History on Reiki

How Reiki Works?

Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive healing practice that encourages the natural flow of energy throughout the body. It supports balance and relaxation on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Though Reiki comes from ancient spiritual traditions, modern science is beginning to explore how practices like Reiki can reduce stress and support the body’s own healing mechanisms. Many people find Reiki to be a valuable complement to conventional medicine, helping them manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.

The Life-Force Energy: Ki

Central to Reiki is the concept of Ki—a universal life-force energy present in all living things. Known as Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Prana in Indian Ayurveda and yoga, Ki flows through specific energy centers called chakras and pathways called meridians. Blockages or disruptions in this energy flow are believed to contribute to physical ailments, emotional imbalances, and mental fatigue.

While Western medicine does not yet measure Ki directly, its existence is supported by practices such as acupuncture and qigong, which have shown tangible health benefits. These parallels offer a bridge for skeptics to understand Reiki’s framework as part of a wider tradition of energy medicine.

The Role of the Reiki Practitioner

During a Reiki session, the practitioner serves as a channel for universal life-force energy. Importantly, they do not use their own personal energy; instead, they facilitate the flow of Reiki energy, which is intelligent and self-guiding. This energy naturally moves to areas where it is most needed, responding to imbalances without conscious effort from either party.

Though this intuitive energy flow may sound mysterious, many recipients experience measurable relaxation and symptom relief. This suggests Reiki may engage physiological and psychological pathways—such as the nervous system’s relaxation response—that science is still uncovering.

The Science Behind Reiki

Research on Reiki is growing, with many studies highlighting its potential to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and healing. Reiki sessions have been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol, decrease heart rate and blood pressure, improve sleep, and support immune function.

Emerging scientific fields such as psychoneuroimmunology—which studies the connection between mind, nervous system, and immune responses—and biofield science explore how subtle energies like Reiki’s may affect health. While more rigorous research is needed, early clinical studies show promising results for Reiki in reducing pain, anxiety, and fatigue, especially as a complementary therapy in cancer care, surgery recovery, and mental health.

What You Might Feel During a Session

People’s experiences with Reiki vary widely. Some feel warmth, tingling, or gentle pulsations, while others sense a deep calm, emotional release, or mental clarity. These sensations often align with the body’s natural relaxation response, which helps release physical tension and stress held in muscles and the nervous system.

For skeptics, these effects can be explained as the body’s natural response to a quiet, focused environment combined with caring human touch or intention. Regardless of belief, many find Reiki sessions deeply restorative and grounding.

Reiki for Holistic Healing

Reiki works on the whole person—not just isolated symptoms—addressing physical, emotional, and mental well-being together. By clearing energy blockages and restoring balance across the entire system, Reiki supports the body’s natural healing processes and encourages personal growth.

Although the effects of Reiki can be subtle and cumulative, many recipients report lasting improvements in mood, sleep, pain management, and overall quality of life. Reiki is best viewed as a complementary therapy designed to support, not replace, conventional medical treatment.