What Is Reiki? The Complete Guide to Benefits and Treatments

Reiki: the definition

The word Reiki comes from two Japanese terms: rei (universal) and ki (life energy). The underlying concept — that living beings have a vital energy that can be channelled and balanced — is ancient and appears across many cultures: prana in the Indian tradition, qi in Chinese medicine, mana in Polynesian culture.

What distinguishes Reiki from other energy practices is the specific transmission method: a trained practitioner acts as a channel, placing their hands on or just above the recipient's body to facilitate the flow of this energy. The session does not require physical pressure, manipulation, or substances of any kind.

The origins of Reiki: Mikao Usui and the Usui system

Reiki was developed in Japan in 1922 by Mikao Usui (1865–1926), a spiritual teacher from Kyoto. After years of study in Buddhist and Shinto traditions, Usui underwent a 21-day meditation retreat on Mount Kurama. At the end of the retreat he reported a powerful experience of light and energy — an experience he interpreted as receiving the ability to heal through the laying on of hands.

Usui founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Society for the Usui Reiki Healing Method) in Tokyo and began teaching students, developing a systematic method with specific hand positions, attunements (initiations that open the student to the channel), and three levels of training. One of his students, Chujiro Hayashi, opened a Reiki clinic in Tokyo and trained Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who brought the practice to the West in the 1940s.

Today there are hundreds of thousands of Reiki practitioners on every continent. The original Usui method has given rise to numerous variants — Karuna Reiki, Holy Fire Reiki, Tibetan Reiki — but the Usui Shiki Ryoho system remains the most widespread and documented.

The benefits of Reiki: what the evidence says

The scientific evidence for Reiki is growing but still limited, mostly consisting of small-scale studies. What research has consistently found:

• Stress and anxiety reduction. Multiple studies show that Reiki produces measurable reductions in cortisol levels and self-reported anxiety, particularly in medical and pre-operative settings.
• Improved sleep quality. Recipients frequently report better, deeper sleep in the days following a session — even when this was not the primary reason for seeking treatment.
• Pain reduction. Particularly in the context of cancer care and chronic pain, several trials have documented reduced perception of pain after Reiki sessions. The mechanism is not fully understood.
• Emotional release and mood improvement. Many people describe noticeable improvements in mood, a sense of emotional lightness, and reduced emotional reactivity in the hours and days after a session.
• Deep physical relaxation. The parasympathetic nervous system response — the 'rest and digest' state — is consistently activated during Reiki sessions, producing the same physiological markers as deep meditation.

What Reiki is not proven to do: cure disease, replace medication, or guarantee any specific outcome. A practitioner who promises these things is misrepresenting the practice.

The types of Reiki: Usui, Karuna, Holy Fire

Starting from the Usui Shiki Ryoho system, several variations have developed over the decades. Here are the three most common:

Usui Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho)

The original and most widespread form. It uses 12 standard hand positions covering the head, torso, and legs. The practitioner is trained in three levels: Level I (self-healing and in-person treatments), Level II (distance techniques and symbols), and Level III/Master (ability to train and attune other practitioners).

Karuna Reiki

Developed in the 1990s by William Lee Rand and the International Center for Reiki Training. It works with a set of additional symbols aimed at deeper emotional and karmic patterns. Requires a prior Reiki Master degree.

Holy Fire Reiki

A more recent evolution (2014) of the Usui and Karuna systems, also developed by William Lee Rand. It emphasises a type of healing energy described as of higher quality and more refined. Common among advanced practitioners in the United States and Europe.

How a Reiki session works: step by step

Whether in person or online, a Reiki session follows a recognisable structure. Knowing what to expect removes most of the uncertainty.

1. Initial check-in (5–10 minutes). The session begins with a brief conversation. The practitioner asks how you're feeling, whether you have any specific concerns — stress, physical pain, emotional heaviness — and what you'd like to focus on. This is not therapy: it's orientation.

2. Preparation. For in-person sessions, you lie fully clothed on a padded table, often with a blanket. For distance sessions, you find a quiet place at home — sofa, bed, floor cushion — where you can close your eyes and relax for 45–60 minutes.

3. The energy treatment. The practitioner moves through the standard hand positions — head, shoulders, chest, abdomen, legs — spending several minutes on each. The hands are placed lightly on the body or just above it. In a distance session, the practitioner works through the same positions energetically, often guiding you with their voice at the beginning and end.

4. You rest. Your only job is to breathe and receive. Most people close their eyes. Some fall asleep — this is perfectly fine and does not diminish the effectiveness of the session.

5. Closing and debrief (5–10 minutes). The practitioner signals the end of the session. There is a brief exchange about what you noticed — sensations, emotions, mental images — and practical suggestions: drink water, avoid intense exercise, pay attention to your dreams that night.

Distance Reiki: does it work online?

This is the most common question from people approaching Reiki for the first time. The short answer: the majority of people who receive distance Reiki report the same quality of experience as in-person sessions.

Distance Reiki has been part of the tradition since the very beginning. At Level II, practitioners learn a specific technique called enkaku chiryo (distant treatment) which, in the Usui system, uses a specific symbol to bridge space. Whether you interpret this as working through intention, focused attention, or something not yet scientifically understood, the practical result is consistent: warmth, tingling, deep relaxation, emotional shifts.

Distance Reiki also removes logistical barriers: you don't have to travel, you can be at home in comfortable clothes, and you have access to practitioners anywhere in the world — not just those nearby.

How many Reiki sessions do you need?

There is no fixed number. Every person responds differently depending on what they bring to the session. Some general guidelines:

• For acute stress or curiosity: a single session is often enough to get a clear sense of whether Reiki is useful to you. Many people notice significant relaxation after the first session.
• For chronic stress or ongoing difficulty: most practitioners suggest an initial series of 3 to 6 sessions spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart. This allows time for cumulative effects to build.
• For maintenance and prevention: many people who benefit from Reiki continue with monthly or bi-monthly sessions to maintain the sense of balance and wellbeing.

How to choose a Reiki practitioner

Reiki does not have a single international certification body, so credentials vary considerably. Here is what to look for — and what to avoid:

• Training level. A practitioner offering sessions should be at minimum Level II (which gives access to distance techniques and a broader range of hand positions). Level III/Master practitioners have completed advanced training and are able to initiate others.
• Clear communication. A good practitioner explains what they do, sets realistic expectations, and does not promise cures or specific medical outcomes.
• Verified reviews. Word of mouth and verifiable reviews (not just testimonials on their own website) remain the most reliable signal of quality.
• No pressure. A professional practitioner never pressures you to book a long series of sessions from the outset, nor claims that stopping treatment early will harm you.

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Frequently asked questions