Reiki is a Japanese-origin practice in which a practitioner places their hands lightly on, or just above, a person while the person rests. Practitioners describe this as channelling a universal life energy. Scientific research has not found evidence for such an energy field.
What the word means
Reiki is usually explained as two Japanese words, often glossed as universal and energy. How closely that gloss matches Japanese usage differs between teachers and schools.
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Origins and history
Reiki is generally traced to Mikao Usui in early twentieth century Japan, and then spread through several lineages. Details differ between schools, so the dates and names on this page are confirmed against named sources before it goes live [ADD SOURCES].
The five principles
- Just for today, do not anger.
- Just for today, do not worry.
- Be grateful.
- Work diligently.
- Be kind to others.
What research shows
NCCIH says Reiki has not been clearly shown effective for any health purpose. A 2025 meta-analysis found a small quality-of-life signal across 11 trials, with wide variation. Read the full evidence page before deciding.