When I tell people in South Africa that Reiki is used in hospitals overseas, they are often surprised. Many assume it’s a “spiritual” or “new age” practice -something too gentle, too subtle, to belong in a medical environment. But in the UK, Reiki is an accepted, safe, and valued complementary therapy used within National Health Service (NHS) hospitals to support patient wellbeing.
In fact, during my Reiki Level 2 training in London one of my classmates was the Senior Complementary Therapist for one of the NHS Trusts. He coordinated the volunteer schedule for the Reiki treatments and wanted to be able to step in and give sessions himself when the team was understaffed, so he qualified as a Reiki Practitioner.
This experience deeply shaped my professional understanding of Reiki. It also reassured me that Reiki is not fringe, mysterious, or placebo. In the UK (and in parts of the US as well), Reiki is mainstream enough to be offered inside hospitals, and its use is supported by strict regulations, safety considerations, and documented patient outcomes.
What the NHS Actually Says About Reiki
Many people don’t realise that several NHS hospitals openly list Reiki as part of their Complementary Therapy services – right alongside physiotherapy, massage, mindfulness, clinical aromatherapy, and reflexology.
It’s not just the UK that offers Reiki in hospitals. For example, at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, Reiki has been offered to staff and patients since 2015 under leadership of a Christian chaplain & Reiki Master.
I have linked PDF brochures from various hospitals and websites at the bottom of this blog post. These brochures clearly list Reiki as one of the complimentary therapies available to patients in the UK and USA.
When a national public health service includes something, it has to pass important thresholds:
1. Reiki must be safe
Hospitals cannot offer treatments that put patients at risk, especially vulnerable patients such as those undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or chronic pain management. Reiki is consistently categorized as one of the safest complementary therapies because it is gentle, non-invasive, and does not interfere with medication or medical devices.
“There are no known adverse effects (or “contra-indications”). Reiki is considered a safe complementary therapy for people with cancer when used alongside usual treatments and practiced by a trained therapist.” – Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Reiki brochure
2. Reiki must be effective enough to justify offering it
The NHS does not offer therapies “just because they’re nice.” Every therapy needs to show clear benefits for patient wellbeing. Reiki is known to help with:
- improved feeling of wellebing
- relaxation
- reduction in stress and muscle tension
- alleviation of anxiety and low mood
- possible reduction of pain and other symptoms
- improved sleep
These are not minor benefits. In modern healthcare, supporting the nervous system is just as important as supporting the physical body.
Why Reiki Is Suitable for Hospitals: It Supports (Not Replaces) Medical Care
Reiki does not replace medicine, treatments, or medical advice. Instead, it enhances the patient experience and supports the body’s capacity to cope with stress and healing.
In the UK, Reiki is understood as a complementary therapy working alongside traditional medical care.
This is very different from how some South Africans view it as esoteric, spiritual, or “extrasensory.” The UK hospital setting strips Reiki of the “new age” image and brings it into a practical, patient-centered space.
Specialized Training for Reiki in NHS Hospitals
One of the clearest signs of legitimacy is that there is a specialized training designed specifically to prepare practitioners to work in NHS hospitals. It is offered by The Reiki Academy London (which is where I received my Reiki training).
The Reiki In The NHS Workshop is one of the modules in the Professional Reiki Practice Diploma. It covers topics that go far beyond a traditional Reiki Level 1 or 2 training, such as:
- anatomy & physiology
- common illnesses
- working with Cancer patients
- dealing with clients with psychological problems, anxiety or trauma
- Working in intensive care and hospices
- communicating with clincial staff
- treating clients with disabilities
- understanding hospital protocols
This level of professionalism is precisely why Reiki is welcomed into hospitals there. It gives medical staff confidence that practitioners are trained, safe, and respectful of clinical standards.
What This Means for South Africans
Reiki is far more mainstream internationally than many people realise. The fact that major NHS hospitals include Reiki in their official brochures and websites is proof that:
- Reiki is not “woo-woo”
- Reiki is not placebo
- Reiki is not fringe
- Reiki is not spiritually exclusive
- Reiki is not incompatible with medicine
- Reiki is safe, regulated, and valued
If it were unsafe or ineffective, it would not be allowed inside the NHS.
In South Africa, we are still catching up but the global movement is clear: Reiki is becoming a respected, structured, health-supporting complementary therapy.
Why I Choose to Share This With My Clients and Students
As a Usui Reiki Master Practitioner who trained in London and someone who teaches Reiki courses, I want people to understand that Reiki is grounded in both tradition and modern practice.
The more South Africans see examples of Reiki being used in medical systems overseas, the more they can trust that their own Reiki journey is rooted in something real, meaningful, and globally recognized.
Reiki works.
Reiki helps.
Reiki supports healing on emotional, mental, and physical levels.
And around the world, hospitals agree.
Reiki in hospitals brochures
