What is Reiki and how does it work?

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice developed by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. Practitioners work with what is understood in the Reiki framework as universal life energy (ki), channelling it through light touch or near-body hand positions to support the recipient's natural healing capacity. From a contemporary integrative health perspective, Reiki is positioned as a complementary practice that promotes deep relaxation and parasympathetic nervous system activation — creating conditions that support recovery, stress reduction, and emotional regulation. The proposed energetic mechanism is not established in conventional science, but the relaxation response it induces is well-documented.

What does a Reiki session feel like?

Most people report a profound sense of relaxation, warmth, or gentle tingling during a session. Some experience emotional release, vivid imagery, or a sense of heaviness in the body. Sessions are typically conducted lying fully clothed on a treatment table in a quiet, calm environment. The practitioner places hands lightly on or just above specific body areas for several minutes each. Sessions generally last 45–90 minutes. Many clients fall asleep. There is rarely any discomfort.

Is there scientific evidence for Reiki?

Research on Reiki is limited in scale and quality, but growing. Several small RCTs and controlled studies have found benefits for anxiety reduction, pain management in cancer patients, and physiological markers of relaxation (heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol). A 2014 meta-analysis found moderate evidence for Reiki reducing anxiety and pain compared to sham treatment. Larger, methodologically rigorous trials are needed. The NHS in the UK and several major hospitals in the US have integrated Reiki as a complementary support for patients — not as a treatment for disease, but as a tool for wellbeing and comfort.

Can Reiki help with anxiety and stress?

This is where Reiki has the most consistent evidence. The deep relaxation response produced during a session reliably reduces acute anxiety and perceived stress. Regular sessions over several weeks have been shown to reduce baseline anxiety levels in multiple studies. The combination of stillness, human touch, intention, and therapeutic attention creates a powerful context for nervous system downregulation — regardless of the specific mechanism. For people who find verbal therapies difficult to access or who want a somatic complement to psychological work, Reiki can be a useful and accessible entry point.

Who should not receive Reiki?

Reiki is among the safest complementary modalities — it is non-invasive, requires no substances, and is suitable for most people including children, pregnant women, and the elderly. It is not a treatment for any medical condition and should never replace medical care. People with active psychosis or severe mental illness should discuss with their mental health team before engaging with energy-based modalities. Reiki should never be used as an alternative to urgent medical treatment.

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Reviewed by Internal Medical Editorial Team · Integrative Health Content Review

Quick answer

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice in which practitioners place their hands on or near the body to facilitate the flow of universal life energy for therapeutic purposes. It is commonly used to support relaxation, stress reduction, and anxiety, and is increasingly integrated into hospital and clinical settings alongside conventional care. Research evidence remains mixed, though some studies suggest potential benefits for pain perception and psychological well-being.

What Reiki is commonly used for

Conditions

Cancer Support Bereavement Generalized anxiety disorder Burnout