It’s often repeated that Reiki can do no harm, only good. But is that completely factual? Let’s explore this often misunderstood idea about Reiki.
Sometimes in our eagerness to share the joys, wonders and benefits of Reiki, we forget that it can be an intense and deeply purifying experience. The Reiki energy moving through the body can feel very intense, particularly as it opens blockages during the session, or rebalances an area that has an excess of energy. The healing crisis, while typically very mild, can be strong, uncomfortable, and even somewhat alarming for some. It’s important to discuss the possibility of a healing crisis with our clients and help them through any difficulties they may have during or after a session.
Reiki does appear to have no harmful or lasting side effects. Even the scientific research that has been done has found no harm. However, there are occasional reports of people who had very strong reactions during a Reiki treatment. These can be anything from feeling extremely overwhelmed physically or neurologically, to having a seizure. People who are especially sensitive and open to energy are the most likely to have an extreme reaction. However, they also typically benefit the most from well grounded, sensitively administered Reiki treatment.
Groups that tend to be the most sensitive to Reiki are those who have a neurological condition, autism, or a mental health imbalance. It is usually a good idea with clients who have an upper chakra imbalance to begin the session at their feet. People with neurological conditions, autism, and mental health issues typically have an excess of energy at the head and the added energy can be overstimulating. Starting at the feet draws balanced energy into the lower body, grounding some of the energy from the head. This is helpful to bring balance to them and it avoids the issue of an overload of energy.
Image by cocoparisienne
Other groups to treat with care are those who cannot speak for themselves, such as those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, babies, and animals. It’s very important with these groups to have a “feel” that the client is receptive to the energy as you begin treatment. It is especially important with non-verbal clients to maintain awareness during the treatment and stop if the client seems to be uncomfortable or no longer receptive. Seal their aura and end the session, even if you’ve only done a few minutes. Never assume that just because someone is non-verbal that they don’t know what they can handle energetically. Their energy knows, so listen to the signals.
With animals, always ask their permission by showing them what Reiki is and allowing them to indicate if they want it or not. They are quite capable of knowing if it is right for them and just how much they need at that time. Follow their lead. In particular, never direct the flow of energy to a caged animal unless the animal is receptive, no matter how much you believe she needs it. It is far better to simply sit in compassionate meditation nearby the animal, offering lovingkindness.
While a reaction during or after a Reiki treatment is almost always a sign that energy is unblocking, it can still be quite uncomfortable, even painful. Things such as seizures, while quite rare during a Reiki treatment, can be avoided by treating those with neurological conditions and other upper chakras conditions feet first.
There has never been a report of a lasting reaction to Reiki, either during a session or from a healing crisis, however, it can feel traumatizing to someone if they are overcome with energy or discomfort. It is important to avoid this by offering clear counseling regarding what to expect during and after treatment. Always advise the client to let you know if any part of the treatment feels uncomfortable so you can move on or stop. Use awareness during a session to tune into your client’s needs, especially if they are non-verbal. Their comfort is your primary concern. Healing is most likely to occur when a client is relaxed and at ease, so help to create this by being open and attuned to them.
Reiki seems to be unlikely to do harm, though it can certainly cause extreme effects in certain cases. Care should be taken to inform and respond to the needs of all our clients in order to adjust treatment as needed to assure they receive the greatest benefit.
Article by Angie Webster
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Angie Webster made a significant contribution to the Reiki community, with a particular focus on Animal Reiki, which she had a deep affection for. As a knowledgeable Reiki Master Teacher and Author, she conducted online courses on energy healing, herbalism, flower essences, and personal growth.
She is the author of “Animal Reiki: How it Heals, Teaches & Reconnects Us with Nature” and “Reiki from A to Z”. Currently, Angie has decided to retire from her professional life to devote more time to her health, family, and the little joys of life.
Practical and sincere as as always! Thanks
Hi Angie, nice article with a different approach, but I sincerely believe that Reiki do no harm.
As we all know Reiki is a form of Energy, and as a Reiki Channel we should know how to deal with this Energy.
We should consider the situations in which we are applying Reiki and what can be its consequences.
I think its more important to all Reiki Channels to have a proper understanding of this great Healing Energy, and then treat a person, and as you said rightly, counseling must be done.
I like your tips on how to treat non- verbal clients, nice one and thanks.
Love, Light & Reiki
Thank you, Angie! <3
Can this be true for those attuned to reiki? Ever since the completion of level 2, my anxiety has kicked up and is very uncomfortable! What can you recommend? Thank you!
I am so very new and have am not atuned as of yet since I cant seem to find some one near me to go to but I have been trying to research all I can my question is that I have seen on some of the research that if the patient has a device like pace maker or pain stimulator that they can not be able to participate can you please give me your feelings on this thank you so much for your understanding
How to improve reiki energy
Daily practice imprives your energy…
Do 24 points or atleast take reiki on seven chakras
Wonderful article. A couple of ideas that might help is with the hands resting on the shoulders do the distance symbol and connect with the inner healer for more information. Thanks other idea is to take a page out of our bigger brother shaman and do a shape shift. By imagining your essence under the palm of one hand and the essence of your client under the other hand 🖐. Or try them boath. Remember free will ask for the highest good and connect with your guides.
Still would say it does no harm whatsoever
I have an interesting point of view that was brought to light by an extremely experienced shaman who’s grandfather was a shaman and this was his path he was born into, he is from the arctic, and was bang on with my clearing. He didn’t say reiki was harmful, but he said (of course it depends on the practitioner) that he has experienced that sometimes the energy of PREVIOUS clients was not properly ‘dealt with’ and was in the room still, and so when the next client came in and had a wonderful reiki session, what could occur was that as soon as they got off the table, they basically walked into the previous clients’ energies and that could be why that person didn’t feel good once they got home. Just something to be aware of. He suggested having a glass of water in the room and programming the water to absorb the energy, and specifically I believe he was referring to a room that didn’t have any windows, which is very common. Off topic, but potentially relevant?
I am a Reiki Master I I know Reiki Heals and Can not Hurt
i have A Iregerler Cornina In My Right Eye are you impling that is becouse i am a Usui Scichem Reiki Master
Very interesting and thoughtful article. I am attuned but consider myself a novice so I am a little confused. I was of the impression that reiki energy will go where it is needed and that the practitioner is not a healer but a channel. I was also taught the importance of grounding one’s self before passing reiki and of both the practitioner and client drinking water afterwards. Nevertheless I understand the need for sensitivity to discomfort either the client’s or the practitioner’s. My first time passing reiki to my granddog, he leapt away from me after a few seconds and kept his distance eyeing me warily. Since then I have learned not to touch him but to keep my hands a reasonable distance away. This he tolerates and will just quietly move off when he’s had enough. In the case of human clients I am now feeling uncertain about how or if to judge when they have had enough.
Having worked with many clients who have health issues in the upper chakra, we have to be careful about how we think of energy and what we verbally convey to someone who is coming for reiki therapy.
While Reiki can do no harm, there are, as the OP has pointed out, times when the Reiki treatment feels intense, and the client might be uncomfortable, or feel unease. I’ve often had clients develop headaches, or stomach aches during a session, but shifting my hands away will usually minimize this temporary discomfort.
However, if we have a client who might have mental health issues, or autism, and we do not know that, the innate intelligence of the Reiki energy will do exactly what it needs to do. So for the OP to suggest that the Reiki Energy will overload their upper chakras, is a bit misleading. Reiki Energy will pass through the chakra of the area we are ‘hovering’ over, and go to the most needed place. And if there is an overabundance of upper chakra energy, it will ameliorate the imbalance by not overstocking it with energy.
So I ask newcomers to Reiki to truly understand that wherever our hands are, the Energy will do exactly what is right for the client, and there is no such thing as the Reiki energy being ‘overly’ abundant when we are working with the intention to amplify the innate connection that the client already has to Universal Life Force Energy.
Respectful of this dialogue,
Michelyne Callan
Reiki Master Teacher (Usui Shiki Ryoho) 2009
Certified Counsellor (UCB, Canada 2006)