Reiki is a hands-on, energy-based healing practice that originated in Japan in the early 20th century, in which a practitioner channels gentle, noninvasive touch or places hands just above the body to support physical, emotional, and spiritual balance; it is grounded in the idea that a universal life force flows through all living beings and that disruptions or blockages in this energy can contribute to stress, pain, or illness.

Sessions typically involve the client lying fully clothed while the practitioner moves through a sequence of positions, often spending several minutes at each area, with the intention of promoting deep relaxation, reducing anxiety, and facilitating the body's natural ability to restore and heal; although scientific evidence on mechanisms and efficacy is limited and mixed, many people report subjective benefits such as reduced muscle tension, improved mood, better sleep, and a greater overall sense of well-being. Reiki is most often used as a gentle, complementary therapy alongside conventional medical or mental health treatments rather than as a replacement for standard care.