The Growing Role of Reiki in Hospitals and Integrative Care Settings

Reiki, a form of energy healing that originated in Japan, has gained attention in healthcare for its potential to support patients’ well-being. While it is not a medical treatment, many hospitals and care centers now include Reiki as part of their integrative or complementary care programs. This post explores how Reiki is used in healthcare settings, where it is most commonly offered, and what patients and providers can expect from its inclusion.

Reiki session in a hospital room promoting relaxation and comfort

Reiki in Healthcare: Supportive Care, Not a Cure

Hospitals that offer Reiki do so as a supportive therapy. Reiki sessions aim to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve overall comfort. It is important to understand that Reiki is not used to treat diseases or replace conventional medical care. Instead, it complements treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or pain management.

Patients often report feeling calmer and more at ease after Reiki sessions. This can be especially valuable in settings where anxiety and discomfort are common, such as cancer treatment centers or hospice care. Reiki practitioners use gentle hand placements or hovering hands to channel energy, which some believe helps balance the body’s energy flow.

Where Reiki Is Most Commonly Offered

Reiki has found a place in several types of healthcare facilities, often those focused on holistic or integrative approaches:

• Hospitals

Some hospitals include Reiki in their integrative medicine departments. Patients may access Reiki during hospital stays or outpatient visits to help manage stress and support healing.

• Cancer Centers

Cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally draining. Reiki is offered to help patients cope with side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery by promoting relaxation and emotional balance.

• Hospice and Palliative Care

In end-of-life care, Reiki supports comfort and quality of life. It can ease anxiety and pain, providing gentle care that respects the patient’s dignity.

• Veterans’ Hospitals

Some veterans’ hospitals provide Reiki to address chronic pain, PTSD, and stress-related symptoms. Reiki is part of a broader effort to offer complementary therapies alongside traditional treatments.

• Pain-Management and Wellness Clinics

Reiki is used as a non-invasive approach to help patients manage chronic pain and improve well-being. It is often combined with physical therapy, counseling, and other supportive care.

How Reiki Fits Into Integrative Care Programs

Integrative care programs combine conventional medicine with complementary therapies to treat the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Reiki fits well into this model because it focuses on relaxation and emotional support without interfering with medical treatments.

Healthcare providers who include Reiki often have trained and certified practitioners on staff or collaborate with licensed Reiki professionals. Sessions are typically brief, lasting 20 to 60 minutes, and can be scheduled alongside other treatments.

Patients interested in Reiki should discuss it with their healthcare team to ensure it fits their care plan. Reiki is generally safe and non-invasive, but it should never replace medical advice or treatment.

Evidence and Patient Experiences

Scientific research on Reiki is limited but growing. Some studies suggest Reiki may help reduce anxiety, pain, and fatigue in patients undergoing medical treatments. For example, a 2017 review in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that Reiki showed promise in improving psychological well-being in cancer patients.

Patient testimonials often highlight feelings of deep relaxation, reduced stress, and emotional relief after Reiki sessions. These benefits can improve patients’ overall experience during challenging treatments.

Practical Considerations for Patients and Providers

If you are a patient considering Reiki in a hospital or clinic, here are some tips:

• Ask about credentials

Ensure the Reiki practitioner is certified and experienced in healthcare settings.

• Check with your medical team

Discuss Reiki with your doctors or nurses to coordinate care safely.

• Understand the role of Reiki

Use Reiki as a supportive therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.

• Be open but cautious

Reiki may help with relaxation and emotional support, but results vary.

For healthcare providers, offering Reiki can enhance patient-centered care. It requires training, clear communication, and integration into existing care plans. Providers should monitor patient responses and maintain professional standards.