Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique developed in the early 20th century, based on the premise that a practitioner can channel universal life force energy (ki) through the hands to promote physical and emotional healing. It is classified as a complementary therapy and is widely practiced alongside conventional medicine.

Origins

Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in Japan around 1922. Usui’s system, called Usui Reiki Ryōhō, was transmitted through Hawayo Takata to the West in the 1930s-1940s. The practice draws from Japanese Buddhist and Shinto traditions, as well as earlier healing arts. The word Reiki combines rei (universal) and ki (life energy).

Methodology

Reiki practitioners place their hands lightly on or near the body in a series of positions, typically progressing from head to feet. The practitioner acts as a conduit for healing energy rather than directing it consciously. Sessions last 45-90 minutes and are generally painless. Traditional Reiki includes five precepts (gokai) for ethical living and specific hand positions for different conditions.

Claims

Practitioners claim Reiki can reduce pain, accelerate healing, decrease anxiety, improve sleep, and promote overall well-being. Specific claims include relief from chronic pain, support during cancer treatment, and emotional balance. Some claim Reiki can influence the body’s energy field and chakra system.

Modern status

Reiki is offered in many hospitals and hospices as a complementary therapy, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, and parts of Europe. In India, it is practiced through various Reiki associations and training centres. The practice is generally considered safe with no known adverse effects when used alongside conventional treatment.

Verification notes

Scientific evidence for Reiki’s efficacy remains limited and controversial. Clinical research has not shown Reiki to be effective as a treatment for medical conditions, and studies reporting positive effects have had methodological issues including lack of blinding and small sample sizes. The proposed mechanism of energy healing lacks empirical support, and no empirical evidence exists for the universal life force it posits. Vidyākośa marks Reiki as unverified, noting that any benefits may be attributable to placebo effects or therapeutic touch rather than energy transfer.

• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).