What’s the Deal With Reiki?

If you’ve ever been to a holistic doctor or alternative therapy center, you might have noticed something called Reiki on the menu of services. If you’re curious about what it is and how it works, you’re not alone.

A simple Google search for the term ‘Reiki’ returns a whopping 95,600,000 search results. In this article, we’re breaking down everything you’ve ever wondered about Reiki, including whether or not it actually works.

What Exactly is Reiki?

So, what is Reiki? Essentially, it’s a type of alternative therapy that is used to heal the body through energy fields. During a Reiki session, a practitioner uses their hands to manipulate the person’s energy with the goal of promoting better flow and removing energy blocks that can cause a myriad of health issues.

Reiki might sound like a new-age gimmick, but it’s been used for centuries, with origins in Japanese culture. In fact, the term Reiki is derived from two Japanese words—”rei” (universal) and “ki” (life energy). It was made popular in western societies in the early 1900’s by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist.

Today, Reiki is offered in a number of settings. Many massage therapists and acupuncturists are certified Reiki practitioners, and offer the treatment in their clinics. Some hospitals are now providing Reiki services to patients, especially those in Hospice care.

What Happens During a Reiki Session?

The term “energy healing” can be a little daunting. But a Reiki session is meant to be a relaxing and healing experience. At the start of treatment, the person lies on a massage table or sits in a comfortable chair. The practitioner places their hands on specific parts of the body to read the person’s energy fields.

Using a series of techniques and hand positions, the practitioner slowly moves their hands over the body to promote energy flow. During the treatment, the practitioner observes feelings of heat or tingling in their hands, which means they have tapped into an energy field. When the sensation goes away, they move onto another part of the body.

Reiki sessions can last anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. Some Reiki practitioners also incorporate chakra work, crystals, and meditation to reduce negative energy and promote healing from the inside out.

The Benefits of Reiki

The goal of Reiki is to heal using energy. Some people get Reiki therapy for a specific health condition, while others get it as a way to increase overall vitality and wellbeing. Reiki has been said to reduce pain, improve spirituality, promote relaxation, and support the body’s natural healing process.

It’s important to note that Reiki healing is mental as well as physical. It’s been used to treat people with addiction and mental health disorders. It’s been shown to reduce insomnia, lower blood pressure, and improve mood. Even people with serious health issues, like cancer, heart disease and infertility, have seen positive results with Reiki.

Most people who undergo Reiki therapy report feeling extremely relaxed. Some medical experts believe that Reiki reduces symptoms of common illnesses because it reduces anxiety. For example, Reiki can’t necessarily shrink a tumor in a cancer patient, but it can calm their fear and stress, making them feel better overall.

Does Reiki Actually Work?

Now let’s address the question everyone wants to know…does Reiki actually work?

Well, it depends who you ask. There is currently no scientific evidence that proves Reiki is an effective way to cure certain illnesses or improve health outcomes. But based on the collective findings of 13 peer-reviewed studies, Reiki was found to be more effective than a placebo when it came to promoting mental and physical relaxation, lowering heart rate, and lowering blood pressure.

Although Reiki isn’t scientifically proven, many medical experts believe that the therapy can be beneficial because of its relaxing effect. Stress is directly linked to inflammation, and when stress levels are reduced, the body is able to function at a higher level and heal more effectively.

This goes without saying, but Reiki is not meant to replace medical treatment for serious health issues. It’s a supplemental therapy that many people believe can make clinical treatment more effective. There’s no evidence to suggest that Reiki is harmful in any way, or interferes with medical treatment.

The only way to know if Reiki truly works is to try it for yourself. If you don’t want to pay for a professional session, you can even practice Reiki at home with a family member. If you’ve had an experience with Reiki, tell us in the comments below!

Beth Rivelli is a Boston-based contributor for JUGs. She's a full-time content marketer, part-time Netflix addict, and self-proclaimed ice cream expert. Follow her @elizabethrivelli on Instagram.

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