What Is Reiki? A Gentle Guide to Energy Healing and How It Works

What Is Reiki? 

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that promotes balance and healing on all levels—physical, emotional, mental, and energetic. As a Reiki practitioner, I act as a channel for universal life force energy, transferring it through gentle touch or by hovering my hands above the body. 

While a Reiki session might look similar to a massage, it’s not the same. There’s no pressure or manipulation involved. Instead, I place my hands lightly on or just above specific areas of the body to help clear stuck energy, calm the nervous system, and support your body’s natural ability to heal. 

What Is Universal Life Force Energy? 

The difference between a living person and a corpse is life force energy. Every living being has energy flowing through them—it’s what powers your body, your mind, your emotions. When that energy is strong and balanced, we tend to feel healthy, focused, and emotionally steady. But when it’s blocked or depleted, we may feel physically unwell, mentally foggy, emotionally overwhelmed, or just "off." 

Reiki doesn’t come from me—I’m not generating it, and it doesn’t drain me. I simply channel universal life force energy so your body can receive what it needs to reset and restore. 

How Does Reiki Work? 

Reiki works by clearing stagnant or blocked energy that can contribute to: 

● Chronic stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm 

● Mental fog, lack of focus, or feeling stuck 

● Physical symptoms like tension, pain, and headaches 

● Exhaustion, even after resting 

Think of it like a kink in a garden hose—if water (or energy) can’t flow freely, everything downstream suffers. Reiki gently helps release those energetic kinks so your body can function more optimally. 

It also shifts your nervous system from fight-or-flight mode (your stress response) into rest-and-restore mode (your healing state). When you're constantly stuck in fight-or-flight, your body can't truly relax or repair. Reiki gives it the space to do just that.

How Often Should I Receive Reiki? 

The frequency of Reiki sessions really depends on you. Some people come as needed, while others benefit from consistent support. 

I usually suggest starting with a session once a month and seeing how that feels. Some people find they want more regular support—every two weeks or even weekly during certain seasons of life. 

Reiki energy typically continues working for about a week after a session, so unless you're working with specific circumstances (like chronic pain, pre-labor support, or emotional processing), you likely don’t need it more often than that. 

Just like you might see a therapist more often during hard times or visit your doctor less frequently when you're well, your Reiki needs may shift. That’s completely normal and should be honored. 

My Story: I Was a Skeptic Too 

I didn’t grow up with energy healing. In fact, I thought it sounded like nonsense. I struggled with hormonal acne, ruptured ovarian cysts, debilitating PMS, and chronic anxiety for years. I tried everything: specialists, medications, diets, expensive tests, facials—nothing helped. 

Then I tried Reiki, and everything began to shift. 

My skin cleared. My PMS and cyst pain disappeared. I finally felt calm, rested, and at home in my body. Even my insomnia and anxiety symptoms improved. I no longer take prescriptions for things I once thought I'd live with forever. 

That’s why I believe in Reiki—not because someone told me to, but because I experienced the difference firsthand. 

Does Reiki Go Against Religion? 

No. Reiki is not religious or secular. It doesn’t require any particular belief system, and it doesn’t interfere with your faith. 

You can think of it like taking a walk or going to therapy—it’s something you do to support your well-being. Many people see Reiki as healing energy from God, from the earth, or from whatever higher power they believe in. 

As a Christian, I personally view Reiki as the energy of God’s creation—something natural and sacred. But you can interpret it through whatever spiritual lens feels right for you. 

Reiki and Western Medicine 

Reiki isn’t just a spiritual or holistic practice. It’s used in more than 800 U.S. hospitals to support patients with pain relief, stress reduction, and faster recovery. Hospitals like the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and Yale New Haven incorporate Reiki alongside traditional care to improve patient outcomes and comfort. 

The Science Behind Reiki 

Scientific studies have explored Reiki’s effects on healing and relaxation. In one well-known experiment, researchers compared two 

groups of rats: one received Reiki from a trained practitioner, and the other received hand movements without real energy work. The Reiki group survived. The other did not. 

While we don’t fully understand how it works (just like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or how sea turtles find their nesting beaches), the results speak for themselves. 

If you’d like to explore the research, I’m happy to share studies and articles that go deeper. 

What About Distance Reiki? 

Distance Reiki works similarly to prayer. Just like you can pray for someone far away, Reiki energy can be sent across any distance. Think of how we send texts, access Wi-Fi, or stream music through invisible signals. Energy doesn’t need to be physically close to be effective. 

In my practice, distance Reiki is just as powerful as in-person sessions—sometimes even more so, because you're receiving it in your own comfortable space. 

Final Thoughts 

Reiki is not magic. It’s not a cure-all. And it’s definitely not a replacement for medical care. But it is a powerful tool to support your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. 

Whether you're navigating a tough season or simply want to feel more grounded and balanced, Reiki meets you where you are. It's gentle, effective, and rooted in both ancient tradition and modern understanding. 

If you’re curious, let’s talk. You don’t have to believe in it for it to work—but once you feel the difference, you might just believe anyway. 

✧ Reiki in Peer-Reviewed Research 

Here’s what the science says about Reiki’s effectiveness in clinical settings. 

1. Reiki for Pain and Anxiety in Cancer Patients 

Study: Reiki as a Complementary Therapy for Pain Management in Cancer Patients This randomized controlled trial found that Reiki significantly reduced pain, anxiety, and heart rate in cancer patients receiving outpatient treatment. Read the study → 

2. Reiki & Hand Massage for Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Study: The Effects of Reiki and Hand Massage on Pain and Fatigue in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Both Reiki and hand massage were shown to significantly reduce pain and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, supporting Reiki as a valuable non-drug intervention. Read the study → 

3. Reiki Improves Heart Rate Regulation in Rats 

Study: Effects of Reiki on Autonomic Nervous System Function in Rats This laboratory study demonstrated that Reiki improved heart rate variability and autonomic balance, offering measurable evidence of Reiki's physiological effects—even in animals. Read the study → 

4. Reiki Lowers Blood Pressure and Alcohol Use in Young Adults 

Study: Effect of Reiki Therapy on Blood Pressure and Alcohol Consumption in Young Adults Participants who received Reiki therapy showed reductions in both blood pressure and alcohol cravings, highlighting Reiki’s calming and regulatory effects on the nervous system. Read the study → 

5. Reiki Reduces Pre-Procedure Anxiety and Stress 

Study: The Effect of Reiki on Anxiety, Stress, and Comfort Before Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Compared to a sham group, Reiki recipients experienced significantly reduced anxiety and stress, as well as greater comfort, prior to undergoing a medical procedure. Read the study → 

6. Reiki + Self-Efficacy = Greater Healing Impact in Cancer Patients 

Study: Self-Efficacy for Coping with Cancer Enhances the Effect of Reiki Treatments Breast cancer patients who believed in their ability to cope experienced enhanced effects of Reiki, including reduced anxiety and improved mood before surgery. Read the study → 

📚 Online Resources 

● Effects of Religious Symbols on Brain Functions A research article exploring how religious and spiritual symbols can influence brain function and perception of healing. 

● Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy A peer-reviewed study showing Reiki’s measurable benefits beyond placebo and its use in healthcare settings. 

● Quantum Entanglement: A Simple Explanation An easy-to-understand breakdown of quantum entanglement and why it matters in energy work. 

● Quantum Entanglement: Video Explanation A short video explaining the science of quantum entanglement in clear, simple terms. 

Want more science-based research? Email me if you’d like even more peer-reviewed Reiki studies or a curated list based on specific health concerns you're exploring.