• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Reiki and its Role as a Complementary Therapy

Medically reviewed and edited by Dr. Anthony Puopolo

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a holistic healing technique that involves energy being transferred through the body via gentle touch or hovering hands. Reiki practitioners are said to utilize an energy field around the body – the “Biofield” – to encourage the person’s system to heal and for balance to be restored.

The practice is a type of complementary medicine — a category of treatments that are used alongside standard medical treatments, but which should not be used as substitutes for medication or medical remedies.

According to Pamela Miles, a Reiki master and researcher who works with Harvard and Yale medical schools, the practice of Reiki allegedly shifts one’s state of stress response from “fight-or-flight” to rest during the session. This is said to be a much better condition for a person’s overall well-being and long-term health.

Reiki sessions typically last between 60 and 90 minutes, and are conducted by Reiki practitioners. It is important to seek out a highly qualified practitioner, as Reiki is not regulated by the government, and therefore practically anybody can earn an online certification.

The most reputable Reiki training organizations are the International Association of Reiki Professionals and the International Center for Reiki Training.

While there is little evidence proving the clinical effectiveness of Reiki, it is important to note the large amount of anecdotal evidence claiming that Reiki can be helpful in relieving stress and promoting overall well being.

Where did Reiki come from?

Mikao Usui is said to be the father of Reiki. Born in 1865, it is believed Usui spent his life studying old Japanese Buddhist texts. It is also reported that he would fast and meditate to grasp a deeper understanding of life. In 1922, Usui claimed to receive a powerful form of energy – now known as Reiki – when meditating near or on Mount Kurama, a sacred place near Tokyo, Japan.

Usui claimed that healing the spirit was as important and essential as healing the body. He set out to publicize his experience and created a system to assist people’s spiritual progressions, prioritizing a healing of the minds.

Hwayo Takata, a student of Usui and Japanese immigrant living in Hawaii, brought Reiki to the West. By the time Takata passed away in 1980, Reiki had spread to Europe, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Currently, over 800 hospitals in the United States offer Reiki to their patients.

How does Reiki work?

Reiki healing is traditionally split up into three levels, known as the three degrees of attunement. There is a common misperception that all three levels are necessary to develop a comprehensive understanding of Reiki. However, that is not the case.

The three degrees of attunement are broken down into:

• Level 1: After the first level, one is equipped with the tools they need to practice Reiki on themselves and those close to them. The only prerequisite for beginning Reiki healing is a desire to learn, openness, and a commitment to use Reiki regularly.

• Level 2: The second level involves additional instruction in different applications of Reiki, specifically using energy patterns and symbols.

• Level 3: This is the final degree of attunement, also known as Master Training. According to the Reiki Alliance, a Reiki practitioner should actively work with Reiki for between three and 10 years before moving on to this final level of training. A person who receives this final degree has the ability to educate others and spread the lessons of Reiki.

The Role of Reiki in Complementary Medicine

Often used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments, Reiki has many reported benefits in mainstream healthcare settings.

It is important to note that there is little scientific explanation for Reiki exhibiting healing properties. That being said, as a complementary medicine, it is reportedly effective.

Some of these reported benefits include:

• Stress and anxiety reduction

• Acute pain relief

• Improvements in sleep quality

• Help in coping with chronic pain

• Support for the healing process after surgery

• Increase in relaxation and well-being

In recent years, more research has emerged supporting the effectiveness of Reiki as a complementary treatment for patients with a variety of conditions.

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine revealed that in the majority of trials, there was reasonably strong evidence that Reiki increased healing ability in patients.

Treating specific conditions with Reiki

People have reported using Reiki to treat symptoms associated with the following conditions, in conjunction with their prescribed medical treatments:

• PTSD

• Depression

• Side effects from cancer treatment (specifically chemotherapy)

• High blood pressure

• Insomnia

Undergoing Reiki treatment enables the person to deeply relax, which can help to reduce tension and pain in the body.

Side Effects of Reiki

Reiki is considered a very safe practice, as the practitioner does little besides gently placing their hands on the person or hovering the hands above their body.

That being said, a few adverse effects and drawbacks of the practice have been reported. They include:

• Sitting or lying unmoving while the practitioner stands over them can feel awkward and uncomfortable, potentially leading to anxiety, panic attacks, or an inability to relax.

• Increased tiredness after a session is common, which can sometimes lead to headache, stomachache, or weakness.

Integrating Reiki Safely

As mentioned earlier, it is incredibly important when beginning your Reiki treatment journey to seek out a Reiki practitioner who is a member of a reputable organization. This means that the practitioner abides by a code of ethics.

Finding a practitioner who you feel comfortable with is key. The environment in which you’re being treated should be clean and quiet. The practitioner should also be insured and able to present the link that connects them back to Usui, the founder of Reiki.

If you are considering undergoing Reiki treatment as a complementary medicine, it is recommended that you engage in open communication with your doctor. Make an appointment with your dedicated healthcare provider at LifeMD to discuss how best to incorporate Reiki into your treatment plan.

Controversies and Skepticism

There is a good amount of skepticism surrounding Reiki due to the limited amount of proven scientific evidence supporting its efficacy. Fundamentally, it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of Reiki.

Researchers use units for stress and pain that include heart rate, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol to measure the effects of Reiki in treating certain conditions. Because of the subtle yet complex nature of Reiki healing, these specific measures may not fully capture a realistic experience of those receiving Reiki.

Additionally, recent studies of Reiki have not necessarily been productive. This is because most reported studies in recent years have been randomized controlled trials, typically used to test the impact of pharmaceutical products, not complementary therapies. There is now a conversation about if the way Reiki is being studied is most effective, or if there are alternative options for future research.

Skepticism also grows around the idea of the “biofield.” This alleged field of energy surrounding the body is said to be at the center of Reiki healing. That being said, modern technology is unable to measure the field, thus fostering doubt around the practice as a whole.

Research and Future Directions

Despite the significant skepticism surrounding Reiki’s effectiveness, the practice is continuing to grow in popularity. It is important to note that there has been an influx of research into the benefits of Reiki that has the potential to legitimize the practice in the medical field.

Specifically, the underlying physiological and psychological mechanisms of Reiki healing are being researched, with a focus on how Reiki can be a tool for supporting mental health.

The bottom line is that the research surrounding Reiki healing is constantly evolving, so it is important to stay informed about new developments.

Engage in an open dialogue with your healthcare provider about the possibility of incorporating Reiki healing into your treatment plan, and take the next step toward feeling your best.

Dr. Anthony Puopolo

Dr. Puopolo holds a B.A. in Biology from Tufts University, M.A. in Biology from Boston University, and Doctor of Medicine from the Boston University School of Medicine. He also completed a Family Medicine and Psychiatry residency program in the U.S. Army.

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