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Distant Reiki: A comprehensive overview of its impact on the well-being and health of humans and animals

Writer's picture: M.V. Claudia BarbieriM.V. Claudia Barbieri

As we move into the third millennium, it is becoming increasingly urgent to discuss topics that, despite their relevance, are still little understood by most people, including health care professionals. Among these topics, distant Reiki stands out as a highly effective therapeutic practice, but because it is relatively unknown, it still arouses doubts and resistance. In this context, this first article of 2025 aims to provide a more in-depth overview of distant Reiki, explaining its principles and the evidence that supports its effectiveness. The intention is to clarify the main issues related to this practice, broadening understanding of it and promoting greater acceptance, both by the general public and the medical community.


Reiki is a Japanese technique that provides relaxation and stress reduction, awakening the body's capacity for self-healing, and can be applied in person or remotely. The latter is an increasingly popular form of therapy that aims to promote healing and well-being through the transfer of energy, regardless of time and space. Although many people still have doubts about the effectiveness of this practice, there are several scientific studies proving its effectiveness. Between 2023 and 2024, at least seven new scientific studies on distant Reiki were published and we will discuss some of them in this article. But first, let's explain a few concepts to make it easier to understand...


What is the “energy field”?

We know that the body is not just made up of physical matter, but also contains an energy field that vibrates at different frequencies. This energy body includes layers such as the etheric, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies, each with its own distinct role in maintaining physical and emotional balance. The energy body absorbs, processes and distributes energy throughout the body, affecting overall health and well-being. Based on the understanding that all beings have an energy body, healing energy can be sent across distances to restore balance to a person or animal's energy field.


Recent studies have explored the effectiveness of distant Reiki in various contexts, including pain reduction, fatigue and stress management, suggesting promising results, making this practice gain increasing attention for its potential to relieve various physical, emotional and psychological symptoms in a variety of health conditions.


How does it work?

It's much simpler than it sounds...if you doubt that energy can be sent over distances, have you ever wondered how electromagnetic waves and wi-fi cross borders? What about sound? Can you see sound waves propagating through space? Energy has no physical barriers...what's more, in distant Reiki sessions, practitioners use specific symbols, including the “distant Reiki symbol”, to send healing energy across time and space. This symbol, central to the practice, allows Reiki practitioners to work beyond physical proximity and connect with the recipient's energy field. By invoking these symbols, the practitioner can unblock the recipient's energy field, treating imbalances that can manifest as emotional or physical symptoms. Distant Reiki is based on the principle that all beings are interconnected within the greater universe, and healing energy can transcend time and space to influence the well-being and health of people and animals.


The impact of distance Reiki on health and well-being

Recent research has explored the benefits of distant Reiki for individuals facing various health challenges, including chronic illness, pain, stress and anxiety. A study conducted at a hospital in Turkey in 2015 investigated the effect of distant Reiki on cancer patients, comparing the experiences of a control group that received standard care with an intervention group that received five 30-minute distant Reiki sessions. The results indicated significant reductions in pain, stress and fatigue for those in the Reiki group. This is in line with the results of previous studies, suggesting that Reiki can help manage common symptoms such as pain, anxiety and fatigue, thus improving the overall quality of life of these patients.


In 2024, another study with 180 healthy individuals, also held in Turkey, showed that distant Reiki improved general well-being and mood, reducing sadness and improving participants' vitality. Participants who received four consecutive 20-minute sessions of distance Reiki showed statistically significant improvements in their well-being, as measured by various scales that assess mood and vitality. These results suggest that Reiki can have a deep impact on emotional and physical health, even in individuals without acute or chronic medical conditions.


A systematic review of distant healing practices, which was not specific but included distant Reiki, was conducted to evaluate their effectiveness in treating medical conditions. The review included 23 studies with a total of 2,774 participants, and the results indicated that approximately 57% of these studies showed statistically significant positive effects to distance healing interventions. Although some studies did not show significant effects, the overall evidence supports the benefits of distance healing therapies such as Reiki. These findings suggest that distant healing methods are promising as complements to traditional medical treatments.


A British study carried out in 2023 evaluated the impact of distant Reiki on healthcare professionals exposed to stressful situations. Participants booked 4 distance Reiki sessions of 20 minutes each, held on 4 consecutive days, outside of working hours. Before and after the sessions, participants assessed levels of stress, anxiety, pain, well-being and sleep quality using numerical scales. The study included 79 healthcare professionals, 40 of whom completed the post-intervention assessment. The majority of participants were female, with an average age of 43.9 years. Analysis of the data showed significant reductions in levels of stress, anxiety and pain, as well as increases in participants' well-being and quality of sleep. The results suggest that distant Reiki can improve various aspects of the health and well-being of professionals in stressful environments.


Finally, a study published in 2022 investigated the use of distant Reiki as a healing modality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research measured stress and anxiety before and after distance Reiki sessions and the results showed significant reductions in both variables. Participants reported a transformative experience in their well-being, suggesting that distant Reiki can provide positive and sustainable changes in mental health. The study highlights the importance of distance healing modalities to promote well-being, self-care and reflection, especially in times of crisis.


Applications and benefits of distant Reiki

In the same way as in-person Reiki sessions, distant sessions offer a number of benefits in different situations such as:

  • Pain reduction

  • Relief from Stress and Anxiety

  • Combats fatigue

  • Improves sleep

  • Improves physical and emotional well-being

  • Reduces inflammation

  • Accelerates recovery after surgery

  • Accelerating recovery from injuries, wounds and fractures

  • Palliative care and end-of-life support


Importance of Reiki at a Distance in Veterinary Medicine

Although all these studies were conducted on humans, they can also be applied to veterinary medicine. I recently conducted a research study on the impact of remote Reiki on the health and well-being of elderly dogs, which is due to be published soon, and I can tell you that the results are quite interesting, despite the limitations inherent in this type of study. So far, this seems to be the first study of its kind in the veterinary field, but others will follow in the near future.

Despite the scarcity of studies of this kind in the veterinary field, we know that just as for humans, distant Reiki has proved to be an effective tool in the veterinary field, offering significant benefits for animals. Distant Reiki allows practitioners to connect with animals even if they are not physically present, which is a significant advantage, especially when animals are hospitalized, in clinics or in hard-to-reach places. In addition, this modality puts the animals at ease, as many are uncomfortable with human presence.


By applying Reiki remotely, it is possible to reduce animals' anxiety and stress levels, facilitate post-surgical recovery, improve general well-being and even help manage chronic pain, among many other benefits. In addition, Reiki can be useful in situations of animal loss or bereavement, helping to ease the emotional suffering of animals and their guardians. The practice of Reiki offers veterinary health professionals a complementary approach to improving the quality of life of animals and aiding recovery from illness and injury, as well as providing emotional support for veterinarians themselves in the challenges they face in their clinical routine.


Conclusion

Distant Reiki presents a promising complementary therapy for improving the physical, emotional and mental health of people and animals. Whether used to reduce pain, relieve stress or improve general well-being, Reiki's ability to act across time and space makes it a very effective treatment modality for those seeking holistic and integrative therapies.


References:

  1. Dyer, N. L. et al. Evaluation of a Distance Reiki Program for Frontline Healthcare Workers’ Health-Related Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, June, 2023, Volume 12: 1–11.

  2. Yüce, U O, et al. The Effect of Distant Reiki Sessions on Holistic Well-Being. Holist Nurs Pract2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):50-57. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000557.

  3. DiBenedetto, J. et al. Experiences With a Distant Reiki Intervention During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Science of Unitary Human Beings Framework. Advances in Nursing Science Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. E145–E160

  4. Demir, M et al. Effects of Distant Reiki On Pain, Anxiety and Fatigue in Oncology Patients in Turkey: A Pilot Study. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, Vol 16, 2015.

  5. Astin, JA. The efficacy of "distant healing": a systematic review of randomized trials. Ann Intern Med. 2000 Jun 6;132(11):903-10.


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