Reiki Healing: Restoring energetic and emotional wellbeing
In our fast-paced, overstimulated world, it’s easy to feel disconnected — from our bodies, from nature, and from the quiet wisdom within. Stress, emotional strain, and constant “doing” can leave us feeling drained, unwell and out of alignment.
Reiki offers a gentle return to self. It’s a deeply nurturing energy healing practice that helps restore harmony to the body, mind and spirit.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a Japanese word meaning universal life energy. It’s based on the understanding that a vital life force flows through all living beings — and when this energy becomes blocked or depleted, it can manifest as stress, pain, or illness.
During a Reiki session, this life force energy is channeled through the practitioner’s hands to the client, supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It’s non-invasive, safe, and deeply relaxing — often described as feeling like a warm, soothing current of energy or a deep meditative state.
Sessions can be delivered in person or online. For in person sessions, the client can choose for the practitioner to be hands-on or hands hovering above their body.
Online sessions are delivered remotely where the practitioner will tune into the client via video call and use symbols to connect with the client.
Both sessions are equally as effective and provide the same results.
How Does Reiki Work?
Reiki works on multiple levels — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
When you receive Reiki, your body naturally moves into a rest-and-heal state, allowing energy to flow freely again. The practitioner places their hands either gently on or slightly above the body, moving through various energy centres (chakras) and intuitive points.
Rather than forcing or directing energy, Reiki follows your body’s innate wisdom — going exactly where it’s needed most. Many people experience sensations like warmth, tingling, lightness, or waves of calm. Other commonalities include falling asleep, emotions or memories arising and being moved through the body, sense of groundedness and inner clarity.
From a scientific perspective, Reiki has been shown to reduce stress hormones, slow heart rate, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s natural recovery mode. From an energetic perspective, it helps release stagnant emotions, dissolve energetic blockages, and restore harmony to your system.
What Can Reiki Be Used For?
Reiki is incredibly versatile and can support both physical and emotional healing. It can be used as a standalone treatment or alongside other therapies and medical care.
Common reasons people seek Reiki include:
Stress, anxiety and emotional overwhelm
Physical pain or tension
Fatigue and burnout
Grief, loss and emotional healing
Trauma and nervous system regulation
Insomnia or difficulty relaxing
Life transitions or spiritual growth
Energy balancing and chakra alignment
Many clients also use Reiki as part of their self-care or spiritual practice — a way to reconnect, recentre, and nurture themselves on a deep soul level.
What to Expect in a Reiki Session
At Rachael McCarthy Wellness a typical Reiki session lasts between 60-90 minutes. This time includes an initial consultation and goal setting, treatment and post-session debrief and grounding.
During the treatment you’ll remain fully clothed, lying comfortably on a massage table or seated in a chair. If at home having a remote session, clients can choose a quiet, comfortable place such as a bed, couch or anywhere else that they can relax and be undisturbed.
The in person space is calm, soothing, and private — often with soft music, gentle lighting, blankets and pillows or bolsters for added comfort.
During the session, most people feel deeply relaxed — some even drift into sleep. Others experience emotional release or subtle shifts in energy. Afterward, you may feel lighter, clearer, or more grounded and centred.
Each session is unique, and the effects can continue unfolding for days afterward.
A Gentle Path Back to Yourself
Reiki is not about fixing or diagnosing — it’s about remembering your wholeness. It helps you come home to yourself: calm, clear, connected, and aligned.
In a world that often demands we push and strive, Reiki reminds us that healing can also come through stillness, softness, and allowing.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to release stress, support emotional healing, or deepen your spiritual connection, Reiki offers a gentle yet powerful path back to balance.
Every session is an invitation to slow down, receive, and let your energy flow freely again — so your body, mind, and spirit can return to their natural state of harmony.
