The effects of reiki and genotype on pain after cesearean section

Alleviating pain early after childbirth is important as studies have shown that post-operative pain negatively affects a mother s ability to care for and breastfeed her infant. To alleviate post-operative pain opioids are commonly used; however, we now know that morphine (and other opioid metabolites) pass into breast milk. To ensure that all mothers who are recovering from childbirth and wish to breastfeed are able to do so safely, alternatives to opioids are sought. Reiki is a complementary therapy which uses a technique commonly called hands on healing whereby practitioners transfer universal energy through their palms to heal a patient. Reiki practitioners believe they can use their intentions to channel healing energy to their patient regardless of their patients' location. This book examines the effect of distant Reiki on pain levels and analgesia consumption in women who undergo non-emergency cesarean section for childbirth. In a related study, the pain levels and codeine consumption of the same women are examined against their CYP2D6 genotype the enzyme responsible for conversion of codeine into morphine for pain relief.