Can Reiki Heal?

Reiki is now widely practiced in the western world particularly in the United States and Europe. Reiki practitioners in these countries can now be found working in hospitals where they assist patients during critical medical procedures.

Recent research continues to explore Reiki in clinical settings. A2026 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 15 randomized control trials involving 1,219 surgical patients. The researchers found that Reiki, when used in a complimentary therapy, may help reduce postoperative pain, anxiety, and some measures of physiological stress.

Dr. Mike Cantwell, a pediatrician at California Pacific Medical Center, provides Reiki sessions and states: "I have found Reiki to be useful in the treatment of acute illnesses such as musculoskeletal injury, pain, headache, acute infections and asthma. Reiki is also useful for patients with chronic illnesses especially those associated with chronic pain."

Tests conducted at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut show that Reiki used during pregnancy reduced anxiety by 94 percent, nausea by 80 percent, pain by 78 percent and improved sleep by 86 percent.

Wang, H., Ma, Q., L., & Chen, F. (2026). The Effectiveness of Reiki in Surgical Care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Intensive & Critical Care Nursing.