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Living with a thyroid condition can feel like a constant juggling act. Your energy, mood, sleep, and even focus can shift from one day to the next.  What if a simple, hands-on energy practice could help quiet your nervous system, ease stress, and support your body’s natural ability to heal? For many people managing thyroid conditions — from autoimmune Hashimoto’s Disease to hypothyroidism — Reiki offers just that. Rooted in centuries-old Japanese healing traditions, Reiki is gaining attention as a gentle yet powerful complement to conventional care, especially for those looking to reduce fatigue, anxiety, and the emotional toll of chronic illness. This article guides you through what Reiki is, the research findings on its health benefits, and how it may realistically help individuals with autoimmune thyroid conditions and hypothyroidism. We’ll also discuss safety considerations as well as practical how-tos for finding Reiki services. Ahead, guidance for those of you who’ve ever wondered about whether Reiki can help!

Reiki (pronounced RAY-kee) was developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui. Reiki is a gentle healing practice that aims to restore balance to the body’s energy system. The word “Reiki” comes from two Japanese words:

• “Rei” meaning “universal” or “spiritual,”
• “Ki” meaning “life energy” or life force energy (similar to “chi” or “prana”).

Reiki is also a secular practice that’s accessible to people of all backgrounds and belief systems, making it a widely embraced form of stress relief and energy balancing.

A Reiki session is a deeply relaxing and non-invasive experience. You’ll typically lie fully clothed on a comfortable massage table while a trained practitioner lightly places their hands on or just above specific areas of your body. They don’t manipulate or press — instead, they focus on channeling calming energy to promote deep relaxation and balance.

Some people describe feeling warmth, tingling, or a wave of calm; others simply drift into a peaceful, meditative state. (Some even fall asleep!) Many walk away feeling lighter, more grounded, and better able to cope with daily stress.

A typical Reiki session feels more like a soothing meditation than a medical appointment. Here’s what you can expect:

1. A short chat – Your practitioner will ask about your health history, goals, and any areas of concern.
2. Relaxing setup – You’ll lie down (or sit, if preferred), fully clothed, in a calm setting with soft music or quiet.
3. Gentle hand placements – The practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above your body — often the head, shoulders, heart, abdomen, and sometimes directly over the throat, where your thyroid is located.
4. Deep relaxation – Most sessions last 45–60 minutes, during which you may feel warmth, tingling, energy flow, or simply peaceful stillness.
5. Grounding and aftercare – After the session, you may talk briefly about your experience and get recommendations for follow-up.

People often say they feel as if they’ve just woken from a restful nap — calm, centered, and refreshed.

Reiki is often described as an “energy therapy”, but from a modern scientific viewpoint, its effects likely come from how it activates your body’s relaxation response. Here’s what we know:

• It calms the nervous system. Reiki can shift your body out of “fight-or-flight” mode (sympathetic activation) and into “rest-and-digest” mode (parasympathetic activation).
• It may lower stress hormones. Studies have found that Reiki sessions can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of cortisol, the adrenal hormone.
• It improves mood and sleep. Many participants report better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional balance.
• It supports overall well-being. When you feel calmer, you often make better choices — such as eating well, resting more, and responding to challenges with greater resilience.

Those of us with thyroid conditions are often influenced by stress and immune balance, making these effects even more meaningful. Even if Reiki doesn’t directly change hormone levels, it may help both body and mind stay in a more healing-friendly state.

Scientific research on Reiki is still emerging, but there’s growing evidence of its benefits for stress reduction, anxiety, pain relief, and quality of life. In fact, for these benefits, research shows that Reiki is “better than placebo.”

A large meta-analysis released in 2025 demonstrated that Reiki therapy can significantly enhance quality of life, including for individuals with chronic health conditions. Reiki works best when done frequently (at least eight sessions) and for longer durations (60 minutes or more each), or as shorter sessions (20 minutes or less) in acute care settings.

In general, studies and reviews have shown that:

• Reiki consistently promotes deep relaxation and reduces stress.
• Many people experience less pain and better emotional well-being after sessions.
• Improvements are most notable in subjective symptoms like fatigue, mood, and sleep — not in lab values.

There are not many studies that focus on Reiki’s benefits for specific health conditions. However, a study published in 2024 showed that Reiki was significantly effective in improving fatigue and sleep quality in people with autoimmune multiple sclerosis.

Some case reports and practitioners describe the use of Reiki (and related energy healing methods) for helping manage hypothyroidism, suggesting improvements in symptoms when used alongside standard care. The reported benefits include enhanced mood, reduced pain, and better emotional balance.

In addition, qualitative research, including patient interviews, has also reported improvements in pain, anxiety, sleep quality, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life for people with autoimmune diseases. However, the effects are largely temporary and depend on ongoing use. From a scientific perspective, these benefits are thought to arise primarily from Reiki’s activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and may help mitigate inflammation and stress responses. However, systematic reviews acknowledge that much of the evidence is anecdotal.

Autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is strongly affected by inflammation, stress, and immune system regulation. Chronic stress can intensify autoimmune flares, while relaxation and emotional balance can help calm them. To that end, Reiki may help by:

• Lowering stress hormones and calming inflammation triggers
• Improving sleep and recovery
• Encouraging emotional balance during symptom flares
• Supporting a sense of connection, peace, and self-compassion

People with hypothyroidism often struggle with fatigue, mood changes, and brain fog. Reiki’s gentle calming effect can help you feel more grounded and balanced.

In other words, while Reiki may not “fix” your immune system or thyroid levels, it can absolutely help you feel better — calmer, more rested, more balanced, and more capable of managing daily life with a chronic condition.

Reiki is not a replacement for medication or medical treatment. However, as a complement, it can make a meaningful difference in your quality of life. Here’s what it can do — and what it can’t:

Reiki can help:

• Ease stress, anxiety, and overwhelm
• Improve relaxation and sleep
• Support emotional well-being and coping
• Create a sense of calm and balance

Reiki can’t replace:

• Thyroid hormone medications
• Lab testing or medical monitoring
• Medical treatment for autoimmune disease

Think of Reiki as a gentle partner to your standard thyroid care — one that helps your body feel safer, calmer, and more receptive to healing.

Reiki is considered very safe for most people. There’s no physical manipulation, no pressure, and no substances involved.

After a session, you may feel:

• Deep relaxation or sleepiness
• Emotional release (feeling lighter, sometimes tearful)
• Temporary tiredness as your body adjusts

These effects usually fade within a day, leaving you feeling refreshed.

When to be cautious:

• If you have severe mental health concerns, coordinate Reiki with your therapist or doctor.
• Always continue prescribed medications and treatments.
• In medical emergencies, seek medical care first — Reiki is never a substitute.

Because Reiki isn’t licensed by a single national board, it’s essential to choose a practitioner who has demonstrated training, integrity, and professionalism. Here’s how to find the right fit:

Ask about training

• Look for practitioners trained in Usui Reiki, Usui/Tibetan, or Holy Fire Reiki.
• Ask what level they’ve completed (Reiki I, II, Master/Teacher).

Experience with health conditions

• You may want to choose someone who has worked with chronic illness or autoimmune patients.
• They should understand how to adapt sessions to your needs.

Comfort and rapport

• You should feel safe, heard, and respected.
• Trust your gut — if something feels off, keep looking.

Professionalism

• Your Reiki practitioner should have clear pricing, consent forms, and confidentiality policies.
• No pressure to buy products or make health decisions.

You can find Reiki practitioners through:

• Integrative medicine centers
• Wellness studios
• Hospital complementary therapy programs
• Professional directories. IARP, the International Association of Reiki Professionals, has a “Find a Reiki Practitioner” directory on its website.

Can Reiki really work from afar? Many people are surprised to learn that distance Reiki is a long-established practice within Reiki tradition.

Even though science hasn’t fully explained how distance Reiki works, many recipients report similar benefits — stress relief, better sleep, and emotional ease. Plus, it’s a convenient option if travel, mobility, or location make in-person sessions difficult.

Most Reiki practitioners agree that live sessions — where the practitioner intentionally focuses on you at a specific time — are the most aligned with traditional Reiki teachings.

Here’s why:

• Reiki energy is channeled intentionally by the practitioner at the agreed-upon time.
• You’re consciously receiving during the session, which can enhance relaxation and openness.
• The practitioner may adjust their focus based on what they sense intuitively during the session.
• There’s a shared energetic “connection” — often described as a live exchange.

Practitioners often liken live distance Reiki to a live phone call: even though you’re not in the same room, you’re still “connected” in the moment.

During a distance session:

• You’ll schedule a time with your practitioner or attend a group session.
• You’ll lie down or sit comfortably in your own space.
• The practitioner will connect energetically, often using a visualization or symbol-based method.
• You may feel the same warmth, calm, or peace as during an in-person session.

The concept of recorded Reiki sessions is more controversial. Some practitioners believe Reiki can be infused into a recording or programmed to activate when played — others do not consider this authentic Reiki.

Practitioners who support recorded Reiki say:

• Reiki energy is not limited by time or space — it can be “sent” into an audio or video, and into a future moment.
• The intention of the practitioner can “charge” a recording so that when a listener presses play, they receive the energy.
• Recorded Reiki sessions can be helpful for meditation, sleep, or daily use when live sessions aren’t possible.

Skeptical practitioners say:

• Reiki is guided by intuition and responsiveness in the moment — a recording lacks that live interaction.
• True Reiki transmission requires active connection between sender and receiver, not a passive playback.
• Recorded sessions may still be relaxing because of music, voice, or intention, but may not deliver the same depth of Reiki energy.

• Set an intention. Consider what you’d like support with, such as calmness, energy, balance, or clarity.
• Wear comfortable clothing. You’ll stay fully dressed.
• Avoid heavy meals or caffeine right before.
• Give yourself quiet time afterward to rest, and notice any changes.

After a Reiki session, be sure to stay well hydrated. Reiki practitioners often recommend drinking water after a session to support your body’s natural healing process and to help you feel grounded. Hydration helps flush out metabolic waste, aids lymphatic and kidney function, and keeps cells balanced as your body processes subtle changes. Because Reiki can trigger emotional releases and deep relaxation, water also helps you feel centered and alert afterward. While not medically required, it’s a simple way to enhance the restorative and energetic effects of the treatment.

To make Reiki part of your overall wellness strategy:

• Continue all medical care — medications, labs, and checkups remain essential.
• Communicate with your doctor. Let them know you’re using Reiki for stress management and relaxation.
• Track your progress. Keep a journal of your sleep, mood, and symptoms before and after each session.
• Use Reiki during transitions. It can be beneficial when adjusting medication doses or managing life stress.

I’ve had in-person Reiki many times, and I’ve always loved it. It’s incredibly relaxing — after an hour-long session, I usually feel like I’ve had a three-hour nap! The sense of calm and balance that follows is unmatched.

Lately, though, I’ve discovered that I don’t even have to leave home to enjoy Reiki! I’ve become a huge fan of live Reiki sessions online, and I watch them regularly on TikTok! Here are two of my favorite Reiki practitioners who stream live almost every day, and also have recorded Reiki sessions.

Authentically Ashley

This Virginia-based TikToker goes live most weekdays around midday Eastern time. She’s on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@iamauthenticallyashley. Ashley has a YouTube channel featuring recorded Reiki sessions, available at https://www.youtube.com/@iamauthenticallyashley. Ashley also has a website Iamauthenticallyashley.com, where you can book private, one-on-one distance sessions online.

Danta Wholistic Wellness

Danta, a Reiki practitioner from Lithuania, does English-language sessions in the late afternoon or evening Eastern time most days on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@dantawholisticwellness.

Danta also has a YouTube channel featuring video recordings of Reiki sessions. Her YouTube is at https://www.youtube.com/@Wholistic.healing

Pay attention to the voice and style

Here’s a bit of Reiki advice! For me, the voice and style of the practitioner really matter. Some voices are immediately soothing, while others can be distracting or even grating. Personally, I prefer practitioners who speak gently, incorporate guided meditation as part of their Reiki practice, and use calm background music, rather than those who are completely silent with no music at all. Some Reiki providers also use props, such as rain sticks, singing bowls, gongs, and chimes, or burn incense as part of their Reiki sessions, all of which I love!  

My best advice? Listen or watch a practitioner beforehand — in-person or online — to see if their voice, energy, and Reiki style resonate with you. Finding the right fit will make the experience far more relaxing and effective for you.

Thyroid conditions can be challenging — physically, mentally, and emotionally. For your medical care, Paloma offers convenient home thyroid test kits and compassionate virtual care from top providers.

Reiki can be a complement to that care, offering a calm, nurturing space where you can breathe deeply, let go of tension, and reconnect with a sense of balance. While it won’t replace medication or medical care, it can be a powerful ally in your healing journey — helping you feel more at peace, more grounded, and more in tune with your body.

While many people with Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism report feeling calmer, more balanced, and less fatigued after Reiki sessions, there’s no strong scientific evidence yet showing Reiki can directly treat or change the course of thyroid disease. Research to date is limited to small studies and personal testimonials, rather than large-scale clinical trials.

That said, Reiki still offers meaningful support for stress relief, emotional well-being, and quality of life—all essential parts of managing any chronic condition, including Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. Experts recommend using Reiki as a complementary therapy alongside standard medical care, not as a replacement.

For now, Reiki’s role in thyroid health is best seen as a gentle, holistic support—helping you relax, cope better, and feel more in tune with your body while following evidence-based treatment.

Whether you schedule a session with a local practitioner or try distance Reiki from the comfort of home, give yourself permission to relax and receive.

Your body does remarkable things when it feels safe, supported, and calm — and Reiki may be one gentle way to get there.

• Reiki is a gentle, hands-on Japanese healing practice that promotes relaxation, emotional balance, and stress relief.
• Reiki sessions involve light touch or hands held just above the body, typically lasting 45–60 minutes.
• Reiki activates the body’s relaxation response, reducing stress hormones and supporting sleep, mood, and overall well-being.
• Research suggests Reiki improves quality of life – including mood, sleep, and resilience -- particularly for those with chronic conditions, autoimmune diseases, or hypothyroidism.
• Reiki can be done in-person, via live distance sessions, or through recordings, though live sessions may be more effective.
• Reiki is a complementary therapy, and not a replacement for medication or medical care, and works best when integrated into an overall wellness plan.

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