Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Medical Library
  • Reiki
Content
Health Information

Reiki

Topic Contents

Topic Contents

  • Topic Overview
  • Related Information
  • References
  • Credits

Top of the page

Reiki

Topic Overview

What is reiki?

Reiki means "universal life energy" and is an ancient healing method that manipulates energy flow in the body. Reiki practitioners believe there is an energy force in and around the body. They believe that there is a flow of energy between the reiki practitioner and the receiver of the treatment. It is thought that reiki releases energy flows and allows the body's own natural healing ability to work.

Reiki focuses on seven main energy centers, called chakras, in your body. The energy should flow freely through your chakras in order for you to be spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy. Practitioners believe that if energy paths are blocked, you may feel ill or weak or have pain.

A reiki treatment session usually lasts an hour. The reiki practitioner puts his or her hands over or on your body at certain chakras. Most reiki practitioners recommend more than one session.

What is reiki used for?

People use reiki to decrease pain, ease muscle tension, speed healing, and improve sleep.

Reiki is sometimes used to help people who suffer from pain or discomfort from cancer or other diseases. But reiki is not used as a treatment for cancer or any other disease. Some people who have undergone chemotherapy treatment said they felt better and had less nausea after undergoing a reiki session. Research is ongoing to determine any benefits of reiki.

Is reiki safe?

Many people who receive reiki say they experience a refreshed spirit, better healing, and an increase in general well-being.

No scientific studies have proved whether reiki is effective for treating any type of disease. But some health professionals believe it may be useful in helping reduce stress and anxiety.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Related Information

  • Complementary Medicine

References

Other Works Consulted

  • Ergil KV (2011). Traditional medicines of China. In M Micozzi, ed., Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 4th ed., pp. 373–402. St. Louis: Saunders.
  • Freeman L (2009). Spirituality and healing. In L Freeman, ed., Mosby's Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach, 3rd ed., pp. 485–518. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.

Credits

Current as of: September 23, 2020

Current as of: September 23, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen M. Fairfield MD, MPH, DrPH - Internal Medicine

  • Top of Page
  • Next Section:

    Related Information
  • Previous Section:

    Topic Overview
  • Top of Page
  • Next Section:

    References
  • Previous Section:

    Related Information
  • Top of Page
  • Next Section:

    Credits
  • Previous Section:

    References
  • Top of Page

Current as of: September 23, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen M. Fairfield MD, MPH, DrPH - Internal Medicine

    Click here to learn about HealthwiseClick here to learn about Healthwise

    This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

    To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.

    © 1995-2021 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

    About Sutter

  1. About Our Network
  2. Annual Report
  3. Awards
  4. Community Benefit
  5. Contact Us
  6. News
  7. Giving
  8. Find Care

  9. Birth Centers
  10. Care Centers
  11. Emergency Rooms
  12. Hospitals
  13. Imaging
  14. Labs
  15. Surgery Centers
  16. Urgent Care
  17. Walk-In Care
  18. View All >
  19. Featured Services

  20. Behavioral Health
  21. Cancer Services
  22. Family Medicine
  23. Home Health and Hospice
  24. Orthopedics
  25. Pediatrics
  26. Pregnancy
  27. Primary Care
  28. Women's Health
  29. View All >
  30. Patient Resources

  31. Accepted Health Plans
  32. Classes and Events
  33. Estimate Costs
  34. Flu Resources
  35. Health and Wellness
  36. Medical Records
  37. Medicare
  38. My Health Online
  39. Pay a Bill
  40. Symptom Checker
  41. Our Team

  42. For Employees
  43. Physician Careers
  44. Recruiting Events
  45. Sutter Careers
  46. Vendors
  47. Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences