A Science-Informed Approach to Stress Reduction and Balance​

 

Reiki is a Japanese practice that supports the body’s natural ability to regulate stress and restore balance. While rooted in the traditional Usui lineage, Reiki is increasingly studied through the lens of neuroscience, physiology, and integrative health.

​

During a Reiki session, light touch or hands held just above the body stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s natural “rest and restore” mode. This shift has been linked to:

• Reduced cortisol levels (the stress hormone), supporting calm under pressure

• Lower heart rate and blood pressure, creating measurable relaxation responses

• Improved heart rate variability (HRV), a key marker of resilience and adaptability

• Enhanced focus and clarity, as brainwave activity shifts toward relaxed, meditative states/ alpha, beta, theta waves                

• Better sleep quality, as the nervous system recalibrates and tension decreases

​

Emerging research suggests that Reiki may influence biofield energy — the body’s electromagnetic and subtle energy patterns — in ways that promote equilibrium across physical, emotional, and cognitive systems.