Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek complementary therapies. Whether it’s chronic pain that has persisted for years, the widespread discomfort of fibromyalgia, or the acute pain following surgery, finding relief becomes a central focus of daily life.
Reiki has increasingly been explored as a supportive approach to pain management. But what does the research actually show? Let’s examine the evidence across different types of pain conditions.
The Growing Body of Research
As of 2024, there are 140 Reiki research papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Four published literature reviews have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to suggest Reiki is more effective than placebo in reducing pain and anxiety.
A 2018 meta-analysis published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice analyzed four randomized controlled studies involving 212 participants. The findings revealed that Reiki caused a statistically significant decrease in pain scores compared to control groups. The researchers concluded that “Reiki was an effective approach in relieving pain.”
Chronic Pain: Encouraging Results
Chronic pain—pain lasting more than three months—affects millions of people and often responds poorly to conventional treatments alone. Research suggests Reiki may offer meaningful support.
Large-Scale Community Study (2025)
The largest Reiki study to date, published in 2025, provided sessions to 1,724 members of high-stress communities in Chicago. The results showed:
- 63.34% reduction in pain following a single ten-minute session
- 72.62% reduction in stress
- Significant effects observed even with brief intervention
Cancer-Related Pain
A 2025 randomized controlled study examined Reiki’s effects on cancer patients. The findings indicated that Reiki was more effective than both sham Reiki and progressive relaxation exercises in reducing pain, anxiety, and stress levels. Notably, the pain reduction effects were sustained long-term.
A meta-analysis of 7 studies on cancer patients concluded that Reiki can decrease pain levels in this population.
Knee Osteoarthritis
A 2024 study specifically examined Reiki’s effects on pain, functional status, and holistic well-being in patients with knee osteoarthritis—a common source of chronic pain in aging adults.
Effect Size Analysis
A systematic review calculating effect sizes across multiple studies found particularly impressive results for pain reduction. Effect sizes ranged from d=0.32 for decreased pain in cancer patients to d=2.08 for decreased pain in community-dwelling older adults—a large effect by statistical standards.
Fibromyalgia: Mixed but Evolving Evidence
Fibromyalgia presents a complex picture in Reiki research, with studies showing conflicting results. This is important to understand for anyone considering Reiki for this condition.
The Conflicting Studies
Study 1 (2008): A rigorous randomized, sham-controlled trial from the University of Washington studied 100 adults with fibromyalgia. Participants received twice-weekly treatments for 8 weeks from either a Reiki master or actor. The conclusion: neither Reiki nor touch improved fibromyalgia symptoms in this particular study design.
Study 2 (2023): A more recent Turkish pain clinic study of 50 patients found different results. After four weekly Reiki sessions:
- Significant pain reduction compared to sham Reiki (p=.012 to .029 across weeks)
- Improved physical function (p=.000)
- Better energy levels (p=.009)
- Enhanced mental health (p=.018)
- Reduced state and trait anxiety
Understanding the Discrepancy
Why such different results? Several factors may explain the variation:
- Standardized vs. individualized treatment: The 2008 study used fixed Reiki positions, while more successful studies often allow practitioners to intuitively address individual needs
- Treatment intensity: Eight weeks may not be sufficient for a complex chronic condition
- Practitioner experience and approach: Study protocols may not capture the full depth of an experienced practitioner’s work
The research suggests that while Reiki may not be universally effective for all fibromyalgia patients, some individuals may experience meaningful benefits—particularly in pain reduction, quality of life, and anxiety levels.
Post-Surgical Pain: Promising Evidence
Surgery creates acute pain that requires effective management for proper recovery. Research on Reiki in post-surgical settings shows encouraging results.
Critical Review Findings
A comprehensive review from UNC Chapel Hill examined five randomized controlled trials involving 238 participants. The findings:
- Four of five studies showed statistically significant decreases in post-operative pain in Reiki groups
- Treatment sessions ranged from 15-30 minutes
- Studies spanned 1-4 days post-surgery
- Number of sessions varied from 1-5
Specific Surgical Studies
Abdominal Surgery: A randomized controlled trial on open abdominal surgery patients found that the Reiki group experienced:
- Decreased surgical fear
- Reduced anxiety
- Lower pain levels
- Increased oxygen saturation
All differences were statistically significant (p<0.005).
Laparoscopic Surgery: Research on patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy found that Reiki decreased pain and increased comfort levels. Interestingly, Reiki was more effective than acupressure in improving patient comfort.
Hospital Integration
Over 55% of integrative medicine clinics across the U.S. now use healing touch or Reiki to assist in treating various conditions, including post-surgical recovery. This growing acceptance reflects the accumulating evidence base.
How Might Reiki Help with Pain?
While the exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, several pathways may explain Reiki’s effects on pain:
Nervous System Regulation
Pain perception is closely tied to nervous system state. Research shows Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system—our “rest and digest” mode—which can reduce the body’s pain signaling.
Stress and Pain Connection
Stress amplifies pain perception. By reducing stress hormones like cortisol, Reiki may indirectly lower pain levels. Studies have demonstrated significant cortisol reductions following Reiki sessions.
Relaxation Response
Deep relaxation reduces muscle tension, which often contributes to chronic pain conditions. The profound relaxation many people experience during Reiki may help break the tension-pain cycle.
Emotional Processing
Chronic pain often carries emotional components—fear, frustration, grief over lost function. Reiki’s ability to support emotional release may help address these layers of the pain experience.
Important Considerations
What the Research Supports
The evidence is strongest for:
- General pain reduction across various conditions
- Cancer-related pain
- Post-surgical pain
- Pain accompanied by anxiety or stress
Where Evidence is Mixed
- Fibromyalgia (some studies show benefit, others don’t)
- Specific chronic pain conditions need more targeted research
What Reiki Is Not
Reiki is a complementary approach, not a replacement for medical care. It works alongside—not instead of—conventional pain management. Always continue working with your healthcare providers.
What Clients Experience
Beyond the research, here’s what people commonly report after Reiki sessions for pain:
- Immediate relief that may last hours to days
- Improved sleep, which supports the body’s natural pain management
- Reduced anxiety about their pain condition
- Increased coping resources for managing ongoing pain
- Sense of empowerment in their healing journey
Results vary by individual. Some people notice dramatic shifts; others experience subtle, cumulative benefits over multiple sessions.
The Bottom Line
The research on Reiki for pain management continues to evolve. Current evidence suggests:
- Meta-analyses confirm Reiki’s effectiveness for reducing pain scores
- Large-scale studies show significant pain reduction even with brief sessions
- Post-surgical research demonstrates consistent benefits
- Fibromyalgia evidence is mixed, though some patients report improvement
- No adverse effects have been reported in studies
For those living with pain—whether chronic, acute, or somewhere in between—Reiki offers a gentle, non-invasive option that may provide relief while supporting overall well-being. As with any complementary approach, individual experiences vary, and the best results often come from integrating multiple supportive practices.
Sources:
- The Effect of Reiki on Pain: A Meta-analysis
- Investigating Perceived Stress and Pain Reduction Following Brief Reiki Sessions (2025)
- The Effect of Reiki Applied to Cancer Patients on Pain, Anxiety, and Stress Levels (2025)
- Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review
- Reiki for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Evaluation of the Impacts of Reiki Touch Therapy on Patients with Fibromyalgia (2023)
- The Effect of Reiki on Anxiety, Fear, Pain, and Oxygen Saturation in Abdominal Surgery Patients
- Use of Reiki for Pain Control in Post-Surgical Patients: A Critical Review
- Current Status of Reiki Research 2024
Living with pain and curious about Reiki? Contact me to ask questions or book a free call to explore if it might help.