Most people don’t come to Reiki first. My teacher, who has offered Reiki for many years, says the same: by the time someone books a session, they often already have a whole circle of care. A doctor. A therapist. A massage therapist they love. A yoga class they never miss.
That’s a good thing. Reiki isn’t meant to replace any of it. It’s meant to sit alongside it.
Here’s how I think about Reiki next to the other kinds of care in your life.
Can Reiki replace therapy or medical care?
No.
Reiki is a gentle relaxation practice. It isn’t medical or mental health care, and it doesn’t replace either one. I don’t diagnose, treat, or prescribe anything, and I don’t tell you what something means.
One thing my teacher says out loud to every client, and I’ll say it here too: please don’t stop or change any medication or treatment because of Reiki. If you’re thinking about a change, talk with the person who prescribed it first.
Reiki and therapy
If you have a therapist, I’m glad. Reiki can sit alongside that work.
Therapy and Reiki ask different things of you. Therapy usually involves talking, noticing, and making sense of things with someone trained to help. Reiki asks nothing. You don’t have to explain what happened. You don’t have to find the right words. A few words, or just a name, is enough.
Some people find that pairing helpful. They do the work of talking in therapy, and then have twenty quiet minutes where nothing is asked of them at all.
Should I tell my therapist I’m getting Reiki?
I’d encourage it. It helps the people caring for you see the whole picture. If feelings come up during or after a session, your therapist is a good person to bring them to.
What if I don’t have a therapist?
That’s okay. You don’t need one to book a session.
If something heavy comes up, though, I won’t be the right person to help you through it. I’m not a counselor. My teacher has a gentle question she asks when she’s worried about someone, and I’ve borrowed it: Do you have people to talk to? If the answer is no, or not enough, that’s worth caring for. Your doctor can often help you find a therapist. And if you’re in crisis, call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741.
Reiki and doctors
Reiki is offered in some hospitals and clinics, often by nurses, alongside regular care. It’s never offered instead of it.
Should I tell my doctor about Reiki?
Yes, if you’re comfortable. In my Level 2 class, one of the students was a doctor. They encouraged everyone to tell their doctors about Reiki and anything else they’re trying. Doctors want to know what their patients are doing, and many are more open than people expect.
Can you give me advice about supplements or medications?
No. I’m not a doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or nutritionist. Even a casual comment from me about a vitamin or an herb could be taken as advice, and it isn’t my place. Your doctor or pharmacist is the right person to ask.
Reiki and massage
Many people first meet Reiki on a massage table. Some massage therapists are trained in Reiki and offer it in the last few minutes of a massage. If that’s how you found Reiki, you’re in good company.
Massage and Reiki feel different. Massage works with your muscles through touch and pressure. Reiki is very light: in person, hands rest lightly or hover. In a distance session, there’s no touch at all.
Is distance Reiki a good fit if I don’t like being touched?
It might be. There’s no touch, no room to walk into, and no one watching. You can rest wherever you feel safest. Some people who find touch hard, for any reason, prefer it this way.
Reiki and acupuncture
Acupuncture and Reiki both come from East Asian traditions, and some practitioners work side by side.
Acupuncturists feel differently about combining them. My teacher has worked with one acupuncturist who liked having Reiki given while the needles were in, and another who preferred to keep her treatment on its own. Both are fine. If you see an acupuncturist, ask what they prefer before you book Reiki on the same day.
My teacher also shared a story I think about often. After a major disaster, a clinic offered both talk therapy and quiet ear acupuncture. The acupuncture line was long, and the therapists’ rooms were nearly empty. Many people didn’t want to talk yet. They wanted to sit down and rest.
That’s part of what Reiki offers, too. Sometimes there’s nothing to say yet. You can just rest.
Reiki, yoga, and meditation
Reiki, yoga, and meditation often travel together. The gesture I start my practice with, hands together at the heart, is shared with yoga. The chakras many people associate with Reiki actually come from yoga and older Indian traditions, not from Reiki itself.
But Reiki is different in one way: you don’t have to do anything.
Some people love meditation apps and yoga classes. Others have tried and felt like they were “doing it wrong.” Their mind won’t settle, or sitting still feels impossible. If that’s you, Reiki might feel like a relief. There’s nothing to get right. You can rest, or go about your day. Reiki doesn’t need you to be calm, or still, or paying attention.
Reiki and aromatherapy
My teacher is also an aromatherapist, and some practitioners use scents, soft music, and dim light in their sessions.
In a distance session, you’re in charge of your own space. If a scent you love, a soft blanket, or quiet music helps you settle, you’re welcome to use it. None of it is needed. If you use essential oils, follow the guidance of a trained aromatherapist, since some can irritate skin or aren’t safe around pets or during pregnancy.
How do I know what kind of care I need?
I can’t tell you that, and I’d be wary of any Reiki practitioner who tried.
What I can say is this: if you’re dealing with a health problem, start with a doctor. If you’re carrying something heavy, a therapist can walk with you through it. If you want twenty quiet minutes where you’re held in someone’s care and nothing is asked of you, that’s what I offer. Many people have room for all of it.
Common questions
Can Reiki replace therapy? No. It can sit alongside therapy, but it can’t stand in for it.
Can I have Reiki on the same day as a massage or acupuncture? Yes. Many people do. If you’re seeing an acupuncturist, it’s kind to ask what they prefer.
Will Reiki interfere with my medication? Reiki doesn’t involve taking anything. Please keep taking your medication as prescribed, and talk with your doctor before making any change.
Is Reiki the same as energy healing? Reiki is one of many practices that people group under “energy work.” Each has its own history and teachers. I practice Usui Reiki, at Level 2.
What if I’m in crisis? Reiki isn’t the right support for a crisis. Call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741. Both are free and open 24 hours a day.