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How Does Reiki Work?

Reiki therapy is based on a belief that vital energy flows through your body. The idea is that a Reiki practitioner uses gentle touch -- or places their hands just above your body -- to help guide this energy in a way that promotes balance and healing.

You lie on a massage table, fully dressed, while a practitioner places their palms on or just over different body parts that are thought to be hubs for energy. The practitioner positions their hands in different ways. They decide how long to leave their palms in each spot based on the flow of energy that they perceive they’re feeling through their hands.

Even though you’re resting on a massage table, the practitioner isn’t giving a massage, using pressure, or manipulating your joints. They’re simply using gentle touch at most.

You might feel sensations like heat, tingling, or pulsing where their hands are, or throughout your body. Or you might not notice any changes. Some people get so relaxed that they fall asleep.

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What should I expect after Reiki?

You might feel more relaxed or less stressed out. If you’re getting Reiki for a health condition, you’ll still need to follow your treatment and see your doctor like you usually do. Reiki doesn’t replace your regular medical care.

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