Reiki energy healing is an alternative therapy in which a practitioner places their hands on or just above the body to restore energy flow and a sense of balance. It’s generally safe when used as complementary self-care, and some research suggests it may help with stress, mood, pain, and blood pressure.

What Is Reiki?

Reiki healing is a Japanese energy healing technique in which a trained practitioner helps guide energy through a person’s body to promote balance, relaxation, and well-being.

The word ‘reiki’ is made of two Japanese kanji characters. ‘Rei’ means ‘spiritual’ or ‘sacred’ while ‘ki’ translates to ‘energy.’

Its origins can be traced back to the teachings of Mikao Usui, who developed it as a system of spiritual healing in the early 1920s. It’s based on the principle of a life force or universal energy that flows through the universe and all living beings. 

According to Japanese philosophy, a disruption or imbalance in this flow of energy within the body leads to physical, mental, or emotional distress. The goal of Reiki is to remove byoki, or energetic blockages, and restore the flow of this natural energy in your body to improve health and well-being. 

How Does Reiki Healing Work?

Energy healing therapies like Reiki work on the energy in and around the body to bring it into better balance by clearing blockages, moving stagnant energy, and improving energy flow throughout the body, says Brooks Betts, a Reiki Master trained in Usui Reiki.

A typical Reiki session involves a qualified practitioner channeling universal energy by placing their hands lightly on or above specific areas on the recipient’s body. “The practitioner serves as a conduit for this energy, similar to how a straw channels liquid,” says Talyn Fiore, a Los Angeles-based Reiki Master and spiritual coach.

When a client seeks healing, their intention to receive this energy initiates their own healing process. The practitioner simply facilitates the flow of Reiki energy into them, helping them return to their natural state of balance, Fiore explains.

A Reiki healing session can last anywhere from 45-90 minutes, depending on the client’s needs and the practitioner’s techniques. Every practitioner brings their own style to a session based on their training and how they interpret energy.

What Can a Reiki Session Look Like?

Betts begins her sessions by reviewing the client’s goals and intentions and addressing any questions about what to expect. Next, “I get the client comfortable on a massage table,” says Betts. “They stay fully clothed. I provide blankets and bolsters for comfort. I always offer my clients the option for hands-on or hover above.”

She uses a pendulum to read their chakras, or energy centers, and identify specific areas where she might need to spend more time during the session. “As I get started with the healing, I guide the client through some gentle breathwork and a short guided meditation to scan their physical and energetic body and drop into the parasympathetic nervous system,” says Betts.

She works along their chakra system from crown to root. “When complete, I’ll cue the client to drop back into their body and follow some breathwork prompts,” Betts adds. Then, they sit down and review the client’s experience and discuss any questions the client may have, after which Betts offers guidance based on the input.

“I personally implement several complementary modalities such as breathwork, tapping, tuning forks, frequencies, inner child work, and belief work into my sessions,” says Fiore. 

What Are the Potential Benefits of Reiki Healing?

Incorporating Reiki into your self-care routine may have physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

1. It Promotes Relaxation

“When you receive energy healing, it brings all the systems into a state of peace,” says Johanna Berry, Holy Fire Reiki Master and registered nurse specializing in holistic healing.

Your mind is able to quieten. Your body shifts from the sympathetic nervous system, aka “fight-or-flight” response, to the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation, counterbalancing the effects of stress on your body, she explains.

A pilot study published in the Alternative and Complementary Therapies journal found that participants who received a 20-minute Reiki healing treatment experienced greater physical relaxation than those who listened to calming music or a meditation tape.

2. It May Boost Confidence

According to Berry, Reiki can help replace negative emotions such as doubt, mistrust, fear, self-loathing, worry, and shame with positive or “higher vibrational” feelings such as trust, self-acceptance, forgiveness, self-esteem, kindness, peace, joy, love, and clarity of purpose. All of which can help improve one’s self-confidence. 

3. It May Lower Blood Pressure

A controlled study published in the Acta Paulista de Enfermagem journal found that patients with hypertension who received a single 20-minute Reiki session experienced the greatest reduction in blood pressure compared with other groups.

The researchers concluded that “Reiki had a positive effect on reducing abnormal blood pressure, suggesting it to be a complementary technique for the control of hypertension.”

4. It May Enhance Intuition

“We are all much more than our bodies. Reiki enhances intuition by connecting an individual back to their highest self,” says Fiore.

“Reiki helps remind the soul of its bigness, allowing intuition to flow more freely. This allows us to see the big picture instead of getting caught up in our minds trying to solve everything,” she adds. 

5. It May Stimulate Creativity

Berry says Reiki fosters the emotional and mental flexibility to connect with your feelings and have the curiosity and initiative to try new things without fear blocking you

When you’re able to feel safe and relaxed, your creativity can expand as your body and mind aren’t so focused on survival, she adds. 

6. It May Improve Mood

A research study published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal notes that participants who received Reiki “showed a progressive improvement in overall mood,” particularly those with high anxiety and depression.

7. It May Help Patients Undergoing Surgery 

According to a 2017 study, patients undergoing knee replacement surgery who took Reiki healing sessions showed “significant reductions” in pain, blood pressure, breathing rate, and anxiety levels.

Berry says Reiki may also help with conditions such as insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, chronic inflammation, gout, arthritis, and asthma.

“Just like exercise, benefits increase with regular sessions. It’s a cumulative therapy. With that being said, some people do benefit greatly from a single session when dealing with a specific issue,” says Berry. “Go with your gut on how often you need it. You know yourself best,” she advises. 

Is It Safe?

“If you’re in good overall health, Reiki healing is safe as a complementary self-care practice,” says Dr. Brynna Connor, a board-certified family medicine physician. 

“Reiki is a non-invasive and gentle modality. It’s widely regarded as safe for most individuals, including pregnant women, children, and the elderly,” says Dr. Brandy Zachary, DC, IFMCP.  “However, it’s crucial to understand that Reiki should not be viewed as a replacement for conventional medical treatment, especially in cases of serious illness or medical emergencies.”

“There is limited data about Reiki,” agrees Dr. Sulagna Misra, MD, BCMAS. “Any ailment should always be discussed with a physician as Reiki is an adjunctive treatment.”

Who Shouldn’t Try Reiki?

Dr. Zachary says certain individuals should exercise caution or avoid Reiki altogether.

• Those with severe psychiatric disorders or a history of psychosis should avoid Reiki, as it may potentially exacerbate these conditions.
• Those with pacemakers or other implanted medical devices should approach Reiki with caution, as its effects on these devices are not well understood.
• Individuals with severe burns or open wounds should avoid direct Reiki treatment in those areas.

While Reiki can be a valuable complementary practice for self-care, Dr. Zachary recommends seeking conventional medical treatment in the following situations:

• When experiencing severe or persistent symptoms that may indicate a serious medical condition
• When dealing with a chronic illness or medical condition that requires ongoing medical management
• In cases of medical emergencies or acute injuries that require immediate medical attention
• When experiencing side effects or interactions with prescribed medications or treatments

The Importance of Good Communication

It’s important to communicate clearly with your Reiki practitioner about your goals, preferences, and expectations for the session before getting started. 

“Communication is crucial for trust, which is essential for any relationship between the healer and the client,” says Fiore. “A lot of the time, people unknowingly have energetic walls up, and it takes a bit for me to feel the Reiki flowing into them. Trust helps with this immensely.”

Also, note that a trained practitioner will never begin a session before getting your consent.

Common Misconceptions and Concerns About Reiki Healing

Because Reiki has a spiritual aspect, it’s sometimes misconstrued as a religion or even magic. However, Reiki healing is just a form of energy therapy. Just as massage isn’t a religion or magic but a therapy for healing, the same holds true for Reiki, says Berry. 

It’s also important to remember that “in a Reiki session, the practitioner is not transferring their own energy to the receiver. Rather, they are serving as a channel for the Reiki energy to flow through them to the recipient,” says Betts.

Some people are also concerned about the effectiveness of virtual or distance Reiki compared to a one-on-one Reiki healing session.

“I’ve personally received and provided virtual Reiki. It is just as effective,” says Berry. However, she adds, “I prefer the experience of an in-person session. It’s like the difference between remote versus in-person therapy. Having that designated safe space where you know you’ll be uninterrupted creates a deeper sense of peace.”