When people hear about “energy medicine”, responses can range from intrigued to skeptical. After all, how can simply placing hands on or near the body possibly affect your health? But as science continues to explore the connection between energy and biology, the question is becoming not if energy healing works… but how?

At Together Against Cancer, we offer Reiki for cancer support, as a free complementary therapy to support you emotionally, mentally and physically on your journey. Whether you’re unsure, open-minded, or simply curious, this article will explore the science behind Reiki, the energy fields of the body, and how this gentle therapy may support healing during a cancer journey.

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is an ancient Japanese energy healing modality that channels what’s often referred to as universal life force energy. Many ancient cultures, including Chinese (Qi), Indian (Prana) and Indigenous traditions, have long recognised that subtle energy underpins human vitality.

A Reiki practitioner gently places their hands on or near the body, facilitating a flow of energy that supports relaxation, balance and the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

But how does this fit into the world of science?

The Science Behind Reiki and Bioenergy

Every living being emits subtle electromagnetic fields. This is measurable… think EEGs (for brainwaves), EKGs (for heart rhythms), or even infrared imaging used in medicine. Our cells communicate through energy and disruptions in this energy flow can precede physical symptoms.

This is where Reiki and other forms of energy healing come in. Reiki aims to bring these subtle energies back into balance, potentially influencing everything from the nervous system to immune function.

A fascinating study titled “Manipulation of the Electromagnetic Spectrum via Fields Projected from Human Hands: A Qi Energy Connection” by researchers Randall L. Waechter and Lauren Sergio explores how trained energy practitioners may emit measurable electromagnetic fields through their hands. These findings suggest that Reiki can influence the body’s energy systems in measurable ways.

The Auric Field and Pranic Flow

You might have heard terms like aura or prana and assumed they were purely spiritual concepts. In fact, these ideas align with modern science’s growing awareness of the body’s biofield.

• The auric field is thought to be the electromagnetic field that surrounds the body – something biofield imaging is beginning to capture.
• Pranic flow, much like Qi in Chinese medicine, refers to the movement of energy through the body’s energetic channels.

Reiki works to clear and rebalance these flows, supporting the body’s capacity to heal and adapt. For cancer patients especially, keeping this energy balanced may help ease the physical and emotional effects of treatment.

Reiki For Cancer Support

While Reiki is not a cure for cancer, it can be a powerful complement to medical treatment that supports the whole person during one of life’s most challenging experiences. Here’s how Reiki helps during cancer treatment:

• Calms the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety
• Eases pain and discomfort, often improving quality of life
• Reduces side effects, like nausea and fatigue
• Improves sleep, promoting deeper rest and recovery
• Creates a sense of peace, emotional balance and connection to self

Studies suggest Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system – the “rest and repair” mode that’s vital for healing. When your body feels safe and supported, it can better process treatments and manage symptoms.

But I’m Not Sure I “Believe” in Energy…

That’s okay… Reiki doesn’t require belief. It works with intention and the innate intelligence of the body. Even those who come in skeptical often leave their first session feeling more relaxed, grounded or uplifted.

You don’t have to understand electricity to benefit from a light switch. And you don’t have to fully grasp the quantum mechanics of energy fields to allow yourself one hour of peace and healing.

As science continues to catch up with ancient wisdom, we’re beginning to understand that the body is more than just muscle, bone and chemistry. It’s energy, too.

At Together Against Cancer, we honour both the modern and the spiritual. Reiki is offered not as a replacement for medical treatment, but as a supportive, empowering tool that nurtures the whole self alongside it. To book a Reiki session or find out more about our free cancer support, please get in touch with our team today.