The Reiki healing process takes many forms.
In addition to physical healing, the healing process may bring about realizations that can be deeply emotional for the client. It may awaken the client to the need for life-style changes. It may cause the client to embrace values long suppressed. It may result in significant changes in all areas of life as the client progresses on his or her healing journey.
Whatever its path, the healing process may be presaged by an event variously called, a Healing Reaction, Healing Catharsis, or a Healing Crisis. A Healing Reaction (the term I prefer) is the occurrence of physical symptoms following a Reiki treatment or attunement. Reactions can manifest as headache, nausea, cold or flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal upset, mental or emotional upset, or a temporary intensification of the symptoms of a chronic condition or illness. A Healing Reaction indicates that the body is detoxifying in preparation for healing.
Symptoms are more likely to manifest if the client (or student):
has not received healing treatments previously.- suffers from a chronic condition, or a condition that has existed for more than three weeks.
- experiences a chronic high level of stress.
- suffers from post-traumatic stress.
Generally, healing reactions do not last more than a few days but can continue for a week or longer.
My personal experience with Healing Reactions
I experienced a weeklong reaction following my Master attunement. It manifested as extreme fatigue, feeling scattered mentally, and tumultuous emotions. The resulting healing was so profound that a friend remarked I was a “different person” after the Master training. I had gained confidence in my practice of Reiki, and I felt a calm certainty about my purpose and my path as a healer. A similar reaction occurred following my Karuna Reiki® training, bringing about an even deeper healing.
What Mrs. Takata said about Healing Reactions
Takata expected Healing Reactions and welcomed them. She herself experienced severe gastrointestinal upset during her initial weeks of treatment at Dr. Hayashi’s clinic.
Reactions were probably more frequent in Takata’s clients because fewer people had experienced energy work in her time and because she worked with many seriously ill clients. She remarked of one client that he was so ill she had had to give him three treatments before a healing reaction ensued. In one instance she treated a person incapacitated by untreatable epileptic seizures. The seizures became more frequent and more severe for a time after Reiki treatments began; however, Takata reported that the client was ultimately cured after months of receiving Reiki treatments at frequent intervals.*
What I tell clients about Healing Reactions:
Healing reactions occur infrequently in my practice of Reiki; however, I always make clients aware of the possibility. I include the following statement in a self-care handout I provide clients following their initial treatment:
Note: After a Reiki treatment you may experience symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, or emotional upset. This is sometimes called a Healing Reaction and is usually an indication that the body is detoxifying itself in preparation for healing. It is also an indication that more Reiki is needed. Should a reaction occur, drink plenty of water, get lots of rest, and generally be kind to yourself. Such symptoms happen infrequently and typically dissipate within a few days. Please call me if you have questions or concerns.
Within 24 hours of an initial treatment, I followup with a call or email to the client. This gives the client an opportunity to express concerns and me the opportunity to address them.
*Reiki is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment.
©2007, 2014 Marianne Streich, Reiki for Living, All Rights Reserved. For re-posting permission, contact Marianne.
Marianne is a Seattle-Area Reiki teacher and practitioner. She is the author of Reiki, A Guide for the Practice of Levels I and II and a former editor, contributor, and columnist for Reiki News Magazine (2004-2010). See her current class schedule.
Hi Marianne,
My name is Carmel and I am a Reiki Practitioner and just got my Master attunement.
Recently I did a distant Reiki session for a friend of mine. Well, I wasn’t sure if this was because of the treatment but my friend got a very adverse reaction. He has been throwing up since then and it has been seven days now. I am actually very concerned. He is more miserable than he has ever been before. He has been to the Dr and emergency room but the Dr’s don’t know what it is. My question is, is there anything I can do to alleviate this healing reaction or should I take a break?
Blessings***,
Carmel
Hi Carmel,
If this is a healing reaction, it is an extreme one; however, certainly not unheard of. Mrs. Takata expected strong healing reactions as an indication that strong healing was taking place. Your friend’s symptoms also may not relate at all to the Reiki treatment you gave him, but simply be coincidental to the treatment. In either case, Mrs. Takata would recommend giving him Reiki daily until symptoms subside. Sending Reiki distantly may be more practical at this point than hands-on treatment.
My protocol for sending distant healing can be found here: https://reikiforliving.org/services/distant-healing/
It goes without saying that he should continue to seek medical advice. May he obtain a correct diagnosis, effective treatment, and complete healing soon!
Warm regards,
Marianne
Hi,
I’m experiencing nausea after practicing reiki on my partner for an hour.
I cleansed my hands over fire and lit palo santos stick around my entire body; am drinking lots of water and eating light foods.
I’m assuming I absorbed his energy. What can I do to protect myself in the future?
Hi Melissa, There are a number of ways to protect yourself prior to and following a Reiki session to prevent taking on or releasing energy you have taken on. It may be helpful for you to read my blog, Sound Reiki: My Path as a Reiki Empath. This post and the references at the end may shed light on your experience and give you tools for further exploration. Treating yourself is an excellent response to taking on energy from another person during a Reiki session. Self-treatment is important on an ongoing basis for your own well-being, but especially when you are treating others. Kenyoku (dry bathing), is also an effective technique for clearing your own energy prior to and after giving a session. I teach other techniques in my classes and include them in my manual, which is available on the products page of my website. Best wishes to you on your Reiki journey! Marianne
Hello,
I recently had a reiki cleansing and right afterwards I started experiencing severe migraines. It’s been about a week and I still have headaches all day. Is this normal?
Hi Kelvin, no this is not normal. I hope the headaches have abated by now and that you have consulted your physician. In 22 years of practice, I have never had a client to report a similar experience. Clients have reported a temporary cessation of migraines following a Reiki session and Reiki can relieve a migraine in progress. Healing reactions may include headache, but these are typically not severe and are short in duration. Because there is no licensing or national or international standard of practice for Reiki practitioners, it is impossible for me to know exactly what kind of treatment you received; however, Reiki is always accomplished through gentle touch; there is no muscle manipulation nor any other kind of physical adjustment to the body during a session. This leads me to speculate that the migraines are probably unrelated to the Reiki session and their onset was coincidental. In any case, you should consult a qualified healthcare professional. May you be well, Marianne
Hello,
I experienced a very sharp muscle tightness near my right shoulder blade the morning after having my first Reiki session. It was concerning as my whole right shoulder had this sharp pain unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before and I hadn’t had any physical movements those days before the session.
Is this a normal part of the healing process? I did some soft stretching, breathing, and had my partner massage the area to loosen it a bit. It seemed to have helped to no longer have this sharp pain (while a dull muscle ache is still there). Also just feeling overall very fatigued following the session.
Thanks for your insight.
Hi Rachael,
It is not uncommon to feel fatigued following a Reiki session. Your body is asking you for rest as it goes through the healing process initiated by the movement of energy during your Reiki session. The pain in your shoulder is not a “normal” part of the healing process. It may have been connected to the session—it could be a response to something mental/emotional/physical brought up by the movement of energy, or it may have been totally unrelated. If discomfort continues, you may want to consider having a massage. Every Reiki session is different because the energy is responding to where you are mentally/emotionally/physically/spiritually at the time of the session. This is true whether you have 12 sessions with the same practitioner or 12 sessions with 12 different practitioners. You may feel fatigued after one session and energized after another, for instance. I provide clients with a handout giving suggestions for getting the most from the session. Much of that information is given in another blog post you may want to check out. https://reikiforliving.org/sound-reiki-how-to-get-your-moneys-worth-from-a-reiki-session/
Best to you, Marianne
Hi there,
I had a reki session yesterday and I am feeling uneasy, very spaced out and nausea is this normal and what can I do to make this pass as its causing me a lot of distress.
Hi Clara,
It is not uncommon to feel unsettled after a Reiki session during which a significant movement of energy has occurred. Keep yourself well-hydrated, get plenty of rest, and when you feel like eating, eat easily digestible foods and/or sip healthy liquids such as broth. Healing reaction symptoms typically pass within a few days. If they persist, see your physician, as they may be unrelated to the Reiki session. Reiki can cause strong physical and emotional reactions, but it does not cause illness. It may be helpful to read my blog, https://reikiforliving.org/self-care-after-a-reiki-session/. It gives suggestions for self care following a session which support the healing process. Additional Reiki sessions will be helpful. Healing reactions do not always follow a Reik session.
May you be well,
Marianne
Hi Marianne,
I have been practicing reiki for a few months now with a reiki master and we have been doing weekly work. I recently uncovered something lodged deep in my throat chakra and every time I send reiki to my throat, I feel things moving and often become nauseated and feel like I need to throw up. Generally when that happens I stop the reiki. For the following few hours I usually burp frequently.
Is this an indication that I should leave this to be dealt with later when more layers have been healed or should I just continue, let myself throw up and release whatever it is inside of me?
Thanks for your help,
Lila
Hi Lila,
It is difficult to assess your situation without knowing what kind of Reiki training you are receiving and how this might relate to your experience. I wonder if you might be too focused on making healing happen. It is important to remember that Reiki never forces healing. It will only heal in a gentle way that which is ready to be healed. My prayer prior to beginning each session asks for the healing of all that is READY to be healed. Not only must the client be ready to accept the healing, but the healing must also be “within divine love and wisdom” for the highest good of the client. My recommendation would be to receive treatment sessions (as opposed to teaching sessions) from your instructor. If your teacher has been trained in the Healing Attunement/Aura Clearing process, this could be useful for removing the energetic cause of the discomfort in your throat. In terms of self-treatment (and treatment of others), it is important to simply allow Reiki to flow, release attachment to outcome, and ask for the healing that serves you best in the moment. Ask that anything you need to know in support of your optimum health be revealed to you.
Best to you on your Reiki journey!
Marianne
Hi there, this is a great thread. Very helpful. However I have a question about some reiki I received tonight. I am very sensitive to energies and the reiki practitioner used very intense energy over my head. It felt like a helmet of energy. As soon as she removed her hands I got a gnarly headache that hasn’t let up. It’s been 4 hours now. What’s going on? It felt like my third eye got hammered or something. Any suggestions would be so appreciated. I know you must be busy. If you happen to get a chance I’d love to hear from you. Thank you,
Dani
Hi Danielle. The “intense” energy you experienced was Reiki responding to the intensity of the energy in your head. It is not uncommon among my clients to experience a high level of intensity at head positions. I may spend 30 minutes or more just on head positions during a session. If you were experiencing a high level of stress, worry, anxiety or a host of other mental scenarios common to the human condition, the energy reflected your level of distress. Sometimes discomfort/pain can manifest as energy is moved. This is usually temporary and simply part of the healing process. Take note of how you feel, or whether you notice a shift in energy after the headache is gone. Should the headache continue for an extended period of time, especially if headaches are uncommon for you, consult your physician as something may be going on that is unrelated to the Reiki session. Best wishes for your good health! Marianne
I am depressed because my hair is thinning bad I have thyroid problems and thedr said I don’t but my blood work say yes my skin is dry too I have had reiki done from the distant healing network my beautiful hair is ugly
Hi Emilia, May you connect with professionals who can provide accurate diagnosis of your health conditions and prescribe effective treatment. Reiki can provide support for you by assisting in reducing stress and anxiety and helping to create a sense of deep relaxation. Best wishes for wisdom, divine guidance, and right action on the part of your healthcare practitioners and for the highest possible outcome for you. Marianne
i have had cancer and now have underacxtive thyroid and low adrenalin production. i recently obtained level 1 Reiki and i do healing routine ebvery night.
for the last couple of weeks i have cold/flu like symptom of a very runny nose.
Not sure if this is toxins ect coming out a a result of the healing
Hi Carl, I trust by now that your cold/flu like symptoms have abated.You probably also know by now whether they were a healing reaction to self-treatment or an actual virus. It sounds as if you have established an excellent Reiki self-treatment routine. As with any beneficial self-care regimen, the greatest benefit from Reiki comes with consistent treatment over time. I’m impressed with your diligence and dedication and hold very best wishes for your highest health and well-being on every level. Marianne
Hello! Thank you for this post 🙂 I sort of briefly fainted, felt really hot and dizzy and threw up right after my level 2 attunement. It scared me initially but as I am progressing in my journey I now think it was a ‘good crisis’?
xo
Hi Vanessa, In twenty years of teaching, I’ve never had a student experience that kind of reaction to an attunement, although I have had students briefly feel faint or lightheaded. What you experienced may have been a strong reaction to the attunement, or it could have been caused by a physical issue unrelated to the attunement itself. In any case, congratulations and best wishes for your journey with Reiki! Marianne
Hi I am reiki second degree healer my client stomach pain and nausea is not going it’s been 15 days it goes and comes back sometimes pain comes back with nausea sometimes only nausea feeling is there. Guide me how to remove this I have done almost everything through healing but it is still there
I apologize, Abhijeet. I thought I had replied to your comment. I hope your issue has been resolved; however, if it has not, I recommend that you see a qualified health care professional who can provide diagnosis and treatment for this condition. Reiki is a wonderful adjunct for other healing practices, but it does not replace medical care when that is indicated. I hold consciousness for wisdom, divine guidance, correct diagnosis, and effective treatment, and for the highest possible outcome for you. Marianne
I have been suffering anxiety and had my first treatment of reki ,i have shred a few tears and have had headaches and a muscle tention over the last 3 days is this normal and will thee pain ease ? I have booked another session in a weeks time is that advisable ?
Hi, Amy, It is not uncommon to feel emotional and to experience physical symptoms after a Reiki session. As I noted in the blog, it is usually an indication the body is detoxifying as it goes through the healing process. Reiki can be a helpful adjunct to psychotherapy and other treatments you may be receiving to relieve anxiety. It supports other modalities and the healing process. The greatest result with Reiki comes with consistent treatment over time. You may benefit from the suggestions in my blog regarding ways of getting the greatest benefit from a Reiki session. Here’s the link: https://reikiforliving.org/self-care-after-a-reiki-session/
Best to you for your highest health and well-being on all levels,
Marianne
Hi I had a reiki session done done and a couple of hours after, my stomach was making noise like I never heard before, and the pain in my stomach was quite intense.
I had a hot bath which eased the symptoms. Should I expect this to come and go or is it just a one off?
Thanks
Hi Lauren, It is not uncommon for pain to intensify before it releases; however, each session is different because the energy is responding to where you are energetically at the time of the session. You may have physical symptoms following another session, although it is unlikely they would be exactly the same, or your experience of the session and after may be entirely different. Please check out my blog for getting your money’s worth out of a Reiki session, which gives suggestions for self-care following a session. Feel free to share the information with your practitioner. If they contact me, I will share a pdf handout I give to clients and students. Here’s the link: https://reikiforliving.org/self-care-after-a-reiki-session/. Best to you, Marianne
Hi Amy, I had my first Reiki treatment today. When she got to my hip area, I had pain where her hands were, I instantly lost my breath and could not catch it. She helped by clearing my diaphragm and then I got the deep breath I’ve been looking for, actually I’ve been trying to catch this deep of a breath for months. As she continued, I had vibrations through my heart area. Later when I got home to eat dinner, the vibrations returned as I ate a food my body doesn’t digest very well. New to this, and hoping you could put some clarity on these fascinating experiences I had today. Thank you for your thoughtful work you share with us.
Hi Carol, It is not uncommon for pain to intensify before it releases or to feel other sensations in your body as your energy stabilizes after a session. Another blog post of mine provides helpful suggestions for self-care following a session. It is best to eat light and certainly avoid foods that are difficult to digest for three days following a session. Read more: https://reikiforliving.org/self-care-after-a-reiki-session/ Best to you, Marianne
Hi
I recently became master. Ever since I am doing distance healing to that person who brought so much harm to me and my family. I experience during treatment that, sometimes I connect him at the soul level. And after doing the session feel like vomitting. Also my room temprature increases and I feel a very sharp heat emitting from my palms. Kindly guide what are these signs’ meaning? Am I on the right track or off track
If you feel ill after giving Reiki, you have taken on the recipient’s energy. It is important to learn ways to protect yourself and to cleanse your own energy during and following Reiki sessions, as needed. A high level of heat coming from your hands (and sometimes filling a practitioner’s entire body) indicates a high level of byosen (distress/disease/imbalance) in the recipient’s body. Such incidents are a common experience for Reiki practitioners. You may want to pause giving Reiki to others and seek out additional training. It sounds as if you may be an empath. It may be helpful to read my blog post, “My Path as a Reiki Empath,” as a starting point for understanding how/why you are taking on the recipient’s energy and how to prevent it. Best wishes to you for your own healing journey and for success in your practice of Reiki. Marianne (I apologize for the delayed reply; I have been on vacation.)
Hi, I was suffering from Acid reflux. I have my 1st degree attunement done 15days back and since then I’m doing the self healing process (21 days to be continued)
During this I have low energy, headache and neck pain till yesterday.
Today my acid reflux symptoms resurfaced and I had chest pain in the morning.
Not sure whether is due the healing process or something else.
Please help.
Congratulations on your self-treatment regimen. Reiki can alleviate pain and support the healing process; however, it is not a substitute for medical care. If you have not already, it would be wise to consult with your health care professional regarding your acid reflux and chest pain symptoms. May you be well, Marianne
Hi Marianne,
My mother in-law has been learning how to do reiki. I’ve let her practice on me before and everything felt fine. Today she just took my hand and did like a mini reiki I suppose and 20 seconds after she finished my nose started bleeding. Is this normal? I don’t usually get nose bleeds and it really freaked me out.
Thank you.
In 20+ years of giving Reiki treatments, I have never experienced anyone who has had a nosebleed following a session of any length. My guess is that it was simply a coincidence. It might be worthwhile to research causes of nosebleed, especially if it has happened more than once. Warm regards, Marianne
Hello, I love all the post here. I will be checking out your manual as well. I love to continue my education through others.
I am a Reiki Master. I have had 2 clients lately that have experienced shoulder pain after I have finished their session. I felt lots of movement and release with both the clients in that area. Would this just mean a release for them? I have never had clients have pain afterwards.
Thank you, Michelle, I’m glad you are finding my posts helpful. In my experience, pain will sometimes occur or intensify as I am working on a particular area. I ask the client if they are willing to be with the pain for a few minutes, and the pain usually subsides in a short while. Release of the pain may be accompanied by an insight the client gains regarding the cause. (A significant release occurs also.) Pain following a session could be a part of the healing process. If it continues, it may be unrelated to the session, or it could mean additional treatments are indicated. I would follow up with the clients again after a few days. Regards, Marianne
Hi,
I am getting my 9 months old daughter healed as she started getting jerks/ spasms in the body which didn’t seem normal. We met the child neurologist and got her EEG done which came out to be normal. As per the research, it’s infantile spasm.
My daughter is a reiki baby. While she was in my abdomen, I got the healing done and feel that she is an exceptional soul. Looking at these jerks, I got scared thinking how can it happen to a baby who is born with reiki. So, I am getting it done again and the reiki master told she has toxins especially around her nervous system.
I am hoping she will overcome this issue with the help of reiki. It’s a distant reiki and she is given in the night and I see that her entire head gets super super warm.
I hope it’s all normal.
Hi Deepika, The body often feels warm during a Reiki session. The warmth coming from the client’s body is an indication that Reiki is needed; warmth from the practitioner’s hands is in response to the area of imbalance in the client’s body. You may want to consider being attuned to Reiki and learning the practice yourself. You can then allow Reiki to flow anytime you are holding your child. Best wishes to both of you for health and well-being on all levels. Marianne
Hi Marianne, I’ve had severe anxiety last summer which gradually subsided until November bit then started having a few restless nights that happened occasionally but not every day and not in a way that I couldn’t sleep at all.
In December I’ve had a Reiki session after which I developed a severe insomnia. I wasn’t able to fall sleep more than 15 mins straight and after 3 weeks I had to start using sleeping pills and anxiety meds just to be able to sleep for a few hours.
My thoughts started to go wild, I was shaking and had very disturbed, vivid dreams.
Since then I didn’t have any session due to fear. The practitioner assured me that Reiki can never be to much and that the symptoms will subside once I let go but it has been 7 months now and it hasn’t passed.
I tried meditation, hiking.. Basically everything that helped before when I had anxiety but the insomnia is not going away and I lost my ability to concentrate and focus even though I am sleeping with the meds.
Hi Ina, I am sorry you have experienced so much distress for such a long time. I hope you have found professional help by now. If not, consider connecting with a good psychotherapist or another mental or medical health care professional. Sometimes Reiki sessions may reveal underlying distress which suggests professional care is indicated. In such instances, best practice for a Reiki practitioner is to recommend or make a referral to an appropriate professional. Reiki is not a substitute for professional medical or mental healthcare.