Reiki Myths (Not True) by Karen Harrison, Reiki Master

1. Reiki is a religion.
   Reiki is a spiritual practice, not a religion. It has no required belief system, dogma, or worship practices.
2. You must believe in Reiki for it to work.
   Reiki works regardless of whether someone believes in it, although openness may enhance the experience.
3. Reiki is only a placebo.
   Reiki has been studied and shown to have measurable effects, including relaxation, stress reduction, and improved well-being, in some cases, beyond the placebo effect.
4. Only “special people” can do Reiki.
   Anyone can learn Reiki with training and attunement/placements.
5. Reiki practitioners use their own energy.
   Practitioners channel universal life energy, not their personal energy.
6. Reiki can diagnose illnesses.
   Reiki does not replace medical diagnosis. Practitioners do not diagnose or prescribe.
7. Reiki is harmful or has side effects.
   Reiki is safe and complementary. The energy only supports what is for the highest good.
8. You must touch the client for Reiki to work.
   Reiki can be shared with a light touch, hands held above the body, or at a distance.
9. Reiki is tied to the occult or magic.
   Reiki is not magic, spell work, or occult practice. It is a healing modality that promotes balance.
10. Reiki is only for physical healing.
    Reiki supports emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, as well as physical symptoms.
11. More Reiki symbols mean more power.
    The effectiveness of Reiki is not about the number of symbols but about the practitioner’s connection and training.
12. Reiki requires years of practice before it works.
    Reiki begins flowing immediately after training and placements.
13. Animals and children can’t receive Reiki.
    Reiki is safe and beneficial for all ages, as well as for animals.
14. You must protect yourself from taking on clients’ energy.
    Reiki energy flows through the practitioner, not from them, so they are not depleted or absorbing negative energy.
15. Reiki conflicts with medicine.
    Reiki is complementary and can be used in conjunction with medical and therapeutic care.
16. You can’t do Reiki on broken bones.
    Reiki is safe to use with broken bones. It can support comfort, relaxation, and the body’s natural healing process while medical treatment (like setting the bone) is still required.
17. You can’t do Reiki if someone has a pacemaker.
    Reiki is safe with pacemakers. Unlike some electronic devices or magnets, Reiki energy does not interfere with medical implants.
18. Reiki practitioners take on other people’s illnesses.
    Reiki does not transfer illness or negative energy from the client to the practitioner. Reiki flows through the practitioner, bringing only healing energy, never illness.
19. Reiki drains the practitioner’s energy.
    Because Reiki comes from the universal life force, not personal reserves, practitioners are not depleted — many actually feel energized after a session.
20. You can do Reiki wrong.
    Reiki always flows for the highest good. Intention and openness are enough — there is no way to “mess it up.”
21. Distance Reiki isn’t real.
    Reiki is not limited by time or space. Practitioners and recipients often report strong experiences during distant sessions.
22. Reiki requires strict hand positions.
    Hand positions are guidelines. Reiki energy flows where it is needed, regardless of exact placement.
23. You shouldn’t mix Reiki with other healing methods.
    Reiki blends seamlessly with massage, counseling, meditation, prayer, and many other modalities, enhancing rather than conflicting with them.
24. Reiki always produces immediate results.
    Sometimes results are subtle or unfold over time. Reiki supports natural healing, which may progress gradually.
25. Reiki is only for people who are sick.
    Healthy people also benefit from Reiki for relaxation, stress relief, and spiritual growth.
26. You can’t do Reiki on someone who is pregnant.
    Reiki is gentle and safe during pregnancy. Many women use Reiki for relaxation, stress reduction, and discomfort relief during pregnancy.
27. Christians shouldn’t practice Reiki.
    Reiki is not a religion and does not conflict with any other faith, including Christianity. Many Christians practice Reiki as a way of sharing God’s love and healing presence. https://www.reiki.org/reiki-christians
28. You shouldn’t give Reiki if you are not well.
    If you are physically ill, it may be best to avoid in-person sessions to protect your client from contagion, but you can still send Reiki from a distance. If you are emotionally unwell, you can still give Reiki — by setting your personality and ego aside and focusing fully on your client, the Reiki energy flows regardless of your mood or personal challenges.
29. An attunement can make you sick.
    Some people may experience a temporary healing reaction after an attunement or placement, such as fatigue, mild headache, or emotional release. This isn’t “getting sick” — it’s the body adjusting to a higher vibration and releasing what is no longer needed. These effects usually clear within a few days. Drinking water, resting, and giving yourself Reiki support the process.