What to Know About Reiki Healing for Self-Care

You've probably heard of it from your decidedly woo-woo aunt, or maybe someone in your yoga class shared details of their last session, which sparked your interest. You knew about mindfulness, acupuncture and cupping, but what is Reiki...exactly? And does it even work?

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

The origins of this energy healing practice can be traced back to the teachings of Mikao Usui, who developed Reiki as a system of spiritual healing in the early 1920s. It’s based on the principle of life force or universal energy, which, according to Eastern philosophy, refers to the psychophysical energy or natural force that permeates the universe and all living beings. 

Here's what you need to know before booking a Reiki appointment for your mental health.

How Reiki Healing Works

To better understand Reiki, let’s first look at what energy healing is. 

Energy healing is a holistic practice rooted in the Japanese philosophical belief that a universal life force flows through all living things. And that a disruption or an imbalance in this flow of energy within the body leads to physical, mental, or emotional distress. 

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 healing 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.

Every practitioner brings their own style and techniques to a Reiki session based on their training and how they interpret energy. For example, Betts begins her sessions by reviewing the client’s goals and intentions for the session and addressing any questions they might have about what to expect.

Next, “I get the client comfortable on a massage table. They stay fully clothed. I provide blankets and bolster for comfort. I always offer my clients the option for hands-on or hover above,” says Betts. 

She uses a pendulum to read their chakras or energy centers to 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. 

A Reiki healing session can last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the recipient’s needs and the practitioner’s techniques. 

Benefits of Reiki Healing for Self-Care

Incorporating Reiki into your self-care routine can have several physical, mental, and emotional benefits. For example:

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 meditation tape.

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. 

It May Lower Blood Pressure

A controlled study published in the Acta Paulista de Enfermagem journal found that patients with hypertension who were provided a single Reiki session for 20 minutes saw the greatest reduction in blood pressure than other groups. The researchers concluded that “Reiki had a positive effect on reducing abnormal blood pressure, suggesting to be a complementary technique for the control of hypertension.”

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. 

It May Stimulate Creativity

Children at play are in a wonderful state of creativity. Reiki fosters emotional and mental flexibility that can help you move into this state of mind in which you connect with your feelings and have the curiosity and initiative to try new things without fear blocking you, says Berry.

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. 

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.

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.

Other than that, Reiki can help with conditions such as insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, chronic inflammation, gout, arthritis, and asthma, says Berry. 

"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. 

Precautions and Considerations

“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. 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,” says Dr. Brandy Zachary, DC, IFMCP. 

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

While Reiki is generally safe, certain individuals should exercise caution or avoid it altogether. For example, those who have severe psychiatric disorders or a history of psychosis, as Reiki may potentially exacerbate these conditions, says Dr. Zachary. 

Additionally, those with pacemakers or other implanted medical devices should approach Reiki with caution, as its effects on these devices are not well understood, says Dr. Zachary. Also, individuals with severe burns or open wounds should avoid direct Reiki treatment in those areas, she adds.

If you are going for Reiki healing therapy and begin to experience new or worsening symptoms, talk to your physician as a precaution, Dr. Connor suggests. 

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

As for considerations, it’s important to communicate clearly with your practitioner about your goals, preferences, and expectations from the session before getting started. 

“Communication is crucial for trust, which is essential for any relationship between the healer and the client. 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,” says Fiore. 

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.”

Here’s a simple Reiki exercise for beginners: “Start by placing your hands on your heart every morning when you lay in bed and visualize light going from your hands into your heart, filling it up with love for the day. Breathe deeply into this feeling and allow the love to shower over you before you begin your day,” says Fiore. 

Keep in Mind

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice rooted in the principle of ‘ki’ or universal life force energy. Reiki healing aims to clear blocked or stagnant energy and improve energy flow to promote deep relaxation and healing of the body, mind, and spirit.

Though there’s limited scientific data to back its efficacy, experts agree it can be safely integrated into a healthy individual’s self-care routine as a complementary practice.