Reiki Massage: What Is It?

As a Reiki Master who does hands-on work with hundreds of clients, I often get the question: What is the difference between Reiki and massage? Is there such thing as a “Reiki massage?”

Today, between sessions at my Boston Reiki studio, I decided to write this article to explain the answer! I hope it provides useful clarification.

Reiki vs. Massage:

In fact, Reiki (pronounce Reiki RAY-kee) energy work is quite different from massage. Yes, you can combine them, but it’s important to understand the distinction between the two so that you don’t get disappointed when you’re expecting one but get the other. Let’s define each.

What is Massage?

Though there are many types of massage therapy, at its simplest, massage is applying pressure to muscles to help blood flow and “get out knots” — for example, by deeply rubbling the shoulders and back. Often in a professional setting, massage is done reclining under a sheet, with clothes removed so that massage oil can be applied to the skin for ease of muscle release through the practitioner kneading with their hands.

Massage is particularly recommended for stress release and for helping ease sore muscles. Generally, it is practical, physical, and straightforward. For the most part, it is less associated with emotional, spiritual, chakra, or energy work, and aura colors.

What is Reiki?

In contrast, Reiki is about energy flow through soft touch — not about squeezing or pressing the muscles. As explained in “What is Reiki?” unlike massage, Reiki is generally done with the client fully clothed and reclining, while the practitioner gently places or hovers their hands in specific positions from the head to the feet.

The purpose of these hand placements is to help energy flow and unblock chakras. Spiritual elements such as the Five Reiki Principles and symbols are used to focus intention and effects.

Reiki is particularly recommended for emotional and mental processing of life changes. Like acupuncture, hands-on energy work can help “unblock” stuck energy or areas of life — especially if you have a Reiki practitioner like me who employs discussion during the session, thus adding an element of talk therapy.

What is “Reiki Massage?”

So, does a “Reiki massage” exist? Technically, yes, you could combine pressure and squeezing of the muscles (massage) with energy work and Reiki symbols (Reiki) — but it can be much harder to find a qualified person to do both of these together than to do them separately. Why? The training, implementation, and purposes are totally different!

This is why I like to be very clear with prospective clients, even before they fill out my Reiki intake form, saying to them, “I just want to make sure you understand that I’m going to be doing gentle hand placements — not squeezing your muscles like a massage. Is that a match for what you’re seeking?”

If not, no worries… I just refer them to the great masseuse down the street so they can work with a practitioner who fits what they want and need. (As I explained in “How to Spot and Avoid a Reiki Scam,” the hallmark of a trustworthy professional is they will gladly connect you with another business to support your goals.)

Reiki Massage, in Sum

I hope this article on the differences between Reiki chakra (learn how to pronounce chakra) balancing and massage has been helpful! Again, it is possible to combine these two wellness modalities into a “Reiki massage,” but it’s more customary to separate them between two qualified professionals instead. Read the analysis of Reiki therapy for further disambiguation.

Finally, see my article on Reiki session costs to get a broader picture of how Reiki and massage pricing compares. Be well, and feel free to add your thoughts and experiences to the comments section, below.

Want more? See my article on what to expect after chakra balancing.