Primarily, Reiki shifts your body’s stress response from its “fight-or-flight” state to a more restful state during and immediately after the session, which is better for your well-being and your health in the long run. Being in fight-or-flight mode triggers the release of stress hormones and other physiological changes that can be damaging if experienced constantly. Then, once your body is less stressed, it can better heal itself.  

Curious about how to get started? Here’s what you need to know.

Is Reiki Right for Me?

As Reiki is gentle and noninvasive, it’s really safe for everyone.  People most commonly seek Reiki to help them prepare for or recover from surgery, manage stress and anxiety, cope with the loss of a loved one, or as an adjunct to professional medical care, like cancer treatment. 

Reiki may be especially helpful if you haven’t seen results from other treatments or solutions. If nothing else is working, it’s usually because the [nervous] system is so stressed. Reiki may boost the effectiveness of other medical treatments by reducing stress, which can be a roadblock.

But Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment. People should always contact a doctor for professional help for any medical or mental [health] issues. Once you’ve gotten help from a professional, Reiki may be added as a form of complementary care.

What Will the First Reiki Session Be Like?

Reiki sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes (though that varies). Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for your first session.

Expect to spend the entire session lying fully clothed on a treatment table. You may be on your back for the full session, or the practitioner may have you roll onto your stomach at some point. Just make sure to tell the practitioner beforehand if you’re pregnant or can’t lie flat for some reason.

The practitioner may work with their hands on or off your body, though they’ll never touch genitals or women’s breasts (unless someone with breast cancer specifies that she or he would like that area worked on).

The goal of the session is relaxation, so there likely won’t be much talking. It’s important, however, that you tell the practitioner if you need any adjustments at any point during the session. Your comfort is the most important thing, so if you’re uncomfortable for any reason, like if you’re too hot or cold, or the position you’re lying in is uncomfortable, let the practitioner know.

She keeps blankets and pillows near the treatment table in case people get cold or need a lift under their knees.

As the practitioner works, you may feel a warm, pulsing energy coming from his or her hands. All these sensations are very comforting, and they don’t mean anything other than that the Reiki [energy] is really flowing.

You should feel deeply relaxed during the session. Some people fall asleep; others enter a deep meditative state. For this reason, practitioners will gently awaken people once the session is over. The Reiki session should leave you feeling very calm and relaxed. The idea is to bring this state with you, so you want to get off the table in a calm, slow, deliberate way. Sit for a few minutes and sip some water.

If possible, go home and relax after your Reiki session. If you can’t go straight home, try to avoid stressful errands or tasks — or build in a non-stressful buffer activity before returning to your typical routine. For example, if you have to go back to work, stop and have lunch on your way.

Is Reiki Covered by Insurance?

Many insurance companies don’t cover the cost of Reiki treatments, though some do, according to the International Center for Reiki Training. You may receive coverage if Reiki is part of a treatment plan recommended by your doctor. Check with your insurance provider to find out about the terms of coverage.

How Often Should I Get Reiki Treatment?  

Sometimes one Reiki session is enough to resolve whatever the issue is, and sometimes it takes several sessions. Your Reiki practitioner may be able to give you a better idea of how often you should go, depending on the issue you’d like to address.

You can space out the sessions according to your needs and schedule. The University of Minnesota Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing recommends trying out at least four sessions to evaluate potential benefits of the practice.  Keep in mind though that Reiki is a spiritual practice, and you can receive it as often as you’d like.