Reiki for Cancer Patients: Gentle Support During Treatment
Introduction: Finding Moments of Peace in the Storm
If you're navigating a cancer diagnosis right now—whether it's you or someone you love—you know that the journey is so much more than doctor's appointments and treatment protocols. It's the anxiety that wakes you up at 3 AM. It's the exhaustion that makes simple tasks feel impossible. It's the loss of control over your own body and life.
Maybe you've heard about Reiki from another patient in the waiting room, or a well-meaning friend suggested it, or you're simply searching for anything that might help you feel a little more like yourself again. If you're here, you're probably curious but also cautious—and that's exactly the right approach.
Let's talk honestly about what Reiki can offer cancer patients, what it absolutely cannot do, and how to use it safely as part of your healing options. By the end of this post, my hope is that you'll understand what Reiki can offer during this difficult time, and whether it feels like something that might support you.
Why Are So Many Cancer Patients Turning to Reiki?
Here’s something that might surprise you: between 20% and 84% of breast cancer patients use some form of complementary therapy during treatment.¹ That’s a huge number, and it’s not because conventional medicine isn’t working—it’s because cancer treatment can be brutal on the whole person.
The medical system is designed to target disease, not the emotional or energetic toll it takes. While your oncologist focuses on the cancer cells, you’re left managing the rest: the fear, exhaustion, side effects, worry for your family, the effort to hold onto a sense of normalcy, and the quiet work of keeping your spirit intact through something unimaginably hard.
That individual search for support is mirrored in the wider shift happening across healthcare itself. The complementary medicine field, which includes Reiki, is seeing remarkable growth in cancer care. It now holds a 24.9% market share in 2024 with a projected annual growth rate of 18.4%.² This isn't just a trend—it reflects a growing understanding that healing requires caring for the whole person, not just the body. That shift is real and tangible: hospitals are adding integrative programs, but the need is outpacing what's available. Many patients tell me they're facing 90-day waitlists just to access Reiki through their cancer center.
Learning From Those Who've Walked This Path
I'm fortunate not to be speaking from firsthand experience as a cancer patient myself. But what led me to Reiki to begin with was watching a family member navigate their diagnosis, and feeling helpless in the face of their struggle. I wanted to do something—anything—to support them through the overwhelming weight of treatment.
In the nearly twenty years since, I’ve worked with many cancer patients and can say with confidence: there’s something here. I’ve seen color return to clients’ faces mid-session. I’ve watched people who once needed to be driven to their appointments eventually drive themselves. Clients have told me they finally slept through the night, or felt hungry again after days of nausea.
These aren't dramatic "miracle cure" stories. They're the quieter shifts that matter deeply when you're in the thick of treatment: feeling a bit more like yourself, reclaiming energy, or finding a brief pause in the constant effort your body is making to heal.
My observations are only one perspective. What matters more are the voices of those who've lived it—cancer survivors who integrated Reiki into their treatment and found it meaningful enough to share.
Survivor Stories Worth Reading
Maria Cooper Gomes, a Reiki Master diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, shared that her anxiety “was off the charts” when she received her treatment plan. She describes Reiki as essential for facing her fear and processing the trauma of the experience, not only during treatment but in the years that followed.
The CURE Today blog features a long-time Reiki practitioner who later faced her own breast cancer diagnosis, wrote that Reiki “soothed me as I painfully struggled through the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.” She valued having a “side-effect-free therapy” when everything else involved more medication.
Vince Gilhool, featured by Penn Medicine, has offered over 6,700 hours of volunteer Reiki sessions since his recovery. He says it’s a privilege to watch patients relax, “even if they can’t explain why.”
Linda Frederick, a survivor who now volunteers at Lowell General Hospital, puts it simply: “You don’t forget that you have cancer… but Reiki helps you cope. It helps you feel comforted, empowered, and supported.”
These stories don't replace clinical evidence, and they're certainly not promises about what Reiki will do for you specifically. They’re honest perspectives from people who’ve walked this path and found something steady, healing, and deeply valuable during one of life's hardest chapters.
So What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a healing practice where a trained practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above your body with the intention of promoting deep relaxation and supporting your body’s natural capacity for rest and restoration.
If that sounds abstract, that’s okay. I go into more detail about how Reiki works and its benefits in my post on Reiki Benefits. For now, the aim is simply to understand what Reiki can offer.
At its core, Reiki gives your nervous system permission to downshift. Whether this happens through “energy work” or simply through being held in compassionate presence doesn’t change the outcome. The relaxation you feel is real. During those 30–60 minutes, you're allowed to just be, without needing to be strong, brave, or positive.
What a Typical Reiki Session Looks Like
30-60 minutes in a quiet, comfortable space
You stay fully clothed (usually lying on a massage table or sitting in a chair)
Gentle hand placement on or near different areas of your body
Most people describe feeling deeply relaxed, warm, or experiencing gentle tingling sensations
Some people fall asleep—which is perfectly fine and actually quite common
It's completely non-invasive. No needles, no medications, no manipulation. Just quiet, intentional presence focused on your well-being. For those who are immunocompromised, sessions can be done hands-off or remotely, offering the same calming and restorative effects without physical contact.
The Real Reasons Cancer Patients Try Reiki
Let's be practical about why people turn to Reiki during cancer treatment. It's not about believing in magic—it's about finding support for very real struggles that conventional medicine doesn't always address.
1. Managing Overwhelming Stress and Anxiety
A cancer diagnosis turns your world upside down. The waiting between scans. The fear before each treatment. The constant mental load of managing appointments, side effects, and an uncertain future.
As I discuss in my post How Reiki Can Help When Life Feels Heavy, our nervous systems can get stuck in survival mode, carrying the weight of constant vigilance even when there's no immediate threat. Research from neuroscience confirms that persistent stress fundamentally alters our physiology—when our nervous system remains in this heightened state too long, it literally forgets how to rest, even when we're safe.
Reiki can create the conditions for the parasympathetic nervous system—your body's rest-and-restore mode—to activate. This physiological shift helps unwind tension and reconnect you with the part of yourself that knows how to soften.
2. Finding Comfort Around Treatment Side Effects
Many patients schedule Reiki sessions strategically around their hardest treatment days:
Before chemotherapy: To feel calmer and more grounded going in
The day after chemo or radiation: When fatigue and nausea hit hardest
During post-surgical recovery: Once your surgical team gives clearance
Mid-cycle during treatment: When you're feeling your absolute worst
Does Reiki make side effects disappear? No. But many patients report feeling more comfortable, less anxious about what's coming, and more able to cope with the challenges ahead.
3. Reclaiming Some Sense of Control
Cancer and cancer treatment strip away your sense of agency. Treatment happens to you. You become a patient, a diagnosis, a collection of side effects to manage.
Adding something like Reiki to your routine (something gentle, something you chose, something that treats you as a whole person) helps many people feel less powerless. The one-on-one attention, the nurturing presence, the quiet space to just exist without demands—that emotional and spiritual support matters deeply.
Let's Talk Honestly About the Research
I believe in giving it to you straight. Reiki’s scientific evidence is still developing. Unlike therapies such as acupuncture or meditation, most Reiki studies are small and limited in design. The scientific community doesn’t yet consider it strongly proven for specific medical outcomes.
But healing isn’t always something that fits neatly into clinical language. As I share in my post Energy Healing and Scientific Evidence: Why Experiential Science Matters, the most meaningful shifts often happen beyond what a lab can measure, like the sudden emotional release, the quiet peace after a session, the sense of lightness without a clear cause.
That said, research is growing. A 2025 meta-analysis in Systematic Reviews examined 11 randomized trials involving more than 660 participants — from cancer patients to surgical patients to healthy adults — and found Reiki significantly improved overall quality of life, with better sleep, reduced fatigue, greater emotional well-being, and a deeper sense of calm.³
What We Can Say Confidently:
✅ Safe: No reported negative effects when used alongside conventional treatment
✅ Well-tolerated: Most patients find sessions pleasant and relaxing
✅ Complementary: Doesn't interfere with chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or other treatments
The Cost Reality and HSA/FSA Coverage
Money matters, especially when you’re already managing medical expenses. Reiki sessions typically range from $75–$150, though some practitioners offer compassionate pricing for cancer patients or discounted packages for ongoing care.
While Reiki isn’t automatically eligible for HSA or FSA coverage under IRS rules, there are situations where it can qualify. Some patients receive partial reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity from their doctor explaining how Reiki supports treatment-related stress, pain, or anxiety. Coverage may also be possible through hospital-based integrative oncology programs or when Reiki is provided by a licensed professional, depending on your state and plan.
Because every HSA or FSA administrator interprets these rules differently, it’s always best to confirm directly with your provider. If cost is a concern, ask about sliding-scale options, community clinics, or cancer support organizations that offer low- or no-cost sessions.
Working With Your Oncology Team Alongside Reiki
The best outcomes happen when everyone supporting your healing is on the same page. Open communication helps ensure Reiki complements your medical treatment safely and effectively. Here’s how to start the conversation:
Start with your oncology team:
Be transparent: "I'm interested in trying Reiki for stress relief and relaxation during treatment. Have any of your other patients used it? Do you see any concerns with my specific situation?"
Ask directly: "Are there any reasons I shouldn't try Reiki given my treatment plan, medications, or current health status?"
Some doctors may be unfamiliar with Reiki or skeptical, and that’s okay. Focus on the stress reduction and relaxation benefits, which most providers already recognize as valuable for improving quality of life.
What to Share With Your Reiki Practitioner
Sharing a few key details helps your practitioner tailor sessions safely and respectfully:
Current treatments (chemotherapy schedule, radiation, or surgery dates)
Any side effects you’re experiencing
Areas of your body that are sensitive or should be avoided (surgical sites, radiation areas, or port locations)
Your energy levels and any physical limitations
Whether you’re immunocompromised (remote session might be recommended)
Coordinating Reiki With Your Treatment Schedule
Strategic timing can make Reiki a more supportive part of your care plan. Always coordinate with your medical team and listen to your body when deciding when to schedule sessions.
Chemotherapy Support
Before treatment: Many patients find Reiki helps them feel calmer and more grounded.
The day after treatment: Can support emotional regulation and help ease anxiety about side effects. If you’re feeling too unwell, it’s best to rest and reschedule.
Mid-cycle: Offers a chance to reset during the more challenging days.
Radiation Therapy
Reiki can be scheduled around your daily radiation appointments.
Some patients prefer sessions on treatment days for grounding, while others find off-days more restorative.
Surgery Recovery
Wait until your surgical team gives explicit clearance.
Once approved, Reiki can gently support post-operative recovery and rest.
Between Treatments
Regular sessions during “off weeks” provide ongoing emotional and stress support.
Important: If you’re feeling too fatigued, immunocompromised, or dealing with an active infection, it’s always okay to postpone a session. Your health and safety come first.
Your Journey, Your Choices
The journey through cancer treatment is one of the hardest things a person can experience. There’s no single “right” way to support yourself, and what helps one person may not resonate with another. That’s completely okay.
Whether Reiki becomes part of your care plan or not, a few guiding principles always apply:
Let complementary practices enhance your healing in the way that feels most supportive to you
Be transparent with your medical team about what you’re exploring
Approach supportive practices realistically; they are meant to enhance comfort and quality of life, not act as cures
Listen to your body and honor what feels genuinely helpful
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to step back
Whatever helps you feel more at ease, whether it’s Reiki, meditation, gentle movement, time in nature, or simply giving yourself permission to rest, may it bring you comfort, lessen your stress, and remind you that you are not alone in this.
You deserve care that treats you as a whole person. You deserve moments of peace. You deserve support.
If you know someone who’s considering their options during cancer treatment and could use another perspective, feel free to share this with them. Sometimes understanding what’s possible is its own kind of comfort.
Footnotes
¹ Source: GVR U.S. CAM Market Report — “The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a significant phenomenon among breast cancer patients, with studies reporting rates ranging from 20% to 84%.”
² Source: Global CAM Market Report — “The cancer segment accounted for a significant market share of 24.9% in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 18.4% during the analysis periods.”
³ Source: 2025 meta-analysis published in Systematic Reviews analyzing 11 randomized controlled trials with over 660 participants.