Reiki: An Introduction

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Reiki is a complementary health practice in which practitioners 

place their hands lightly on or just above the person, with the 

goal of facilitating the person’s own healing response. There is a 

lack of high-quality research in this field. However, this fact sheet 

provides basic information about Reiki and suggests sources for 

additional information.

Key Points 

• Do not use Reiki to replace proven conventional medical care or to 

postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.

• Overall there is a lack of high-quality research on Reiki, and 

studies that have been done show conflicting results.

• Training and certification for Reiki practitioners are not 

formally regulated.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary 

health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do 

to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and 

safe care.

Overview 

Reiki is based on an Eastern belief in an energy that supports the 

body’s innate or natural healing abilities. However, there is no 

scientific evidence that such an energy exists. Research on Reiki has 

generally focused on symptom management or well-being.

Use in the United States 

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which 

included a comprehensive survey of the use of complementary 

health practices by Americans, more than 1.2 million adults—0.5 

percent of the U.S. general adult population—had used an energy 

healing therapy, such as Reiki, in the previous year.
2 

The Status of Reiki Research 

There has been limited clinical research (studies in people) on Reiki. Available research has 

examined the use of Reiki for conditions such as fibromyalgia, pain, cancer, and depression, and 

for overall well-being. Although some small studies suggest that Reiki may help with symptoms 

related to these conditions, others have not found any clinical benefits. There is a lack of highquality research to definitively evaluate Reiki’s effectiveness for any therapeutic purpose.

Side Effects and Risks 

Reiki appears to be generally safe, and no serious side effects have been reported.

Training, Licensing, and Certification 

No licensing, professional standards, or formal regulation exists for the practice of Reiki. There 

are many different forms of Reiki, and no special background or credentials are needed to 

receive training.

If You Are Thinking About Reiki 

• Do not use Reiki to replace proven conventional medical care or to postpone seeing a 

health care provider about a medical problem.

• Be aware that Reiki has not been thoroughly studied scientifically.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Selected References 

Assefi N, Bogart A, Goldberg J, et al. Reiki for the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of 

Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2008;14(9):1115-1122.

Barnes PM, Bloom B, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United 

States, 2007. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. 2008.

Bowden D, Goddard L, Gruzelier J. A randomised controlled single-blind trial of the effects of Reiki and positive 

imagery on well-being and salivary cortisol. Brain Research Bulletin. 2010;81(1):66-72.

Coughlin P. Manual Therapies. In: Micozzi MS, ed. Fundamentals of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 3rd ed. St. 

Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2006: 111-138.

DiNucci EM. Energy healing: a complementary treatment for orthopaedic and other conditions. Orthopaedic Nursing. 

2005;24(4):259-269.

Fazzino DL, Griffin MT, McNulty RS, et al. Energy healing and pain: a review of the literature. Holistic Nursing Practice. 

2010;24(2):79-88.
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LaTorre MA. The use of Reiki in psychotherapy. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 2005;41(4):184-187.

Lee MS, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Effects of Reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. 

International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2008;62(6):947-954.

Miles P. Reiki for mind, body, and spirit support of cancer patients. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine. 2007;22(2):20-26.

Miles P, True G. Reiki—review of a biofield therapy history, theory, practice, and research. Alternative Therapies in Health 

and Medicine. 2003;9(2):62-72.

Nield-Anderson L, Ameling A. Reiki: a complementary therapy for nursing practice. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and 

Mental Health Services. 2001;39(4):42-49.

Richeson NE, Spross JA, Lutz K, et al. Effects of Reiki on anxiety, depression, pain, and physiological factors in 

community-dwelling older adults. Research in Gerontological Nursing. 2010;3(3):187-199.

So PS, Jiang Y, Qin Y. Touch therapies for pain relief in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 

2008;(4):CD006535. Accessed at http://www.thecochranelibrary.com on February 20, 2012.

vanderVaart S, Gijsen VM, de Wildt SN, et al. A systematic review of the therapeutic effects of Reiki. Journal of 

Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2009;15(11):1157-1169.

For More Information

NCCAM Clearinghouse

The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on NCCAM and complementary health 

practices, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical 

literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, 

or referrals to practitioners.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

Web site: nccam.nih.gov

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed®

A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed contains publication information and (in 

most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals.

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Clinical Research Trials and You

The National Institutes of Health has created a new website, NIH Clinical Research Trials and 

You to help people learn more about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate. 

Clinical trials are essential for identifying and understanding ways to prevent, diagnose, and 

treat disease.

Web site: www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials/
Acknowledgments 

NCCAM thanks Partap Khalsa, D.C., and John (Jack) Killen, Jr., M.D., NCCAM, for their contributions to 

the 2012 update of this publication.

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain.

Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. 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 NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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Created April 2006

Updated April 2012