Reiki
![A man with a Reiki practitioner's hands hovering above him.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218054427im_/https://files.nccih.nih.gov/files/reiki-GettyImages-1146122726-square.jpg)
Reiki is a complementary health approach in which practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above a person, with the goal of directing energy to help facilitate the person’s own healing response. It’s based on an Eastern belief in an energy that supports the body’s innate or natural healing abilities.
Bottom Line
- Reiki hasn’t been clearly shown to be effective for any health-related purpose. It has been studied for a variety of conditions, including pain, anxiety, and depression, but most of the research has not been of high quality, and the results have been inconsistent.
- There’s no scientific evidence supporting the existence of the energy field thought to play a role in Reiki.
Safety
- Reiki hasn’t been shown to have any harmful effects.
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NCCIH has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider(s). We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCIH.