Reiki: An Introduction

On this page:

• Key Points
• Overview
• Use in the United States
• The Status of Reiki Research
• Side Effects and Risks
• Training, Licensing, and Certification
• If You Are Thinking About Reiki
• Selected References
• For More Information

Reiki is a complementary health practice in which practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above the person, with the goal of facilitating the person’s own healing response. There is a lack of high-quality research in this field. However, this fact sheet provides basic information about Reiki and suggests sources for additional information.

Key Points

• Do not use Reiki to replace proven conventional medical care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
• Overall there is a lack of high-quality research on Reiki, and studies that have been done show conflicting results.
• Training and certification for Reiki practitioners are not formally regulated.
• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Overview

Reiki is based on an Eastern belief in an energy that supports the body’s innate or natural healing abilities. However, there is no scientific evidence that such an energy exists. Research on Reiki has generally focused on symptom management or well-being.

Use in the United States

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of the use of complementary health practices by Americans, more than 1.2 million adults—0.5 percent of the U.S. general adult population—had used an energy healing therapy, such as Reiki, in the previous year.

The Status of Reiki Research

There has been limited clinical research (studies in people) on Reiki. Available research has examined the use of Reiki for conditions such as fibromyalgia, pain, cancer, and depression, and for overall well-being. Although some small studies suggest that Reiki may help with symptoms related to these conditions, others have not found any clinical benefits. There is a lack of high-quality research to definitively evaluate Reiki’s effectiveness for any therapeutic purpose.

Side Effects and Risks

Reiki appears to be generally safe, and no serious side effects have been reported.

Training, Licensing, and Certification

No licensing, professional standards, or formal regulation exists for the practice of Reiki. There are many different forms of Reiki, and no special background or credentials are needed to receive training.

If You Are Thinking About Reiki

• Do not use Reiki to replace proven conventional medical care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
• Be aware that Reiki has not been thoroughly studied scientifically.
• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about complementary and alternative medicineA group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine., see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign.

Selected References

• Assefi N, Bogart A, Goldberg J, et al. Reiki for the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2008;14(9):1115–1122.
• Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007 (361KB PDF). CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. 2008.
• Bowden D, Goddard L, Gruzelier J. A randomised controlled single-blind trial of the effects of Reiki and positive imagery on well-being and salivary cortisol. Brain Research Bulletin. 2010;81(1):66–72.
• Coughlin P. Manual Therapies. In: Micozzi MS, ed. Fundamentals of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2006: 111–138.
• DiNucci EM. Energy healing: a complementary treatment for orthopaedic and other conditions. Orthopaedic Nursing. 2005;24(4):259–269.
• Fazzino DL, Griffin MT, McNulty RS, et al. Energy healing and pain: a review of the literature. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2010;24(2):79–88.
• LaTorre MA. The use of Reiki in psychotherapy. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 2005;41(4):184–187.
• Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Effects of Reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2008;62(6):947–954.
• Miles P. Reiki for mind, body, and spirit support of cancer patients. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine. 2007;22(2):20–26.
• Miles P, True G. Reiki—review of a biofield therapy history, theory, practice, and research. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2003;9(2):62–72.
• Nield-Anderson L, Ameling A. Reiki: a complementary therapy for nursing practice. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. 2001;39(4):42–49.
• Richeson NE, Spross JA, Lutz K, et al. Effects of Reiki on anxiety, depression, pain, and physiological factors in community-dwelling older adults. Research in Gerontological Nursing. 2010;3(3):187–199.
• So PS, Jiang Y, Qin Y. Touch therapies for pain relief in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;(4):CD006535. Accessed at www.thecochranelibrary.com on February 20, 2012.
• vanderVaart S, Gijsen VM, de Wildt SN, et al. A systematic review of the therapeutic effects of Reiki. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2009;15(11):1157–1169.