7 Situations where Reiki shouldn’t be used (2024)

Lay back, relax, let go of all your troubles and enjoy meditative music, dimmed lights, the sweet and soothing scent of incense and tingling energy flowing through your body. Reiki is a wonderful healing modality, there is no doubt about it. I have been practicing and teaching Reiki for the past eight years and I absolutely love it. Even when I offer complementary treatments at local events for just a few minutes, clients always have a positive experience and are amazed about what they sensed and how much better they felt after merely 5-10 minutes of treatment. So what is Reiki? Reiki is a natural healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing process of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being.

Reiki is truly amazing for all kinds of issues on the physical, mental and emotional level. It can restore balance to the whole body. It is safe to say that there is no downside to Reiki. Or is there? Well, in essence, Reiki can’t hurt you. But there are situations where Reiki should not be administered, because then it could indeed do more harm than good. This has nothing to do with Reiki though, but everything with the person who is supposed to receive it. Let’s look at those situations where Reiki should not be administered.

You should never give a Reiki treatment when you are sick. Reiki always goes where it is needed most and when you, the practitioner, are not feeling well, it will all go to you. This means that your client won’t get much out of their treatment. Don’t feel bad to cancel a session if you are not feeling well. I have no doubt your clients will understand and be grateful to you once they understand the reason for the need to reschedule their session.

You should never give a treatment or distant treatment when you are not sure whether a person is driving or operating heavy machinery. Reiki can relax the recipient so much that he or she may fall asleep. Always make sure that the person you are sending Reiki to, is in a safe place before you begin the distant treatment.

Never send or administer Reiki to a person before the broken bones are set. Reiki will start to work immediately, but it can’t set bones, which could cause the fracture to grow together incorrectly.

Never send Reiki into the body right above a pacemaker. Reiki does not differentiate between a machine and a person. The energy would try to adjust the energy of the pacemaker to the rest of the body and this could have fatal consequences. It is ok though, to administer Reiki above and below the pacemaker. Just not right above it.

Never send Reiki when a person and especially a child is running a fever. The energy can increase the temperature in the body to a dangerous level. When a person has fever, you have to start by drawing energy out of the body until the fever is brought down to a more normal range. Once you have achieved that, you can send Reiki into the body to start the healing process.

Never send Reiki while a person is in surgery. The Reiki energy can interfere with the anesthesia in the body and could cause the patient to wake up too soon. As soon as the surgery is complete you can begin sending Reiki.

Never practice Reiki when either you or your client are intoxicated. Alcohol or drugs can increase the sensation of the energy to an uncomfortable level.

As I have said at the beginning, Reiki is a wonderful and versatile healing modality. It can be practiced as a standalone session or in combination with massage, reflexology or other holistic treatments. Even though in essence it can’t harm you, in some situations you need to be cautious.

First published at The Wellness Universe.

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15 Comments

1. 

   Taylor AbramsDecember 7, 2022 at 11:38 am - Reply

   I love that you talked about how a wonderful and adaptable healing technique is reiki. I’m going to talk to my best buddy about this. She had been grieving the loss of her husband, who passed away suddenly from a heart attack, for several months. She needs to get better as soon as possible for her kids. She can explore remote Reiki sessions with my assistance.

2. 

   TeriApril 10, 2023 at 2:18 am - Reply

   Is Reiki similar to hypnosis?

   See Also

   What to Expect During a Reiki Treatment

   • 

     Sandra CoozeApril 18, 2023 at 8:55 am - Reply

     Hi Teri, No, Reiki and Hypnosis are two completely different things. Reiki is a holistic healing modality, meaning it can help balance the energy within your body and with that help release physical, mental, and emotional pain, heal illness and disease, release depression, anxiety, and PTSD, and much more. I call it a massage for the soul, as it has so many benefits, especially when treatments are given regularly. Hypnoses in itself can bring healing, too, but unlike Reiki, the hypnotist focuses on sending suggestions to the brain to bring change. I hope this answers your question. Both approaches can be very helpful to achieve health and well-being. However, in order to be successful, we have to be open to them. 🙂

3. 

   CaronJune 14, 2023 at 6:00 am - Reply

   How to use reiki with someone undergoing kemo therapy treatments for breast cancer. I have been attuned as Reiki master

   • 

     Sandra CoozeAugust 15, 2023 at 12:17 pm - Reply

     Hi Caron, it is so nice to hear from a fellow Reiki Master. Yes, Reiki for chemo therapy is an important subject. Thank you for reminding me of that. I will write a post about it.

4. 

   MiaAugust 3, 2023 at 11:36 am - Reply

   Can you recommend a Reiki Master/practitioner in the San Antonio, Texas area?

   • 

     Sandra CoozeAugust 15, 2023 at 12:16 pm - Reply

     Hi Mia, thank you so much for asking this question, Unfortunately, I am not connected with any Reiki Masters/Practitioners in Texas. However, since I have been receiving similar questions, I have decided to write a post about how to find the perfect reiki practitioner for your needs. In the meantime, If you are open to exploring Reiki over distance, I would love to work with you.

   • 

     JohnNovember 15, 2023 at 9:13 am - Reply

     Good Morning Mia,

     My name is John Tease and I’ve recently been certified as a Level 3 Reiki Master/Trainer. I’m in the San Antonio Area (specifically Seguin). Just on a whim I came across your post, so I believe we were meant to cross paths. I’d love the opportunity to speak with you about Reiki. And if for whatever reason you feel we’re not a good fit, I have several recommendations for you. The goal is for you to be comfortable and receptive to receiving Reiki as to fully reap the benefits of its loving, healing energy. Feel free to email me at [email protected]. Good luck on your quest! Namaste 🙏🏽✨🙌🏽

5. 

   Lily BridgersOctober 12, 2023 at 9:32 am - Reply

   It’s so sad that I’ve been dealing with chronic pain and discomfort, and I’ve heard about the potential benefits of online Reiki energy healing treatments. That made me curious to see if this holistic approach can provide some relief and help me regain a sense of balance and wellness. Thanks for telling me though to always make sure the person you are sending Reiki to is in a secure area before you start the distance treatment since Reiki can calm the recipient so much that he or she may fall asleep.

   • 

     Sandra CoozeOctober 12, 2023 at 1:44 pm - Reply

     Hi Lily,
     I am so glad my article resonated with you. Yes, Reiki is a wonderful support to relieve chronic pain. I offer Reiki both in person and over distance and have been for many years with wonderful results. Everyone experiences Reiki differently. Some fall asleep almost instantly, and others are fully alert throughout the session. I wish you the best of luck in your journey and I do hope that you will give Reiki a try.

6. 

   Denise HoskingDecember 11, 2023 at 6:23 pm - Reply

   Is Reiki helpful for a teenager with post viral chronic fatigue and how do you find a Reiki master in your area?

7. 

   MinnieAugust 3, 2024 at 1:04 pm - Reply

   Please recommend a reiki Master/Practitioner in or around Oak park and elmwood park. il. Thank you.

   • 

     Sandra CoozeAugust 26, 2024 at 8:30 am - Reply

     Hi Minnie, unfortunately I do not know any Reiki Practitioners in Oak Park, IL. However, if you are open to experiencing Reiki over distance, please feel free to book a session. https://riseaboveyourstory.simplybook.me/v2/

8. 

   J PetersonAugust 10, 2024 at 3:08 pm - Reply

   Have you ever treated or delt with someone who suffers from vertigo attacks?

   • 

     Sandra CoozeAugust 26, 2024 at 8:28 am - Reply

     Hi J., unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to work with someone who experiences vertigo. However, the body is self healing and given the right environment it is able to heal anything. If you would like to give Reiki a try to help with your vertigo, please feel free to book a session. https://riseaboveyourstory.simplybook.me/v2/