Debunking Common Reiki Myths: The Truth You Need to Know

There are several common myths and misconceptions about Reiki. The problem with believing them is that you might miss out on experiencing an energy that is rooted in divine love and available to everyone. Let’s set the record straight and clear up some of the most common Reiki myths.

Myth #1: Reiki is tied to a specific religion

The truth is, Reiki is a spiritual healing practice but not a religion. It was brought to our modern world by Dr. Mikao Usui, who studied several spiritual traditions, including Tendai Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and Shinto. However, Reiki itself is not religious. It works with energy, not doctrine, which means it can benefit anyone, regardless of their personal beliefs.

Myth #2: You must believe in Reiki for it to work

Reiki works whether you believe in it or not. It’s the movement of energy, just like acupuncture or reflexology. While having an open mind can enhance the experience, the energy still flows no matter what.

I’ve had people on my Reiki table who were skeptics. They didn’t "feel" anything during the session, but when I asked how they felt afterward, they took a moment, checked in with their body, and then said, “Oh, I feel really relaxed!” That’s Reiki doing its work, whether they were consciously aware of it or not.

Myth #3: Reiki practitioners use their own energy to heal

Reiki practitioners don’t deplete their personal energy when giving Reiki. Instead, they act as a channel for universal life force energy. Because of this, Reiki does not take energy from the practitioner. In fact, many practitioners feel refreshed or even energized after a session.

That being said, some practitioners do find they have a personal limit on how many sessions they can do in a day. For me, that limit is three.

Myth #4: Reiki is only for physical healing

Nope! Reiki works on all levels—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It can help with sleep, stress reduction, emotional release, inner dialogue, and energetic balance, in addition to supporting the body’s natural healing process.

About 80% of my clients fall into some level of sleep during a session because they reach such a deep state of relaxation. When they wake up, they often realize that even though they were asleep, they were still doing a lot of internal work.

Myth #5: Reiki can replace medical treatment

Reiki is complementary to medical care. It’s not a replacement. Reiki practitioners do not diagnose medical conditions or offer cures, but Reiki can support recovery, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.

When my husband was undergoing cancer treatments, Reiki helped calm his body. It didn’t cure him, but it made the process easier to handle. Reiki has been shown to help people recover more quickly after medical interventions and to feel more balanced during difficult treatments.

Myth #6: Only Reiki Masters can perform Reiki

Anyone can learn and practice Reiki at any level. Even with the first level—Reiki 1—a person can offer effective healing to themselves and others. As a person moves through additional levels of Reiki (two and three), they gain more tools and techniques, but you don’t have to be a Reiki Master to practice or experience its benefits.

Myth #7: Reiki is just a placebo effect

While belief can enhance any healing practice, Reiki is not just a placebo. It has been studied for its effects on stress reduction, relaxation, and overall well-being.

Children and animals—who don’t have preconceived beliefs about Reiki—have shown clear benefits from Reiki sessions. Many hospitals and healthcare centers also recognize Reiki as a valuable complementary therapy.

By 2021, Reiki had been incorporated into more than 900 hospitals worldwide, including facilities in the U.S., UK, Australia, Ireland, Brazil, and Mexico. Some of the well-known hospitals offering Reiki include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Source

Myth #8: Reiki is only done in person

Reiki is not limited by time or space, which means it can be sent remotely. One of the benefits of remote Reiki is that you can work with a practitioner who truly resonates with you, no matter where they live.

Another advantage is that during a remote session, you can be in your own home, relaxing in bed or on your favorite chair, with your pets nearby. Some clients even prefer remote Reiki because they don’t have to leave their comfort zone. An additional benefit is that their fur babies and curl up beside them and receive the healing as well.

Myth #9: Reiki is hard to learn

Reiki is accessible to everyone and can be learned in a short amount of time. My Reiki 1 class, for example, is a one-day training. In that class, you’ll learn self-healing techniques, basic hands-on methods for helping others, and how to incorporate Reiki into your daily life.

Some people stop at Reiki 1 and feel like they have everything they need, while others continue on to Reiki 2 and 3 for additional tools and techniques. Like anything, the more you practice, the more effective you become. Interested in learning Reiki? Check out my next class here.

Myth #10: You have to feel something for Reiki to work

Some people feel warmth, tingling, or deep relaxation during a Reiki session. Others see colors or have vivid memories, while some don’t feel anything at all. No matter what your experience is, Reiki energy is still flowing.

Think about it this way: You’re reading this on your phone or computer, but you can’t see the energy waves that make it work. That doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Reiki works the same way—it’s happening, whether or not you physically feel it.

Ready to experience Reiki for yourself?

Are you curious about Reiki? Want to book a session? Interested in learning how to practice it yourself? Perhaps you want to have a discovery call to see if we are a fit. You can easily do that.

Visit www.healingwithyvette.com to book your appointment or sign up for an upcoming class.