Things Everyone Needs to Know About Energy Healing
Most people don’t start searching for energy healing because they’re bored.
They start because something feels off. The body is tense for no clear reason. Sleep isn’t restoring. The mind keeps replaying the same worry. Or life looks fine on the outside, but the inside feels heavy.
That’s often where energy healing therapies enter the conversation. Not as a dramatic “fix,” but as a gentle place to land. A way to unwind the system and come back into a sense of inner steadiness.
This guide covers what energy healing is, what an energy practitioner actually does, how Reiki fits in, what to expect in an energy clearing session, and how to approach emotional energy healing with discernment and care.
What is energy healing therapy, in plain language?
Energy healing (sometimes called energy medicine) is described as a complementary therapy based on the idea that an invisible field of energy surrounds and flows through the human body. Practitioners aim to “channel” or support that energy to restore balance and well-being.
Here’s the medical reality check that matters: Cleveland Clinic notes energy healing is not scientifically proven to be effective, but it’s likely safe for most people and may be used along with traditional medicine, not in place of it.
If you hold both truths, you’re in a healthy place:
the lived experience can feel meaningful and real
the claims should stay grounded and responsible
What are energy healers, and what do they do in a session?
When people ask “what are energy healers,” they’re usually trying to understand the human element: who is holding the space, and what happens behind the quiet music and soft lighting.
An energy healer (or energy practitioner) typically supports you through:
Presence and pacing: helping your nervous system settle through calm guidance
Light touch or hands above the body: depending on the modality and your consent
Energetic balancing: focusing on areas that feel “stuck,” depleted, or overactive
Integration: time to breathe, ground, and make sense of what you felt
In Anahata’s approach, energy healing sessions are described as working with the energetic field through light touch or hands-off techniques to support relaxation, emotional release, and balance, with experiences like warmth, tingling, and deep rest being common.
Common energy therapy types and where Reiki fits
Energy healing is a wide umbrella. Here’s a simple map of the energy therapy types you’ll hear most often:
| Type | What it looks like | Why do people try it |
|---|---|---|
| Reiki | Hands lightly on or just above the body to direct energy and support the body’s natural healing response | Deep relaxation, emotional support, stress relief |
| Pranic healing | A non-touch approach that involves scanning and clearing “blockages” and recharging the field | Feeling energetically heavy, stuck, or depleted |
|
Biofield therapies (broader category) |
Practices using hands-on/above the body, including Reiki, Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, and external qigong | Complementary wellbeing support |
Note: A quick note on the phrase “reiki medicine”: Reiki is commonly described as a complementary health approach, not a replacement for medical treatment. NCCIH describes Reiki as practitioners placing hands lightly on or just above a person, with the goal of directing energy to facilitate the person’s own healing response.
What to expect during your first energy clearing session
This is the part that helps people exhale, because the unknown can create resistance.
Most sessions follow a gentle flow:
Arrival + short check-in
You share what you’re carrying, what you’re hoping for, and anything you want the practitioner to know.
Settling the body
Breath, grounding, a moment to arrive fully.
The energy work
Light touch or hands hovering over the body, usually with long pauses to let the system unwind.
Integration
Time to return slowly, drink water, and notice how you feel.
Common first session experiences include warmth, tingling, emotional softening, clearer breathing, and deep rest.
If your experience feels subtle, that can be a good sign. Many nervous systems don’t trust sudden intensity. Gentleness is often what creates lasting change.
What does research say about energy healing therapies?
Research on energy healing is still evolving, but the overall direction is encouraging, especially around relaxation, emotional well-being, and quality of life. Mainstream health sources describe Reiki and energy healing as complementary approaches, meaning they’re commonly used to support the body’s natural regulation alongside existing care.
In research literature, biofield therapies are described as hands-on or hands above body practices intended to support healing and wellbeing. Because the “energy field” model doesn’t fit neatly into standard biomedical measurements, studies can be challenging to design perfectly, but the field is steadily developing.
A 2025 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reported positive quality of life effects across included Reiki studies, while also calling for stronger, more consistent research designs.
A grounded takeaway:
Energy work shows promising supportive benefits for many people, especially for stress and overall well-being.
Results vary, so it helps to stay body-led and notice what changes over a few sessions.
How to heal with energy at home (a safe beginner practice)
If you’re curious about healing with energy, start in a way that supports your nervous system first. You don’t need special tools.
Try this 7-minute practice:
1 minute: sit comfortably, one hand on heart, one on lower belly
3 minutes: slow nasal breathing, longer exhale than inhale
2 minutes: silently name what you want to feel (steady, softened, protected)
1 minute: place both hands over the heart and let the body settle
If you feel calmer afterward, that’s your signal that the practice is supportive. If you feel activated, shorten it and focus on grounding, like feet on the floor and a slower exhale.
Choosing an energy practitioner with discernment
The right practitioner leaves you feeling respected, not pressured.
Green flags
Consent is clear before any touch
They welcome questions about training and approach
They speak responsibly about medical care (supportive, not replacement)
They prioritize grounding and integration
Red flags
Fear-based language (“your energy is dangerous”)
Promises to cure serious conditions
Pressure to book more sessions quickly
Blurred boundaries that make you feel dependent
Your intuition matters here, and your nervous system does too.
Conclusion
Energy healing can be a soft doorway back to yourself. Not a shortcut, not a spectacle. More like a quiet recalibration.
If you want to explore holistic energy therapy in a guided way, Anahata shares a clear overview of their energy healing work and what a first session can feel like, so you can walk in prepared and grounded.
FAQs
What is energy healing therapy?
Energy healing therapy is a complementary approach based on the belief that a subtle energy field surrounds and flows through the body. Practitioners use light touch or hands above the body to support relaxation and balance. Cleveland Clinic notes it isn’t scientifically proven to be effective, but it’s likely safe alongside standard care.
What are energy healers?
Energy healers (energy practitioners) are trained providers who work with the body’s energy field using techniques like Reiki or other biofield therapies. Sessions often involve quiet presence, light touch, or hands above the body, and integration time afterward. Look for consent-based practice, clear boundaries, and grounded communication.
Is Reiki medicine?
Reiki is typically described as a complementary health approach, not a substitute for medical treatment. NCCIH explains that Reiki involves hands lightly on or just above the body, aiming to direct energy to support the person’s own healing response. Many people use it for relaxation and emotional support alongside conventional care.
How do I know if an energy clearing session helped?
Many people notice softer breathing, calmer emotions, deeper sleep, or a quieter mind after a session. Sometimes the shift is subtle and shows up later, like reacting less intensely to stress. What matters most is that you feel safe, respected, and more regulated, not drained or pressured.
How to do energy work as a beginner?
Start with grounding. Place a hand on your heart and belly, breathe slowly with a longer exhale, and set one simple intention. Keep it short and consistent. If you want a structured path, Reiki is a widely recognized method described by NCCIH, and it’s typically learned through guided training and practice.