Reiki Therapy

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Possibly Ineffective for …

• Fibromyalgia. Some research shows that receiving Reiki therapy twice weekly for 8 weeks does not reduce pain or other symptoms in people with fibromyalgia.

Insufficient Evidence to Make a Determination for …

• Alzheimer disease. Early research shows that Reiki therapy might improve memory and behavioral problems in people with mild Alzheimer disease.
• Anxiety. Early research shows that Reiki therapy might slightly improve pain and anxiety in women.
• Tiredness in people with cancer. Early research shows that Reiki therapy can reduce fatigue in people undergoing cancer treatment. Reiki seems to work better than guided imagery and resting. But it doesn’t seem to be better than having a companion during treatment.
• Pain in people with cancer. Early evidence shows that Reiki therapy relieves pain in the short-term in people with cancer. Reiki might work better than listening to a guided imagery tape.
• Depression. Early research shows that hands-on Reiki or distance Reiki can improve depression and stress in people with self-reported depression.
• HIV/AIDS. Early research shows that practicing self-Reiki therapy improves anxiety and pain in people with HIV/AIDS.
• Pain. Early research shows that Reiki therapy might slightly improve pain and anxiety in women.
• Pain after surgery. Early research shows that adding Reiki therapy to normal care reduces pain and anxiety in women after surgical removal of the uterus. But other early research shows that Reiki does not reduce pain in children after dental surgery.
• Anxiety before surgery. It’s unclear if Reiki therapy reduces anxiety before surgery. But Reiki therapy might reduce anxiety before a colonoscopy.
• Feelings of well-being. Early research shows that giving Reiki therapy to patients undergoing cancer therapy improves feelings of comfort and well-being.
• Stroke recovery. Early research shows that adding Reiki therapy to rehabilitation therapy does not further improve recovery from stroke.
• Stress.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Reiki for these uses.

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Kee) therapy originated from Buddhist monks. “Rei” means “universal spirit” and “ki” means “life energy.” Therefore, Reiki literally means “universal life energy.”

Reiki is referred to as an “energy medicine” therapy because practitioners believe that it can improve the flow and balance of energy. It is believed that energy imbalances or disturbances result in disease.

People undergoing Reiki therapy sometimes can experience tingling sensations, sleepiness, or relaxation. People with pain, nausea, or fatigue sometimes experience relief of these symptoms.

Currently, the beliefs and theories of Reiki therapy are not supported by scientific research.

Reiki therapy appears to be LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately. However, it should not be considered appropriate as a substitute for usual medical treatments.

Reiki therapy has not been associated with any side effects.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if Reiki therapy is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But there’s no reason to believe that it might be harmful.

There are no known interactions with medications. Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods.

The appropriate or safe use of reiki therapy depends on several factors such as the condition being treated or the person administering the treatment. Reiki usually involves laying on of hands on certain body parts or sending energy from a distance. A Reiki practitioner might hold their hands on the person’s eyes, crown of the head, chest, feet, stomach, and other areas for 2-3 minutes. A typical Reiki session can be 15 to 90 minutes long. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment.

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