I was introduced to Reiki about twenty year ago when my mother was receiving reiki treatments from a friend at her church in Wilton, Maine. She loved the Reiki and couldn’t believe how well it worked for alleviating the pain she experienced from rheumatoid arthritis.  I later received Reiki in a hospital setting during a typically painful biopsy. I experienced no pain during the procedure.  These experiences led me to seek Reiki attunement and training as a Holy Fire® Reiki Master.

Reiki is a form of biofield energy therapy. Other biofield energy therapies include Qigong, Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Acupuncture. Reiki is applied through gentle non-invasive touch, with the practitioner laying thier hands either on (or just above) specific regions of the body.  The goal of Reiki is to assist the body's own restorative processes.  The literal translation of “Reiki”  is derived from Japanese:   “rei” meaning “universal” and “ki” meaning “life energy.” 

In the United States alone,  fifteen top academic hospitals including Duke, Yale, and John Hopkins, now offer Reiki.  Across the network of Boston hospitals at least 10 physicians receiving Reiki treatments as part of a grant from the Maynard Family Foundation went on to pursue Reiki training themselves,  something that would be unheard of 20 years ago.  Well over four thousand Reiki  treatments have been provided at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospitals in the Boston region and beyond. (Leskowitz, MD) Alongside this are a growing number of scientific studies that have demonstrated that Reiki reduces pain, anxiety, depression, and even blood pressure in patients suffering from a range of medical conditions.  For instance, one study at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut demonstrated increased overall patient satisfaction with Reiki treatments.  The findings indicated that during pregnancy Reiki improved patient sleep by 86%, reduced pain by 78%, reduced nausea by 80%, and reduced anxiety by 94%. Other studies have shown that Reiki has positive results for individuals in hospice and end-of-life transitions .

We are so used to thinking of things in solid physical terms that the idea of reiki, or some other form of “energy,” having an effect on the body sounds mystical or woo-woo even if it is electric or magnetic,  Most of us have had the direct experience of feeling stressed around a stressed person or even relaxed when we encounter a calming presence. Our nervous systems are open systems.   The mirror neuron system (MNS) in the brain actually facilitates emotional contagion— the transference of emotional states between people.  

The biofield, an electric and magnetic field,  flows in, through and around living organisms.  All biological organisms owe their very existence to electric or magnetic fields;  for example, the heart generates and electric field that regulates its rhythm.  The electric field of the heart, which an ECG measures, is about 60 times greater in amplitude than the electric field of the brain, which we measure with an EEG.   

Bioflield energy therapies like Reiki typically activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which assists the immune system and enhances the body’s natural healing processes.  Researchers have measured the biofield using gas discharge visualization (GDV) and other bioelectromagnetic techniques.  

Many people report that Reiki has helped them heal from complex emotions, insomnia, and low self-esteem, all of which are associated with early recovery.  Moreover, individuals who receive Reiki report that they benefit spiritually. Following a Reiki treatment it is not uncommon for people to report feeling more connected with themselves and others, and less attached to unhealthy habits and mental behavior patterns.

Research Publications

Reviews of eleven studies have identified the benefits for Reiki in mental health care. Holist Nurs Pract 2021 July-Aug; 35(4) 191-198

There is reasonably strong support for Reiki as a safe and gentle “complementary” therapy that activates the parasympathetic nervous system to heal body and mind. It has potential for broader use in management of chronic health conditions, and possibly in postoperative recovery. Research is needed to optimize the delivery of Reiki. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Oct ;22 (4):1051-1057.

Reiki has ancient roots but is uniquely suited to modern nursing practice. Relaxation, pain relief, physical healing, reduced emotional distress, and a deepened awareness of spiritual connection are among the benefits of Reiki. J NY State Nurses Assoc. 2003 Spring-Summer; 34 (1) 9-13

In a study of women who had total knee arthroplasty Reiki therapy sessions resulted in statistically significant reductions in pain. Nursing 2016 Feb; 46 (2) 17-23

Evidence suggests that Reiki therapy may be effective for pain and anxiety relief (literature review). Pain Manag Nurs 2014 Dec; 15 (4): 897-908

Reiki therapy is useful for relieving pain, decreasing anxiety/depression and improving quality of life in in several conditions. Preliminary results tend to show some positive effects of Reiki therapy for the end-of-life population. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2019 Dec, 9 (4): 434-438.

One meta-analysis revealed that Reiki was an effective approach in relieving pain. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2018 May; 31:384-387

A limited number of studies show that Reiki applied to patients with cancer has a positive effect on pain. Holst Nurs Pract 2023; 37 (5): 265-276

Complementary and alternative medicine in hospice and Palliative Care may provide limited short term benefit in patients with symptom burden. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2018 Nov; 56 (5) 781-794.e4

Some Complementary Alternative Medicine therapies (Reiki) may help reduce post-CS pain for up to 24 hours. Cochrane Databaase Syst Rev 2020 Sept 1;9(9);CD01126