Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Reiki?ProcessBenefitsWhat to ExpectResearch ConclusionsCostContraindications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Reiki?
Process
Benefits
What to Expect
Research Conclusions
Cost
Contraindications
Reikiis a spiritual healing art and a type of biofield energy therapy. During a session, a Reiki practitioner lightly places their hands on the person, or sometimes just above them, to direct energy and help the body heal itself.
Reiki is a complementary approach used alongsideconventional medical interventions, not as a treatment of its own. It does not treat or cure any health conditions, but may help withcancer care, chronicarthritispain, recovery aftergallbladdersurgery, and other situations.
This article will define Reiki and explain its practice. It discusses the limited scientific evidence for Reiki benefits while presenting conditions in which some find it may help.
gevende / Getty Images
Reiki is derived from the Japanese wordsrei, meaning universal, andkei, meaning life energy. It is a Japanese healing art and a complementary energy therapy based on the principle that everything in the universe consists of energy that flows around and through living beings.
Reiki also involves a philosophy of mind-body-spirit unity and connection to all things. The Reiki principles for living are:
Reiki Does Not Treat Medical ConditionsReiki is a complementary approach meant tosupport conventional medicine, not replace it. It does not treat or cure any medical or health-related condition. There is no high-quality research to support it, though it may reduce pain andanxiety, and support a sense of spiritual connection and well-being.Be wary of anyone offering Reiki alone as a treatment or making claims about it.
Reiki Does Not Treat Medical Conditions
Reiki is a complementary approach meant tosupport conventional medicine, not replace it. It does not treat or cure any medical or health-related condition. There is no high-quality research to support it, though it may reduce pain andanxiety, and support a sense of spiritual connection and well-being.Be wary of anyone offering Reiki alone as a treatment or making claims about it.
How Reiki Works
Reiki operates on the assumption that a universal life force sustains all living organisms and that an energetic and spiritual dimension exists in humans as part of the healing process.
Theplacebo effect(receiving a treatment that has no action in the body) may also result in these benefits. Well-designed studies aim to distinguish whether a treatment is more effective than a sham (placebo) treatment.
Are There Side Effects to Reiki?Reiki is not known to have harmful effects.Some people may experience an emotional release with a Reiki session, which may cause distress for the person.
Are There Side Effects to Reiki?
Reiki is not known to have harmful effects.Some people may experience an emotional release with a Reiki session, which may cause distress for the person.
Benefits of Reiki
While not proven concretely, Reiki may help with:
What to Expect in a Reiki Session
A typical Usui Reiki session lasts about 45 to 90 minutes. There is no established optimal number of Reiki sessions. Typically, three sessions are recommended to start, but this number can vary depending on many factors.
During the session, the person receiving Reiki usually lies down. Then, the practitioner gently places their hands on (with the person’s consent) or just above the clothed person, in at least 12 total positions on the head and the seven main energy centers (chakras).
Seated sessions may also be offered, usually lasting 15 to 20 minutes.Reiki can also be practiced on oneself.
How does a Reiki session feel?
Other sensations people may feel include:
What Research Says About Reiki
While studies exist that support some benefits of Reiki, research is typically of low quality (small sample sizes, flawed methodology, etc.) and usually relies on the subjective accounts of participants. There is no clear evidence that Reiki is effective for any health-related purpose.
Research on Reiki has included the following:
Cost of Reiki Session
Low-cost or no-cost options are sometimes available through volunteer programs. Keep in mind that Reiki is not regulated, and there are no laws that dictate specific qualifications practitioners need to have to practice.
Ask questions about your practitioner’s training and qualifications. They should have at least level 2 training, and most reputable practitioners also belong to a professional Reiki association.A Reiki master completes all three levels of Reiki training.
Does insurance cover Reiki?
Palliative Care
Who Should Avoid Reiki
While there are no specific restrictions on who should receive Reiki, Reiki should not be used as a stand-alone treatment for any health condition or as an alternative to conventional medical care.
Summary
Anecdotally, many people who receive Reiki report that it helps them feel calm,relaxed, and connected. But Reiki should never be used as an alternative to conventional medical care or as a treatment on its own.
While Reiki won’t treat or cure your medical condition, it is a low-risk practice thatmay help you relax while undergoing conventional treatment. Look for a practitioner who has at least level 2 training, preferably registered with a reputable professional Reiki association.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Reiki.McManus DE.Reiki is better than placebo and has broad potential as a complementary health therapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1051-1057. doi:10.1177/2156587217728644Doğan MD.The effect of Reiki on pain: a meta-analysis.Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2018;31:384-387. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.020.Lindquist R, Snyder M, Tracy MF, eds.Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Nursing.Seventh edition. Springer Publishing Company;2014.Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ.Integrative reiki for cancer patients: a program evaluation.Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-67. doi:10.1177/1534735413503547Orsak G, Stevens AM, Brufsky A, Kajumba M, Dougall AL.The effects of reiki therapy and companionship on quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015;20(1):20-27. doi:10.1177/2156587214556313Özcan Yüce U, Taşcı S.Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2021;58:102708. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102708Joyce J, Herbison GP.Reiki for depression and anxiety.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(4):CD006833. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006833.pub2International Association of Reiki Professionals.What is Reiki?Billot M, Daycard M, Rigoard P.Self-reiki, consideration of a potential option for managing chronic pain during pandemic covid-19 period.Medicina. 2021;57(9):867. doi:10.3390/medicina57090867University of Minnesota.How can I find a qualified Reiki practitioner?Cancer Research UK.Reiki and cancer.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Reiki.McManus DE.Reiki is better than placebo and has broad potential as a complementary health therapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1051-1057. doi:10.1177/2156587217728644Doğan MD.The effect of Reiki on pain: a meta-analysis.Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2018;31:384-387. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.020.Lindquist R, Snyder M, Tracy MF, eds.Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Nursing.Seventh edition. Springer Publishing Company;2014.Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ.Integrative reiki for cancer patients: a program evaluation.Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-67. doi:10.1177/1534735413503547Orsak G, Stevens AM, Brufsky A, Kajumba M, Dougall AL.The effects of reiki therapy and companionship on quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015;20(1):20-27. doi:10.1177/2156587214556313Özcan Yüce U, Taşcı S.Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2021;58:102708. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102708Joyce J, Herbison GP.Reiki for depression and anxiety.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(4):CD006833. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006833.pub2International Association of Reiki Professionals.What is Reiki?Billot M, Daycard M, Rigoard P.Self-reiki, consideration of a potential option for managing chronic pain during pandemic covid-19 period.Medicina. 2021;57(9):867. doi:10.3390/medicina57090867University of Minnesota.How can I find a qualified Reiki practitioner?Cancer Research UK.Reiki and cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Reiki.McManus DE.Reiki is better than placebo and has broad potential as a complementary health therapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1051-1057. doi:10.1177/2156587217728644Doğan MD.The effect of Reiki on pain: a meta-analysis.Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2018;31:384-387. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.020.Lindquist R, Snyder M, Tracy MF, eds.Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Nursing.Seventh edition. Springer Publishing Company;2014.Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ.Integrative reiki for cancer patients: a program evaluation.Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-67. doi:10.1177/1534735413503547Orsak G, Stevens AM, Brufsky A, Kajumba M, Dougall AL.The effects of reiki therapy and companionship on quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015;20(1):20-27. doi:10.1177/2156587214556313Özcan Yüce U, Taşcı S.Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2021;58:102708. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102708Joyce J, Herbison GP.Reiki for depression and anxiety.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(4):CD006833. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006833.pub2International Association of Reiki Professionals.What is Reiki?Billot M, Daycard M, Rigoard P.Self-reiki, consideration of a potential option for managing chronic pain during pandemic covid-19 period.Medicina. 2021;57(9):867. doi:10.3390/medicina57090867University of Minnesota.How can I find a qualified Reiki practitioner?Cancer Research UK.Reiki and cancer.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Reiki.
McManus DE.Reiki is better than placebo and has broad potential as a complementary health therapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1051-1057. doi:10.1177/2156587217728644
Doğan MD.The effect of Reiki on pain: a meta-analysis.Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2018;31:384-387. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.020.
Lindquist R, Snyder M, Tracy MF, eds.Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Nursing.Seventh edition. Springer Publishing Company;2014.
Fleisher KA, Mackenzie ER, Frankel ES, Seluzicki C, Casarett D, Mao JJ.Integrative reiki for cancer patients: a program evaluation.Integr Cancer Ther. 2014;13(1):62-67. doi:10.1177/1534735413503547
Orsak G, Stevens AM, Brufsky A, Kajumba M, Dougall AL.The effects of reiki therapy and companionship on quality of life, mood, and symptom distress during chemotherapy.J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015;20(1):20-27. doi:10.1177/2156587214556313
Özcan Yüce U, Taşcı S.Effect of Reiki on the stress level of caregivers of patients with cancer: Qualitative and single-blind randomized controlled trial.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2021;58:102708. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102708
Joyce J, Herbison GP.Reiki for depression and anxiety.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(4):CD006833. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006833.pub2
International Association of Reiki Professionals.What is Reiki?
Billot M, Daycard M, Rigoard P.Self-reiki, consideration of a potential option for managing chronic pain during pandemic covid-19 period.Medicina. 2021;57(9):867. doi:10.3390/medicina57090867
University of Minnesota.How can I find a qualified Reiki practitioner?
Cancer Research UK.Reiki and cancer.
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