通過指尖和手掌接觸身體的力量，可引導身體的自然能量以促進癒合和整體的健康。

Reiki for Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers

給阿茲海默症患者及照護者靈氣

There are two forms of Reiki in use today: traditional Japanese Reiki and Westernized Reiki. The traditional form relies on the practitioner’s intuition and experience to determine where best to apply touch. The Westernized treatment uses a more systematic roach, relying on specific touch points for specific purposes. It stands to reason that Westernized Reiki is the form most commonly practiced in the United States.

目前正在使用的靈氣有兩種形式：日本傳統的靈氣和西式的靈氣。傳統形式的靈氣依賴於醫生的直覺和經驗來確定最佳的觸摸點。西式的靈氣較為系統化，是用特定目的來決定特定的觸摸點。所以說西式的靈氣在美國較為常見。

One of the most promising areas of treatment for Alzheimer’s patients is that of improving mild cognitive impairment. According to Psychcentral, numerous peer-reviewed clinical studies have shown that the proper application of Reiki can indeed improve cognitive impairment among dementia patients.

其中一種治療阿茲海默氏症患者的最有希望的領域之一是，改善輕度認知功能損害。根據Psychcentral，許多同行評審的臨床研究表明，恰當的運用靈氣，的確可以改善老年癡呆症患者的認知功能障礙。

Reiki for Alzheimer’s Patients

給阿茲海默症患者靈氣

In one study referenced by Psychcentral, two groups of patients were studied side-by-side: one that received regular Reiki treatments and another that did not. At the conclusion of the study, the group receiving the treatments showed measurable improvement in cognitive functioning, memory and general behavior.The most exciting thing about Reiki is that caregivers can learn to administer it themselves. For just the cost of the lessons, which might be covered with private health insurance, caregivers can learn a skill that will provide a real benefit to their loved ones. It is a very cost-effective way to reduce the negative cognitive effects of dementia. Obviously, Reiki will not cure the disease or prevent its progression, but it does make dealing with it easier.

在Psychcentral引用的一項研究中，兩組患者一起進行了研究：其中一組有做靈氣治療，另一組沒有。在研究結束時，接受治療組顯示其認知功能、記憶力和一般行為能力有顯著改善而另一組沒有。最令人興奮的事情是護理人員可以學習靈氣來對自己施做。只需要一堂課的成本，也許個人健保有給付，護理者可以學一門技術來對他們的摯愛，提供一個真實的益處。這是一個成本效益非常高的方式來降低老年癡呆症的負面認知效果。顯然，靈氣不會治癒疾病或阻止其發展，但它確實它處理起來更容易。

Treatment for Caregivers

給看護者的療程

Reiki is also an exciting treatment for caregivers who struggle right along with their suffering loved ones. Why do caregivers need care? Studies have shown that caregivers suffer from very high stress levels as a result of caring for an Alzheimer’s patient while at the same time trying to maintain the daily routine. That stress can result in a variety of health problems, including elevated blood pressure, anxiety or nervousness, heart problems, and so on.

靈氣對於有親人在疾病中痛苦掙扎的護理人員來說是一個令人興奮的療程。照顧者為何需要照顧？有研究表明，護理人員在照顧阿茲海默患者承受非常高的壓力遭受，而同時要處理日常事務。該壓力可導致各種健康問題，包括血壓升高，焦慮或緊張，心臟問題等等。

Another problem caregivers have is one of neglecting their own health. Their busy schedules have often been burning the candle at both ends to the point of not taking care of themselves. Any health problems resulting from the increased stress are not dealt with, making matters much worse.

照顧者的另一個問題是常常忽視自己的健康。他們忙碌的行程表使他們蠟燭兩頭燒而疏於照顧自己。所有的健康問題都起因於沒有處理的壓力，使事情更加惡化。

Reiki is able to relieve much of the stress caregivers’ experience, thereby making it easier for them to care for loved ones and themselves simultaneously. Other family members can learn to administer Reiki so the caregiver does not have to pay for individual sessions.

靈氣可幫助釋放照顧者的壓力，讓他們可以更容易地同時照顧他們自己及親人。其他家庭成員可以學習靈氣所以照顧者不必為個人療程付費。

How It Works

如何運作

Reiki is practiced as a series of light touches and taps based on the visual appearance of the head, neck, and other portions of the body. The practitioner will blow on the skin, perhaps tap it lightly a number of times, or apply a certain amount of pressure with the palms of his hands.

靈氣的施做是用一系列輕柔的觸摸，在頭、頸部和身體其他部分上。醫生會在皮膚上吹氣，也許輕輕的碰好幾下，或用他的手掌施予一定的壓力。

The practice is believed to help channel the natural energy in the human body in a specific direction, as determined by the practitioner. Reiki is also practices at a distance making this form of alternative healing ideal for anyone living with Alzheimer’s or dementias. The person receiving Reiki feels calmer and more relaxed but does not have to leave the comfort of their environment to receive the benefits.

該做法被認為幫助引導在人體中的自然能量在一個特定的方向，由執行師決定。靈氣也能在遠距離做，對患有阿茲海默症或癡呆症的人是一個理想的替代治療。接收靈氣的人感到平靜，更放鬆，但不需要離開自己舒適的環境來得到這些益處。

Other than that, no one really knows why Reiki works as an Alzheimer’s patient and caregiver treatment. However, we do not really need to know for patients and their families to benefit. As long as clinical studies show Reiki can be beneficial to patient outcomes, it is a treatment that should be included in the full compendium offered by doctors.

除此之外，沒有人真正知道為何靈氣可以幫助阿爾茨海默氏症患者和醫護人員。但是，我們並不需要知道使患者及家屬受益的真正原因。只要臨床研究表明靈氣對於患者的治療效果是有益的，就是一個可以被醫師開立療程使用的項目之一。

PS:Blog裡的文章翻譯內容及影片字幕為本人所有，如需引用請註明出處。(20160606 post on Blog)