Advertisment
The advertisers’ website provided the following information:
“Reiki has been proven to relax and strengthen your well-being; reduce pain, anxiety and fatigue; help manage symptoms; reduce side effects of medication; and support recovery after injuries or surgery.
Here are some of the areas Reiki can heal:
“…Helps boost the immune system…”
Complaint
The complainant said that he would like to see evidence that Reiki has been proven to “Help boost the immune system”. He said that he would also like to see evidence that “Reiki has been proven to relax and strengthen your well-being; reduce pain; anxiety and fatigue; help manage symptoms; reduce side effects of medications; and support recovery after injuries or surgery”. In particular the complainant said that he would like to see evidence that Reiki has been proven to reduce fatigue and pain.”
Response
The advertisers failed to respond to the complaint.
Conclusion
Complaint Upheld.
The Complaints Committee considered the details of the complaint and expressed their concern at the advertisers’ failure to respond in the matter. They reminded them that there is an onus on advertisers to ensure that their advertising is in conformity with the Code. In the absence of a response from the advertisers, the Committee considered that they had not substantiated the claims made in their advertising. The Complaints Committee considered the advertisement to be in breach of Section 2.7 and 8.1 of the Code.
Action Required:
The advertising should not be used in the same format again.
