Chronic pain changes everything. It changes how you move through your day, how you sleep, how you interact with people you love, how you think about your future. If you live in New York City, you already navigate a physically demanding environment. You walk more than residents of most American cities. You climb subway stairs. You stand on crowded trains. You carry groceries up walk-up stairs. When chronic pain enters this picture, the city that never sleeps becomes a city that never stops hurting.
Reiki enters this picture as a complementary approach. Not a cure, not a replacement for medical care, but one potential tool in a larger pain management strategy. The research is limited but growing. The theories are plausible but unproven. The experiences reported by clients are encouraging but subjective.
A Filter Before You Continue
Consider Reiki if: Your pain has a stress or tension component. You have tried conventional treatments with incomplete relief. You respond well to relaxation-based approaches. You are looking for low-risk additions to your pain management toolkit. You can afford 3-6 sessions to properly evaluate.
Reiki is probably not your first step if: You have not yet seen a doctor for diagnosis. Your pain is acute and new. You are looking for a cure rather than a coping tool. You cannot commit to multiple sessions for fair evaluation.
Reiki is not appropriate if: You expect it to replace medical treatment. You plan to stop medication based on session results without consulting your doctor.
The Scale of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting three months or longer. By this definition, approximately 51.6 million American adults live with chronic pain, representing about 20.9% of the adult population. Of these, 17.1 million experience high-impact chronic pain that substantially limits daily activities. These figures come from the CDC’s analysis of 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey data.
The types of chronic pain people experience vary widely. The most common include back pain, which affects approximately 10.1% of adults with chronic pain conditions, followed by hip, knee, or foot pain. Headaches, including migraines, affect about 3.5%. Many people experience multiple pain conditions simultaneously, and over 67% of those with chronic pain also have a diagnosed mental health condition such as depression or anxiety.
| Pain Type | Approximate Prevalence |
|---|---|
| Regional pain | 11.1% |
| Back pain | 10.1% |
| Leg and foot pain | 7.1% |
| Arm and hand pain | 4.1% |
| Headache | 3.5% |
| Widespread chronic pain | 3.6% |
Source: NCBI StatPearls, 2025
The economic burden exceeds $500 billion annually in the United States when combining direct medical costs with lost productivity. This figure surpasses the costs associated with cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Chronic pain is not a minor inconvenience. It is a major public health challenge.
Why People Seek Alternatives
The conventional approach to chronic pain has centered heavily on pharmaceutical intervention. This approach has significant limitations. Opioid medications, while effective for acute pain, carry risks of dependence and have contributed to a devastating public health crisis. Non-opioid medications like NSAIDs have their own risks, particularly with long-term use. Even when medications work, many people experience incomplete relief or side effects that reduce quality of life.
This reality drives millions of Americans toward complementary approaches. People with chronic pain often try multiple interventions, conventional and alternative, searching for combinations that provide meaningful relief. Reiki enters this picture as one of many options people explore, typically after conventional treatments have provided insufficient results.
Reiki appeals to pain sufferers for several reasons. The practice is non-invasive. It has no known negative interactions with medications. Sessions are typically relaxing regardless of their effect on pain. There is no recovery time needed afterward. For someone exhausted by pain and wary of adding another pharmaceutical to their regimen, these qualities matter.
How Might Reiki Affect Pain?
We do not know with certainty how or whether Reiki affects pain at a physiological level. Several theories exist, each with varying degrees of scientific support.
The Relaxation Response
Relaxation offers the most straightforward explanation. Chronic pain creates a cycle where pain triggers muscle tension and stress, which amplifies pain, which increases tension and stress. This cycle involves the autonomic nervous system, specifically the balance between sympathetic activation, your fight-or-flight response, and parasympathetic activation, your rest-and-digest response.
Chronic pain tends to keep people in a state of sympathetic dominance. The body remains on alert. Muscles stay tense. Stress hormones circulate at elevated levels. This state itself contributes to pain perception and can lower pain thresholds.
Reiki sessions, whatever their mechanism, tend to induce relaxation in most recipients. This relaxation can shift the nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance. Muscle tension decreases. Stress hormone levels may drop. The body enters a state more conducive to healing and recovery. This alone could provide temporary pain relief without any specific “energy healing” effect.
Gate Control Theory
A more specific mechanism involves gate control theory, proposed by Melzack and Wall in 1965 and still influential in pain science today. The theory suggests that the spinal cord contains neural “gates” that can either allow pain signals to pass to the brain or block them. These gates are influenced by competing sensory input.
When you stub your toe and instinctively rub it, you are applying gate control theory. The sensation of touch activates different nerve fibers than those carrying pain signals. These touch signals can effectively close the gate to pain signals, reducing pain perception.
During a Reiki session, the practitioner’s hands either touch the body lightly or hover just above it. This tactile or near-tactile presence activates sensory receptors. According to gate control theory, this activation could compete with pain signals for access to the brain. The gentle, sustained nature of Reiki touch might provide a different kind of gate-closing stimulus than brief rubbing or massage.
The Psychosocial Component
Chronic pain is never purely physical. The same injury or condition can produce vastly different pain experiences in different people, or in the same person at different times. Attention, emotion, expectation, and social context all influence pain perception.
A Reiki session provides focused attention from another person in a calm, supportive environment. The client is told that healing is taking place. These elements alone, independent of any energy transfer, could reduce pain perception through well-documented psychological mechanisms.
This is not a dismissal. Psychological factors in pain are real and powerful. If a Reiki session reduces pain partly through attention, expectation, or relaxation, that reduction is still real to the person experiencing it.
What Does the Research Show?
The research on Reiki for pain exists but has significant limitations. Understanding these limitations is essential for making informed decisions.
A 2018 meta-analysis published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice examined randomized controlled trials of Reiki for pain. The analysis included only 4 studies meeting their criteria, with a total of 212 participants. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in pain scores measured by the Visual Analog Scale. Specifically, the standardized mean difference was -0.927, indicating a meaningful reduction in pain for the Reiki groups compared to control groups.
However, the authors noted critical limitations. The number of studies was small. The total participant count was limited. The studies examined different types of pain rather than focusing on specific conditions. The confidence interval was wide, crossing zero at one end, which introduces uncertainty about the true effect size.
A literature review from PMC examining Reiki for pain and anxiety in adults calculated effect sizes from randomized trials. Effect sizes for pain reduction ranged from small to very large depending on the study and population. For community-dwelling adults with chronic pain, one study showed an effect size of d = 2.08 within groups and d = 4.5 between groups, numbers that would be considered very large effects. But sample sizes were small, typically around 24 participants, making it difficult to generalize.
A large-scale effectiveness trial published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2019 examined 1,411 Reiki sessions conducted by 99 practitioners across the United States. Statistically significant improvements were observed for pain and multiple other outcomes. The limitation here is that this was not a controlled trial. There was no placebo or sham Reiki comparison group. The improvements could reflect natural fluctuation, expectation effects, or simply the benefits of rest and attention.
The bottom line: Small studies suggest Reiki may help with pain. Effect sizes are sometimes impressive. But the research base is limited, methodologically imperfect, and insufficient to make definitive claims.
Types of Pain People Bring to Reiki
Based on practitioner reports and available research, certain types of chronic pain appear more commonly in Reiki practices:
Back pain remains the most common complaint. This makes sense given that back pain is the most prevalent chronic pain condition overall. Lower back pain in particular brings many people to complementary therapies after conventional treatments provide incomplete relief.
Fibromyalgia appears frequently in Reiki research. A 2022 study specifically examined Reiki for fibromyalgia patients, finding effects on pain, wellbeing, and anxiety. Fibromyalgia involves widespread pain without clear structural cause, making it a condition where complementary approaches often enter the picture.
Cancer-related pain has received research attention. Multiple studies have examined Reiki in cancer patients, though results vary. A meta-analysis of 7 studies found Reiki may decrease pain levels in cancer patients, but the evidence remains preliminary.
Post-surgical pain has been studied in several contexts, including knee replacement and abdominal surgery. Results are mixed, with some studies showing benefit and others showing no significant difference from control conditions.
Arthritis and joint pain bring many clients to Reiki, though specific research on these conditions is limited.
Neuropathic pain, including diabetic neuropathy, has been examined in at least one research context with positive results, but the evidence is too thin to draw conclusions.
| Condition | Research Status |
|---|---|
| General chronic pain | Several small studies, meta-analysis shows potential benefit |
| Fibromyalgia | Limited studies, some positive results |
| Cancer-related pain | Multiple studies, mixed results |
| Post-surgical pain | Several studies, mixed results |
| Arthritis | Limited research |
| Neuropathic pain | Minimal research |
What Reiki Cannot Do
Clear boundaries matter. Reiki cannot:
Cure the underlying condition causing your pain. If you have a herniated disc, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or any other condition, Reiki will not repair tissue, reduce inflammation in a lasting way, or eliminate the structural source of your pain.
Replace medical treatment. If you are managing chronic pain with medications, physical therapy, injections, or other medical interventions, Reiki is a complement to these treatments, not a substitute. Never discontinue medical treatment based on experiences during Reiki sessions.
Guarantee results. The research suggests Reiki may help with pain, but many people experience no significant change. Individual responses vary widely, and there is no way to predict who will benefit.
Provide long-term relief from a single session. Even in studies showing positive results, the effects appear to be temporary. Ongoing sessions would be needed to maintain any benefit, similar to how physical therapy or massage requires ongoing application. Research suggests that short-term interventions of 3 sessions or moderate-frequency treatments of 6 to 8 sessions show the most consistent effects, though individual responses vary.
| Goal | Suggested Approach |
|---|---|
| Initial exploration | 3 sessions over 2-3 weeks to assess response |
| Active pain flare support | Weekly sessions during acute periods |
| Ongoing maintenance | Every 2-4 weeks based on individual response |
| Integrated pain program | Coordinate frequency with other treatments |
Work equally for all types of pain. Pain is not a single entity. Nociceptive pain from tissue damage, neuropathic pain from nerve dysfunction, and centralized pain involving altered brain processing may respond differently to any intervention, including Reiki.
Integration with Medical Care
The most promising role for Reiki in chronic pain management is as part of an integrated approach. This means working with, not instead of, your medical providers.
Several major medical centers now include Reiki in their integrative medicine programs. In New York City, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center offers Reiki as a supportive therapy. Mount Sinai Health System includes Reiki among its integrative medicine services. NYU Langone Health provides Reiki through its Mind-Body Patient Bedside Program and Lerner Health Promotion Program. These institutions are not endorsing Reiki as a proven treatment; they are recognizing patient interest and the apparent safety of the practice when used appropriately.
If you are considering adding Reiki to your pain management approach, communicate with your healthcare providers. Let them know you are exploring complementary therapies. Good providers will support informed decisions about low-risk interventions, even ones without strong evidence bases.
Track your results. Keep a pain diary that notes your pain levels before and after Reiki sessions, along with other variables like sleep quality, medication use, activity level, stress level, and weather. Rate your pain on a consistent scale, such as 0 to 10, at the same times each day. After 4 to 6 sessions, review the pattern. This gives you real data about whether Reiki helps your specific situation rather than relying on general impressions.
Maintain realistic expectations. If Reiki provides modest temporary relief that helps you get through difficult periods, that may be a worthwhile outcome. If you expect dramatic, lasting transformation, you are likely to be disappointed.
Finding Practitioners Who Work with Pain
Not all Reiki practitioners have experience working with chronic pain clients. When seeking a practitioner in NYC, consider asking specific questions:
Do you have experience working with clients who have chronic pain? What types of pain conditions have you worked with? How do you adapt your practice for clients with pain? Do you communicate with clients’ medical providers if requested?
A practitioner experienced with chronic pain will understand the need for positioning modifications, as some clients cannot lie flat or remain still in certain positions. They will know not to make promises about pain reduction. They will support your continued medical care.
Individual sessions in Manhattan range from roughly $80 to $175, depending on the practitioner’s experience and setting. Because chronic pain management through Reiki typically requires multiple sessions over weeks, the cumulative cost matters more than the single-session price. Ask about ongoing client rates before committing.
The Honest Perspective
Chronic pain is relentless. It wears people down. It makes them willing to try things they might otherwise dismiss. This vulnerability deserves respect, not exploitation.
Reiki is not a proven treatment for chronic pain. The research is encouraging but insufficient. The mechanisms are plausible but unconfirmed. The results, when they occur, appear to be temporary and variable.
But Reiki is not snake oil either. The practice has real effects on relaxation and stress. It provides human contact and focused attention in ways that may genuinely help some people with chronic pain. It carries no known risks when used as a complement to appropriate medical care.
The question is not whether Reiki cures chronic pain. It does not. The question is whether Reiki might provide enough benefit, for you specifically, to justify the time and expense of trying it. That question can only be answered by trying it and observing your own response.
If you choose to explore Reiki for pain management, go in with realistic expectations. Give it several sessions before judging. Track your results objectively. Maintain your medical care. And recognize that even a modest improvement in quality of life, even temporary relief that helps you cope, has real value when you live with chronic pain, whether you are navigating subway stairs in Harlem or walking the cobblestones in DUMBO.
How to Track Whether It Is Helping
Pain is subjective, but tracking makes patterns visible. Before starting Reiki:
Daily pain rating (1-10). Same time each day, brief note. Look for trends over weeks, not day-to-day fluctuations.
Medication use. Are you reaching for breakthrough pain relief less often? This is a functional measure.
Activity capacity. Can you walk farther, sit longer, sleep better? Functional improvements matter more than pain ratings alone.
Mood and coping. Chronic pain affects mental state. Even if pain levels stay similar, improved coping capacity has value.
Evaluate after 4-6 sessions. If no movement on any measure, Reiki may not be effective for your specific situation. That is useful information.
Common Questions
Can Reiki replace pain medication?
No. Do not stop or reduce pain medication based on Reiki sessions. Any medication changes should be discussed with your prescribing physician. Reiki is complementary, not a replacement for medical pain management.
How many sessions might help with chronic pain?
Research suggests that short-term interventions of three sessions or moderate-frequency treatments of six to eight sessions show the most consistent effects. However, individual responses vary widely.
Will insurance cover Reiki for pain management?
Typically no. Standard health insurance does not reimburse Reiki sessions. Some integrative medicine clinics bundle Reiki into broader programs that carry partial coverage. If you are enrolled in an integrative pain program, ask whether complementary therapies like Reiki fall within the covered services.
Is Reiki safe to try alongside other pain treatments?
Generally yes. Reiki involves no substances and is non-invasive. It is used alongside conventional treatment at major medical centers including Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone. Inform your medical team that you are trying Reiki.
What types of chronic pain have been studied with Reiki?
Research has examined Reiki for cancer-related pain, fibromyalgia, post-surgical pain, and various other chronic pain conditions. Results are mixed but show some promise for temporary relief, particularly when combined with conventional care.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Reiki is a complementary practice and should not replace professional medical treatment for chronic pain. Never discontinue prescribed medications or treatments without consulting your healthcare provider. If you have a chronic pain condition, work with a licensed healthcare provider to develop an appropriate treatment plan.